Forest Park Branch

[chuck]

Kind of OT... The IC/ICG/CCP/CN Forest Park Branch has been completely pulled up.  It was originally just pulled up from the main to Cermak.  Sometime in the past month the line has been completely removed.  Only rail left are two sidings which I assume are owned by the industries.

[Brianbobcat]

This is the line that parallels the Blue Line and the Eisenhower, correct?  So the whole line from Roosevelt & California to Parklane Avenue in Franklin Park is removed?  What about the Ferrara Candy Company?  They look to be a large rail customer judging from Google Maps.

[haggar]

Brianbobcat,
You're thinking of the former B&O Altenheim division along the Ike and the former Soo Line up to Schiller Park. This was heavily used by the WC.  I've read that the line has not seen rail traffic in some time.  What Chuck is talking about is a branchline off the former IC/CCP (current CN) line that starts near 26th and Harlem.  This ran north right through the North Riverside Mall and most recently served a couple of paper industries sandwiched in between the many cemeteries in the area. Previously this line ran further north along Circle Avenue and connected with the previously mentioned Altenheim division. I used to visit this branch a lot when I was gathering pics and measurements for my Wisconsin Central boxcar decal project. Only caught them switching once. Didn't get pics though. Brakeman said that the job also switched out the industrial park in Carol Stream. On Bing maps birdseye view the line is still intact and there is one boxcar at the paper industry spur.

A pic of some action on this line:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_lastovich/1173785569/


Joe

[chuck]

Yes, Joe is correct.  I always liked this branch due to the ancient jointed rail!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/forest_park_branch/pool/

[haggar]

Chuck,
Thanks for posting that flickr pool.  Found a couple of others.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_lastovich/3250992885/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_lastovich/3177286503/

Joe

[themats]

I've got an album of the ROW from the IC main north to just south of Roosevelt, and then west on the spur to nearly Des Plaines.  No trains, but lots of ROW.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@N04/sets/72157630013881568/

Mike

[TBurke]

Glad you were able to get out there and get those photos before it is all gone.  Makes me wonder seeing all of those online customers why CN did not try to hustle more to save or build the business vs. abandoning it.  I like the photo of the rail joint suspended over ballast with no supporting tie under it.