The section of the GTW east of Western Avenue is, for all intents and purposes, abandoned.
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Doesn’t CN run on it?
Rich
Maybe a better way of putting it is that the portion of the one-time passenger route between the B&OCT/NS “Western Avenue Corridor” and the former C&WI along 49th St is no longer connected at either end and the rails have been removed from some of the right-of-way. CN traffic between the GTW and other CN lines generally moves via the former EJ&E. The portion between the Elsdon yard site and Western Avenue is part of the CSX lease. There is a connection to BNSF’s Corwith yard at Elsdon. The ROW to Western (S. Leavitt) is shared by the CTA’s Orange line.
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Ahh, of course, no track, no run trains. LOL. I should have figured that out. Thanks, rcdrye. CN using the former EJ&E track runs right across the edge of my golf course - duh. I must be sleeping sitting up this morning. Thanks again, rcdrye.
Rich
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Several years ago, I purchased a DVD titled AT&SF in Chicago. It is a slide show presented by John Szwajkart, a noted railfan, author and photographer. I happened to be watching the slide show yesterday, and I found some very nice photos of a C&WI switcher in action. Here are a few.
The first is a black and white photo of a C&WI switcher hauling a string of 3 heavyweight commuter cars to Dearborn Station.
The next photo is another black and white of a C&WI switcher at Dearborn Station with a heavyweight coach in tow.
The third photo is a closeup of three heavyweight C&WI coaches.
In the fourth photo, one in color, is a C&WI switcher and car on the Dolton mainline at 80th Street on the south side of Chicago.
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Except for the combine in the station which appears to have an arched roof (it might be the “newspaper car”) all of the photos are of Stilwell coaches on the C&WI’s suburban trains to Dolton, just over the city limits at 138th St. C&WI’s coaches matched the Stilwell cars used by the Erie in New Jersey. All of C&WI’s diesels were Alco RS1s. C&WI had some 2-6-2Ts and 2-6-0 tender engines that were used for the suburban service before the RS1s.
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As always, thank you for that information on the Stillwell cars. On my layout, I do have a pair of C&WI RS1s to do switching chores at Dearborn Station.
Rich
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A couple of photos of the C&WI Depot at Dolton, IL. It was actually shared by C&WI and C&EI. It was torn down in 1970.
Rich
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The combine in both photos is car 40, the “newspaper car”. Like on many Chicago area railroads, newspapers were sent by commuter trains to deliver the papers to suburban news agencies for delivery.
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On the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway here in the U.K. the morning train can be seen delivering newspapers to houseowners alongside the line.
A toot on the whistle on approaching a house the engine driver would then throw the newspaper into the garden. The houseowner would then be seen picking up his paper.
David
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Thanks, rcdrye, I wondered about that.
Rich
Very interesting, thanks for that post.
Rich
Rich thank you again for the post ,your knowledge is unbelievable I love reading these and learning from you.
Chuck
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Thanks. There is much to know, and I really know so little, but rcdrye is is my trusty backup man
Rich
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A track diagram for Dolton Junction.
Source: The Position Light: PHOTOS: A Brief Ride Through DOLTON JUNCTION
An Amtrak Hoosier State train crossing the junction. The train is headed north to Chicago on the old C&WI Dolton Line. The lead locomotive is crossing the old BOCT tracks, and the second locomotive is crossing the IHB tracks.
Source: Dolton interlocking to benefit from $19 million CREATE grant | Trains Magazine
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The tower in the C&WI Dolton station photo is likely for crossing gate control.
The February 1948 official guide station list shows C&EI and C&WI sharing the Dolton station. The separate C&EI station was probably closed in a depression-era move.
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Thanks, rcdrye, I wondered about that. Glad you posted that info.
Rich
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A stately visitor to Dearborn! Back when women AND passenger cars wore skirts! Fancy a spot o’ tea?
London North Eastern Railway - Dearborn Station by d.w.davidson, on Flickr
THIS album of 263 photos documents a great deal of C&WI facilities. Worth a look!
Cheers, Ed
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Ed, that is a great photo of Little Englewood Station. Thanks for posting.
I need some quality time to go through that C&WI album.
Rich
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Ed I remember when women wore skirts, now they where pajamas everywhere they go, 
Chuck
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