MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Canadian National Railway Co. next week will unveil the three-year, $100 million renovation to its Johnston Yard freight car switching facility in South Memphis. The railroad will commemorate its massive investment of time and money on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at the yard, 297 Rivergate Road, off Horn Lake Road.

– Chuck Hinrichs

Long, long ago… Oct. 2, 1960, marked the end of the steam era on the Illinois Central Railroad. On that date 4-8-2 2613 pulled a round trip excursion from Louisville, KY, to Dawson Springs, KY. After the trip, the big Paducah-built 4-8-2 was returned to storage at Paducah. The Kentucky Railway Museum tried to save 2613, but the road was unwilling to donate the locomotive. Instead the IC offered to sell 2613 for its scrap value. The museum didn’t have the cash, and 2613 went to scrap.