tb_chictrans_1202_01
We're looking southwest at the point where the Chicago Transparent Products spur track leaves the UP/Metra North Line and begins its U-shaped arc to reach the factory. Across the tracks was the point at which a former C&NW branch ventured down from the viaduct, crossing Clybourn at grade, to access such industries as Cotter & Company (Tru-Value parent) in the Deering Industrial District. The C&NW even maintained a dedicated Deering yard near the location of this picture, off Diversey, to handle the many freight customers. Stewart-Warner Company on Diversey was a big shipper for the C&NW and Milwaukee Road which shared access to its plants. By the early 1980s the area began a transformation from industrial to retail use with strip shopping centers obliterating most traces of this former maze of industrial tracks and factories.
tb_chictrans_1202_01
We're looking southwest at the point where the Chicago Transparent
Products spur track leaves the UP/Metra North Line and begins its
U-shaped arc to reach the factory. Across the tracks was the point
at which a former C&NW branch ventured down from the viaduct,
crossing Clybourn at grade, to access such industries as Cotter &
Company (Tru-Value parent) in the Deering Industrial District. The
C&NW even maintained a dedicated Deering yard near the location
of this picture, off Diversey, to handle the many freight
customers. Stewart-Warner Company on Diversey was a big shipper for
the C&NW and Milwaukee Road which shared access to its plants.
By the early 1980s the area began a transformation from industrial
to retail use with strip shopping centers obliterating most traces
of this former maze of industrial tracks and factories.
tb_chictrans_1202_02
The radius on this curve is so sharp that only four-axle locomotives can handle the job, such as MP-15s, according to a UP crew. Note the unusual landscaping around an industrial spur with new condos and townhomes in the background.
tb_chictrans_1202_02
The radius on this curve is so sharp that only four-axle locomotives can handle the job, such as MP-15s, according to a UP crew. Note the unusual landscaping around an industrial spur with new condos and townhomes in the background.
tb_chictrans_1202_03
A UP crew does some maintenance work on the track on this cold, winter day in Chicago, where a crosswalk connects the parking lot to the condos.
tb_chictrans_1202_03
A UP crew does some maintenance work on the track on this cold, winter day in Chicago, where a crosswalk connects the parking lot to the condos.
tb_chictrans_1202_04
Another view of the UP Hi-Rail truck used in Maintenance of Way (MOW) service on this late December day.
tb_chictrans_1202_04
Another view of the UP Hi-Rail truck used in Maintenance of Way (MOW) service on this late December day.
tb_chictrans_1202_05
This view looks north toward the new condos showing again the 180 degree turn the spur makes.
tb_chictrans_1202_05
This view looks north toward the new condos showing again the 180 degree turn the spur makes.
tb_chictrans_1202_06
Hoppers, presumably loaded with plastic pellets, are unloaded at this spot by Chicago Transparent Products. At one time there were two, parallel tracks in use for freight cars.
tb_chictrans_1202_06
Hoppers, presumably loaded with plastic pellets, are unloaded at this spot by Chicago Transparent Products. At one time there were two, parallel tracks in use for freight cars.
tb_chictrans_1202_07
We're looking northeast towards the factory. A mangled bumping post keeps cars from going too far. Perhaps one of the graffiti taggers was a fan of the 1990s English dream-pop band Lush!
tb_chictrans_1202_07
We're looking northeast towards the factory. A mangled bumping post
keeps cars from going too far. Perhaps one of the graffiti taggers
was a fan of the 1990s English dream-pop band Lush!
tb_chictrans_1202_08
A look at the front of Chicago Transparent Products on Paulina St. Further up Paulina, north of nearby Diversey Blvd., the C&NW crossed at grade to reach a Lakin facility and others close to Ashland Ave. Tracks are still in place as of the summer of 2003 but disconnected at Paulina from the main line by another condo project going up.
tb_chictrans_1202_08
A look at the front of Chicago Transparent Products on Paulina St.
Further up Paulina, north of nearby Diversey Blvd., the C&NW
crossed at grade to reach a Lakin facility and others close to
Ashland Ave. Tracks are still in place as of the summer of 2003 but
disconnected at Paulina from the main line by another condo project
going up.