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Chicago Switching => General Discussion => Topic started by: chuck on January 29, 2018, 01:53:09 PM

Title: The Lyons Belt - A Little OT
Post by: chuck on January 29, 2018, 01:53:09 PM

Hey everyone, Happy New Year!

Things are a bit slow so I thought I would ask about something just a bit outside of Chicago... The Lyons Belt.
I have noticed that slowly much of The Lyons Belt around Lyons and McCook is vanishing.  I believe this was an actual railroad called "The Lyons Belt" that later was taken over by the Santa Fe.

Does anyone have any information, photos or track diagrams of this line?  I know it went along first avenue to the quarry, but it branches off towards the former Reynolds Plant and Pilet Brothers.  I always remember seeing the IHB switching those industries, so not sure where that branch went.

Just wondering about a local switching branch I grew up around but know nothing about!

Thanks,
Chuck

Title: Re: The Lyons Belt - A Little OT
Post by: themats on January 30, 2018, 04:35:41 PM

I've been on the hunt for pictures of the Lyons Belt in operation, but so far have only seen a couple of pictures.

Here is my album of what was left back in 2010:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@N04/albums/72157623790934056 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@N04/albums/72157623790934056)

Rumor has it that many years ago, before 1st Ave cut along the Des Plaines north of Ogden, that the line kept going north and connected to the CB&Q.

It's really a shame that with Reynolds and the Chemical plant on the east side of 1st Ave being torn down and recently redeveloped, none of those buildings are served by rail.  It's all trucks.

Mike

Title: Re: The Lyons Belt - A Little OT
Post by: chuck on January 31, 2018, 10:31:36 AM

Thanks Mike, I remember those photos from years ago!

I read about the line going all the way to the CB&Q via 1st Avenue, but according to Historic Aerials it does not look like that ever existed.

I agree, it is shocking that none of those new warehouses are rail served.