This photograph portrays an unusual rail consist: Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad's Engine No. 202, a 2-6-2 type heading the "pay-car" in Chicago. In this era the railroad's tracks were being elevated throughout the metropolitan area.

One of the Illinois Central's de luxe passenger trains; the "Daylight Special" train No. 19 southbound, stands in the Central Station in Chicago - as passengers entrain - prior to the departure hour : 10:02 AM. This train (and its companion, No. 20 northbound) operated between Chicago, Springfield, and St. Louis. The rail distance was 294.17 miles; and the schedule was 7 hours and 44 minutes: equivalent to a running time of about 40 miles per hour. This photograph was taken in the summer of 1911. This was a modern train in that era - cited in the Official Guide of the Railways (June 1916) as: All steel and electric-lighted. The consist included: chair cars and coaches, cafe-club car and Observation Parlor car.

One of Illinois Central Railroad's early suburban trains - headed by Engine No. 1050 - a Pacific type 4-6-2 locomotive with a consist of five handcrafted wooden cars, having open platforms and under-body truss rods - leaving Central Station in Chicago. At the turn of the century the Illinois Central Railroad was providing commuter service.