IC/ICG Nonconnah/Johnston Yard

IC Nonconnah Yard from 3rd Street overpass in the 1940s

Bob Tomb Collection

A million-dollar reconstruction program at Nonconnah, renamed Johnston Yard after Mr. Wayne A. Johnston, IC President, was completed in April, 1949, permitting the elimination of car riders and adding substantially to the yard's operating efficiency. With the completion of the 1949 rail-laying program, the operation of heavier freight trains at higher speeds made possible over the low-grade "Valley Route" between Memphis and Jackson, Mississippi, via Lambert, Gwin and Yazoo City. This allowed the IC to cut the running time of its Chicago- New Orleans hot-shot freight train, the CN-3, to thirty-six hours--the fastest run ever scheduled between the two cities. Renamed Harrison Yard in 2009 after retiring CNIC President Hunter Harrison.

A cab ride by Steve Forrest and David Johnston into Johnston Yard aboard a Cotton Belt SD40 , 4/73.

David Johnston Photos

GM&O GP30 #503 leads a southbound freight into Johnston Yard, 10/19/75.

David Johnston Photo