This book portrays the Illinois Central Railroad from the early 1960s through the end of the 20th Century. It is a look at the IC from the final years of Wayne Johnston's administration through the 1972 merger with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, to the dismantling of the Illinois Central Gulf system during the 1980s and finally to the ICs resurgence as a successful and profitable railroad. The IC/GM&O merger is presented here with regard to the effect it had upon what once was and currently is the Illinois Central. This volume will cover the northern lines of the IC, while the next book will deal with the southern lines of the railroad.