CN Chicago Subdivision: Chicago – Champaign
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:09 amWelcome to the CN Chicago Subdivision: a busy passenger and freight mainline from Downtown Chicago to Champaign, Illinois. This historic corridor was once part of the fabled Illinois Central Railroad, the mainline from Chicago to New Orleans. Today, it continues serving as an important mainline run by the Canadian National Railway (CN), transporting a mixed fleet of long-haul freight and passenger trains via Amtrak into the Illinois Prairielands.
Run Amtrak's Illini, Saluki services, and City of New Orleans, or run CN freight consists. The route captures the essence of Illinois railroading: flat terrain, fast mainlines, and nonstop action.
It took about a year to build the track from Chicago to Gilman, IL. Track laying should be done before this year is out.
Run Amtrak's Illini, Saluki services, and City of New Orleans, or run CN freight consists. The route captures the essence of Illinois railroading: flat terrain, fast mainlines, and nonstop action.
It took about a year to build the track from Chicago to Gilman, IL. Track laying should be done before this year is out.
