tb_deeringashland_12282004_01
This perspective shot looks southeast from the Ashland Avenue bridge across the former Milwaukee Road Deering Line with the Gutmann Tannery building in the background. The two tracks visible on the right in this picture represent the longest stretch of isolated Deering Line rails left intact. In 2004 brush and debris were cleared from the right of way between the Salvation Army store and the Chicago River, exposing once again these tracks. The track on the right was a spur that went into the Lakin & Sons tire yard while the track on the left was the main line which continued through the gate and the Lakin tire yard, eventually crossing Webster St. by Gutmann Tannery. Gutmann Tannery was served by the Milwaukee Road's Deering Line and is still in operation as of 2004 despite gentrification of the area.
tb_deeringashland_12282004_01
This perspective shot looks southeast from the Ashland Avenue
bridge across the former Milwaukee Road Deering Line with the
Gutmann Tannery building in the background. The two tracks visible
on the right in this picture represent the longest stretch of
isolated Deering Line rails left intact. In 2004 brush and debris
were cleared from the right of way between the Salvation Army store
and the Chicago River, exposing once again these tracks. The track
on the right was a spur that went into the Lakin & Sons tire yard
while the track on the left was the main line which continued
through the gate and the Lakin tire yard, eventually crossing
Webster St. by Gutmann Tannery. Gutmann Tannery was served by the
Milwaukee Road's Deering Line and is still in operation as of 2004
despite gentrification of the area.
tb_deeringashland_12282004_02
From the opposite side of the Art Deco Ashland Avenue bridge we're looking north towards Medill St. The underpass was used by the Milwaukee Raad's Deering Line to reach customers all the way up towards Diversey Boulevard at one time. The Wendy's restaurant sits where a pair of team tracks once were. The isolated segment of Deering Line tracks continues under the bridge but stop abruptly at the gate. The City of Chicago purchased the land to the left or west from the Milwaukee Road in the early 1980s when the Deering Line was cut back to the bridge.
tb_deeringashland_12282004_02
From the opposite side of the Art Deco Ashland Avenue bridge we're
looking north towards Medill St. The underpass was used by the
Milwaukee Raad's Deering Line to reach customers all the way up
towards Diversey Boulevard at one time. The Wendy's restaurant sits
where a pair of team tracks once were. The isolated segment of
Deering Line tracks continues under the bridge but stop abruptly at
the gate. The City of Chicago purchased the land to the left or
west from the Milwaukee Road in the early 1980s when the Deering
Line was cut back to the bridge.
tb_lakewoodgondola_122804_01
On this cold, grey December 29, 2004 day business is strong for CP Rail on the remnants of the former C&E and Deering Lines. Space was so tight on Finkl Steel's spur that another gondola of scrap metal had to be spotted on the C&E track just north of the C&E/Deering junction in Kingsbury St. A tank car was spotted at Peerless Confectionary, two bulkhead flatcars full of lumber were being unloaded on Cherry St. by Big Bay Lumber, and General Iron had what appeared to be a dozen or more gondolas placed on the siding and main track off Kingsbury. A total of 18 freight cars along these old Milwaukee Road tracks!
tb_lakewoodgondola_122804_01
On this cold, grey December 29, 2004 day business is strong for CP
Rail on the remnants of the former C&E and Deering Lines. Space
was so tight on Finkl Steel's spur that another gondola of scrap
metal had to be spotted on the C&E track just north of the
C&E/Deering junction in Kingsbury St. A tank car was spotted at
Peerless Confectionary, two bulkhead flatcars full of lumber were
being unloaded on Cherry St. by Big Bay Lumber, and General Iron
had what appeared to be a dozen or more gondolas placed on the
siding and main track off Kingsbury. A total of 18 freight cars
along these old Milwaukee Road tracks!