ILLINOIS CENTRAL GULF CONNECTIONS AT BENTON IL
The MP operated through Benton IL on both it's former Gorham-Benton Branch, and the former C&EI main tracks to Chicago IL. The Gorham-Benton line had been upgraded to main line status after the purchase of the C&EI in 1967. This line became the main route for all Chicago-Texas traffic.
MP had interchanges with ICG at Benton...both off of the C&EI, just south of the junction switch, and on the MP Gorham line. The MP engines stored at West Frankfort were fueled and sanded at ICG's Benton yard by utilizing the connecting track at Benton from the Gorham-Benton MP trackage. Additionally, the ICG interchanged coal with MP to be delivered to Joppa IL.
I have an interchange setup with ICG at Benton and have 80 Accurail 70 ton triple hoppers setup for interchange service.