Hello everyone,
I’m very intrigued by a supposed abandoned spur line of the former C&NW main line in Evanston, IL. The area in question is the city’s west side, near the high school. I have noticed some supposed former rights of way near it and many other evidence of an abandoned line. Yet I have located minimal information about it from any source. Does anyone have any further knowledge of this line? Any help would be much obliged. [8D]
We called it the Weber Subdivision. I’m sure it had grander days in my pre-history, but it was still in use as an industrial line back in the 1970s. The biggest industry I can remember specifically is National Wax Company (don’t know where it was exactly, except that it was on this line). The line went from a connection at Canal (there used to be a tower there–you might see some evidence of the two bridges that used to cross Green Bay Road for the wye at the end) southwestward past Weber Yard (crossing at Oakton Street) toward the Valley line, from which it went to Mayfair, parallel to the Valley Line.
Didn’t it also serve the high school power plant?
Perhaps before my time. I don’t recall handling any coal or hopper cars on the few days I worked the Weber Transfer (never worked the line northeast of Weber Yard).
I was remiss in forgetting to welcome you to the Forum! Does your nom de screen reflect your taste in music?
I actually enjoy a massive amount of music. I sing too. [:)]
Perhaps easier to identify from above. To the south it appears part of this line is still in.
Very interesting, although the line you could be referring to is likely the Skokie Swift branch. This whole mystery is very odd to exist as such: why must it be a mystery? Wouldn’t an abandoned line located in one of the world’s most prestigious and well-known urban areas be heavily documented? And yet I can’t locate ANY official information on it…
Until recently, the tracks were in place from Touhy Ave - South, but they have been removed within the past year.