Springfield, Illinois was the headquarters of the Chicago & Illinois Midland, which at its peak ran from Peoria to Taylorville, Illinois. Between Avenue Tower in Springfield and Cimic, Illinois it used trackage rights over 15 miles of the Illinois Central. This view looks south from the Grand Avenue grade crossing at the road's main yard and shops in downtown Springfield. The crossing of the Norfolk & Western (former Wabash) is just behind the camera; the signals in the foreground are the home signals for the crossing. At the right are the C&IM shops.
Today the road is part of the Genessee & Wyoming family, operating under the name Illinois and Midland Railroad.