Railroad owned car ferries - Classic Trains Magazine

The Illinois Central had several ferry operations. One ferry crossed the Ohio River between Paducah, KY, and Brookport, IL. This ferry operated until early 1918 when the newly-formed USRA dictated that the IC move its trains to the new Paducah & Illinois Railroad bridge at Metropolis, IL. Also, the IC operated a car ferry across the Ohio River between Cairo, IL, and East Cairo, KY. This ferry was abandoned in 1889 when the Cairo bridge was completed. And, until the late 1960s (or early 1970s) the IC still operated a ferry across the Mississippi River to connect with Helena/West Helena, AR.