The Legend of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad

[Verse] Down by the tracks where the wild grass grows, In the heart of the prairie where the cold wind blows, There's a tale folks tell, from dusk till dawn, 'Bout the mighty steam trains that once rolled on. [Verse 2] Smoke filled the skies, with a whistle's cry, Through cornfields and hills, they'd say goodbye. Movin' freight and folks, on iron veins, Lay the backbone of dreams and old-time trains. [Chorus] Oh, the Illinois Central Gulf, in the steam era's time, With fire in its belly and a steel-hearted grind. Echoes of the past, in each locomotive's chime, The legend lives on, in the railroad's line. [Verse 3] Engineers with hearts of coal-stained pride, Riding strong and free on the steam-filled tide. From station to station, through night and day, Guiding those giants, down the iron highway. [Verse 4] They’d pull into towns with the roar of steel, Bringing goods and news, like a spinning wheel. Children would wave, and dreaming hearts would sigh, Wishing for the whistle on the evening sky. [Chorus] Oh, the Illinois Central Gulf, in the steam era's time, With fire in its belly and a steel-hearted grind. Echoes of the past, in each locomotive's chime, The legend lives on, in the railroad's line.