I came across this image recently and it was labeled as “The Green Diamond in Ponchatoula”. I have seen photographs of this Illinois Central train before, but didn’t remember it ever running through Ponchatoula (in Louisiana). Researching the train, I learned that it only ran between Chicago and St. Louis. So digging further yet, I learned that this trainset eventually ceased operation as the Green Diamond, and was renamed the Miss Lou. This new train operated between Jackson, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. Read on below for further details.

The Green Diamond was a five-unit articulated trainset (each truck supported the ends of two cars). The problem with this arrangement is that the consist was fixed . . . couldn’t be added to, thus couldn’t handle the additional traffic as the train became popular. Therefore, management decided to retire this trainset as the Green Diamond, and transferred that name to a conventional train with separate locomotives and cars.

The Green Diamond trainset was built in 1936 by Pullman-Standard and powered by Electro-Motive Corporation with a single 1200 H.P. engine. The four cars it pulled were a baggage/mail, two coaches, and a diner/lounge/observation car. The train operated between 1936–1947. After it’s discontinuance as the Green Diamond, the train set was shipped to the ICRR’s shops at Paducah, Kentucky for a complete overhaul. The train emerged still in its two-tone green, but with the Green Diamond names completely removed. It then re-entered service on April 27, 1947, as the Miss Lou.

The trainset was finally retired on August 8, 1950, and sold for scrap. Unfortunately I don’t have the name of the photographer, or date of this image. Here are a couple links with more detailed information about this trainset: Illinois Central 121 (Wikipedia) and Green Diamond Train (no longer extant) – Chicago IL (Living New Deal)