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Gateway Western – A Regional in Transition documents the troubled and challenging history of an important segment of Midwestern railroading. The result of years of research, this book covers the Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City lines of the former Illinois Central Gulf (originally Chicago & Alton/Gulf, Mobile & Ohio) as they were spun off in the late 1980s. The first attempt was Chicago, Missouri & Western, that quickly ran into financial difficulty. With these important rail transportation hubs and Amtrak service between Chicago and St. Louis in jeopardy, a combination of events brought Santa Fe and others to the table and Gateway Western was created. Authors Ryan Crawford, James E. Lewnard, and Matthew Freix share the history of both regionals (Chicago, Missouri & Western and Gateway Western) in this new book containing more than 200 pages. A wealth of color photos take the reader across the system, show the equipment, and tell the story of this interesting chapter in Midwest railroading. The book includes coverage of Amtrak, Kansas City Southern, Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and other roads that were associated with this regional operation. 

8.5 x 11 Hardcover, 208 Pages

By Ryan Crawford, James E. Lewnard and Matthew Freix

Table of Contents:

1             Creation of CM&W

2              St. Louis District

3              Springfield District

4              Carrollton District

5              Kansas City District

6              CM&W Diesel and Freight Car Roster

7              Southern Pacific Initiates Operations

8              Gateway Western Introduction

9              Sub 1: Roodhouse, Ill., to Godfrey, Ill.

10           Sub 2: Roodhouse, Ill., to Mexico, Mo.

11           Sub 3: Mexico, Mo. to Rock Creek Jct. (KC)

12           Sub 4: Jacksonville, Ill., to Murrayville, Ill.

13           Sub 5: Mexico, Mo., to Fulton, Mo.

14           Sub 6: Roodhouse, Ill., to Cockrell, Ill., (Springfield)

15           Sub 7: Godfrey, Ill., to E. St. Louis, Ill.

16           Gateway Western Diesel and Freight Car Roster