Recent Posts

31

General Discussion / photo missions

« Last post by Jeff Wingstrom on June 30, 2023, 11:45:57 AM »

Hi all, with this biking habit of mine (now electrically-assisted) I'm spending a lot of time around rights of way whether operating or converted to a path or somewhere in between. If anyone has anything in Chicago(land) that'd be interesting to see a current picture of, post the location and I'll make my way to it for some forum photos. I'm based on the north side near Wrigley, range is city limits/surrounding suburbs. I can also do handlebar mount GoPro video footage. Anybody have any interesting requests?      --Jeff

near Foster

32

General Discussion / Re: Buena

« Last post by TBurke on June 15, 2023, 03:35:12 PM »

The Milwaukee Road engines would work the Buena Yard up to where it became single track to go up the CTA ramp. There was a story where a MILW engine became derailed and a CTA electric engine helped rerail it. The overhead wires extended all the way to Irving Park.

33

General Discussion / Re: Buena

« Last post by Jeff Wingstrom on June 11, 2023, 03:29:56 AM »

Super cool!! The station looms, imposing and moody. Wish there were a shot looking south toward Irving Park; I wonder how far north of Irving MILW locomotives would get.

34

General Discussion / Re: customer spreadsheet

« Last post by raisin on June 04, 2023, 10:32:52 PM »

Wow, that area looks a little different these days. Thanks for posting!

35

General Discussion / Re: customer spreadsheet

« Last post by TBurke on June 04, 2023, 04:43:01 PM »

Along the Milwaukee Road C&E Line between Belden and Webster on the east side was Richardson Chemical. North of Belden were coal dealers.

Richardson Chemical lasted at least as long as 1979 as a rail served customer. It was gone by 1985 when I started photographing the line.

Here's a view of the plant being demolished to make way for townhomes.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/20606052648/in/photolist-xoTpxN-xEExk5-LiHihj-YvHRsN-xG7WPa

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/20784606302/in/photolist-xoTpxN-xEExk5-LiHihj-YvHRsN-xG7WPa

South of Webster and north of Clybourn you had a Lakin tire facility and a liquor distributor on the east side. On the west side was the Birk Brothers Brewery.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/29080135950/in/photolist-xoTpxN-xEExk5-LiHihj-YvHRsN-xG7WPa

36

General Discussion / Re: customer spreadsheet

« Last post by TBurke on June 04, 2023, 04:30:34 PM »

I had to dig up an old post but I found what you are looking for. Here is a spreadsheet I put together of all time C&NW and UP customers on the Harvard Subdivision.

https://sites.google.com/view/chicago-north-westernunion-pac?usp=sharing

37

General Discussion / Re: customer spreadsheet

« Last post by raisin on June 03, 2023, 09:51:07 AM »

I posted quite a few scanned track diagrams with listings of customers over the years on the former Milwaukee Road and some C&NW lines in this Flickr album-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/albums/72157715114878692

Thanks, Tom, I'll check it out. What I'm most interested in is the Corner of Belden and Lakewood and what the buildings there may have been for (and if they used rail service).

38

General Discussion / Re: customer spreadsheet

« Last post by TBurke on June 01, 2023, 04:47:10 PM »

I posted quite a few scanned track diagrams with listings of customers over the years on the former Milwaukee Road and some C&NW lines in this Flickr album-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/albums/72157715114878692

39

General Discussion / customer spreadsheet

« Last post by raisin on May 27, 2023, 11:50:59 PM »

Hi all,

Years ago, I have a vague recollection of someone posting a spreadsheet here that listed all the known rail customers (most long gone) along the rail lines that this website is devoted to. Does anyone know where I could find that sheet?

I'm particularly interested in the Lakewood Line as I've just recently moved to a place just a block or so away from the old line. Thanks!

40

General Discussion / Re: Buena

« Last post by TBurke on May 24, 2023, 07:48:19 AM »

Very cool. I have never seen pictures of it before.