Author Archives: Ron Copher

May 12 1961 Unseasonably warm day  in southern Illinois, threat of severe weather. Merchandise traffic heavy for this time of year. Looks to be a record year for US manufacturing. There is talk about the new interstate is to parallel the LE&S Railroad. “Runaway by Del Shannon is playing on the AM only radio, Cubs loss to  Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 to 2. The Dinning car serving River King Grilled Hamburgers. 19 employees needed. The personal department reports a new hire, named Dennis Weber will graduate High School on this date and go to work for the road that night.

March 17, 1962 on the Illinois Division, It rained in Southern Illinois that day. I doubt if it will on the LE&S. Coal business is down some Alco’s have migrated north for a awhile.  Dining car crew has decided to serve Fast Mail Pizza from the Vault Depot. This is the weekend of the Lacrosse Train Show downtown with the session at 4pm, you should have plenty of time to attend the show.

Wisconsin winter is raging outside, it is a warn spring day on the Illinois Division of the LE&S. The railroad will require 17 or more operators. Every session is thrilling, exciting, different……well you get the idea. Pizza from the Vault.

The railroad will require 17 or more operators, as is tradition dining car will be serving Spaghetti and Meatballs

Dining Car open,  Date is September 10 1961. 18 Assignments to fill St.Louis DS, Peoria DS, Anderson Yard, YM, Depot Job, East end Switch, West end Switch, Alton YM, Alton Switch, Peoria YM, 2 NYC Pool Crews, 2 LE&S Passenger Pool Crews, 3 St.Louis Freight Pool Crews, 3 Peoria Freight Pool Crews and 1 on the extra list.

Pot Luck Dinner Husband & Wife, Girlfriend, BFF , Anybody or just yourself.  RiverRail Party/OPS session on LE&S. Contact LE&S management for info on dinner. The LE&S will provide the meat portion of the meal.

LE&S will host a rare evening operating session account Adam Daggendash home on leave from the Marines. Doors open at 6 PM. Club Car service. Sorry for the short notice, a recent idea.

Dining Car Special Pizza from the Vault

Lake Erie and Southern Returns, 1963 again, Pizza from the Vault