Riley... Welcome aboard RP.Net and thanks for posting this great shot of 35Z working its way down the Elston-Demun connection! I don't believe there are any other photos in the database at this CP, so this (and your other photo) are welcome additions. Now, here's a little information about this place that you and others may find interesting. This connection is relatively new and sees a moderate amount of tonnage. It was built in the mid 60's following the N&W-NKP-Wabash merger/lease to effect a direct connection between Decatur, IL (and points west) and Muncie, IN (and points east). The new DEMUN (DEcatur-MUNcie) connection eventually doomed all through traffic on the former NKP (Cloverleaf) between Frankfort and St. Louis as well as through traffic on the former NKP (LE&W) between Lafayette and Gibson City, IL. When built, the CP controlling the Wabash side of the new connection was called West Demun while the CP controlling the NKP side was called East Demun. Both CP's were controlled by (former Wabash) dispatchers in Decatur. The CP names were changed in the late 90's, and thus, East Demun became Elston and West Demun simply became Demun. In conjunction with the new Demun connection, TCS and block signals were eventually installed between Altamont (a 24/7 manned interlocking station on the south side of Lafayette) and Frankfort (WY Tower) and this was also controlled from Decatur. By the early 90's, Altamont was long gone and the block signal system was removed from service between Dayton and Frankfort when traffic was at an all time low of 2-4 trains per day. Traffic has increased significantly from those days and this segment is currently dispatched by Track Authority from Decatur.
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