Illinois Central 121

Green Diamond
The Green Diamond in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Milwaukee Road depot April 24, 1936.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderPullman-Standard
Build date1936
Specifications
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity725 US gal (604 imp gal; 2,740 L)
Prime moverWinton 201-A
Engine typeV16 Diesel
Cylinders16
Performance figures
Power output1,200 hp (890 kW)
Career
OperatorsIllinois Central Railroad
Official nameIC 121
NicknamesTobacco Worm
LocaleNorth America
Last run28 February 1947
RetiredAugust 8, 1950
DispositionSold for scrap

Illinois Central 121 (IC #121) was a diesel streamliner built in 1936 by Pullman-Standard and powered by Electro-Motive Corporation, which was used by the Illinois Central Railroad on the Green Diamond.[1] Its fixed five-car consist was also the end of an era; the popularity of the early streamliners was their undoing, because the trains could not be lengthened or shortened to handle varying loads. It was the last streamliner built with the power car articulated with the train; future streamliners featured a matched but separable locomotive. The train was painted in a two-tone green livery, "Cypress Green" on the nose and below the window sills with "Cedar Green" above, separated by an aluminum strip. Extensive aluminum trim was applied.

  1. ^ Mann, Charles F.A. (17 September 1935). "Most Powerful Diesel Ready for Rail Service". The Meriden Daily Journal. Retrieved 28 March 2012.