Tracks Serving General Motors Corporation (Central Foundry Division) at Tilton – 2.5 Miles South of Danville, Illinois
$450.00
A private sidetrack agreement between the New York Central and the General Motors Central Foundry.
1 in stock
Description
General Motors Central Foundry, outside Tilton, Illinois, was established in 1943 under a government contract to provide truck axles during World War II. GM acquired the property after the war concluded and continued to expand it to manufacture commercial auto parts – employing around 3,000 people near its peak (more than the city of Tilton). The plant ceased operations and permanently closed in 1995.
This ephemeral track agreement between General Motors and the New York Central Railway reflects better times in the decades after World War II. A large blueprint dated 1954 highlights line ownership between the railroad (red) and GM (green). Property lines, buildings, and roads are carefully detailed. One interesting feature is a block of text that notes “Danger – Not Room Enough here to Clear Man on Cars.”
A copy of the ten-page document dictating the terms of use is stapled in the upper left corner. Handwritten text on the front cover (stapled to the verso) indicates the agreement was canceled in 1969 and this example was a copy for the original New York Central local registry file.
Map Details
Publication Date: 1954
Author: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway Office of Division Engineer
Sheet Width (in): 23.5
Sheet Height (in): 18
Condition: B
Condition Description: A copy of a cancelled side track agreement between New York Central and General Motors. A tattered blue paper cover is stapled to ten page document and a folding map (size given). Moderate edge wear including tears and creased corners. The map shows heavy repairs with old cellophane tape and numerous manuscript updates in colored pencil. About good condition overall.
$450.00
1 in stock