I am cataloging old photos and came across a photo taken of an abandoned tower in Joliet. It protected the EJE and Metra crossing, about 2 miles east of the Joliet Union Station.
Can anyone tell me the name of the tower? Also, anyone know when it was closed?
ed
Based on the latest CORA book, EJ&E calls it “Rock Island” and Metra calls it “EJ&E Crossing”. The supplement to John Szwajkart’s Train Watcher’s Guide to Chicago called it East Joliet. Back then it was also the end of a PC (Michigan Central) line and a MILW branch.
Thanks, I never even thought to look at the Train Watchers Guide. I am putting all of my tower photos in one place and trying to get proper names on all of them.
ed
My old RI employee timetables show a MC Tower (formerly MC crossing in older ones) one mile east of Joliet and 0.3 miles west of the EJ&E crossing. Could this be it?
MC lasted at least to the end of the RI. There was a Train Controller located here who supervised movements in the Joliet area.
Jeff
On the BNSF it is called UD tower, I go by there quite often and smile for the cameras.
Rodney
Is this it? http://eje.railfan.net/photos_neal/n_row24.jpg
That was shot by Neal… The EJ&E crews still call it “The Rock” when crossing.
Dave
http://www.DPDProductions.com
I may need to check out that tower next time I am in the Joliet area
I do not think it is shown on this website but for those who like Chicago area junctions and towers I recommend fully exploring this website
http://www.dhke.com/CRJ/index.html
Dave Nelson
DPD, that is/was the tower, all right.
Rodney, UD is the tower right by the station–we’re talking about a crossing a mile or so east of the station.
I believe it to be an old Rock tower since the J crossed the Metra ex Rock trackage. A couple years ago I made a B&W image of the tower with a J local passing by. Apparently, neither the J or Metra appear to be in a hurry to demoli***he structure. So get pics while you can.
Craig
DAve:
That would be it. My photo taken back around 1998 (taken south of the tower, near the bridge) shows armstrong pipes still running alongside the tracks, not in service, but still there.
ed
Yes, my friend Neal shot those too… He use to work for EJE.
http://eje.railfan.net/photos_neal/n_row23.jpg
http://eje.railfan.net/photos_neal/n_row25.jpg
http://eje.railfan.net/photos_neal/n_row26.jpg
http://eje.railfan.net/photos_neal/n_row27.jpg
They still interchange an Iowa Interstate train off the line into Joliet Yard. I’m guessing the building might still have equipment in it.
Dave
http://www.DPDProductions.com
I use to ride the Metra to Joliet on rare occasions. If memory serves me correct, the tower at Rock Island/EJ&E crossing no longer exist.
Metra UD tower is right accross from union station.
Rodney
There is some confusion going on here. The tower at the Metra/ BNSF/IC crossing is not the tower being discussed in the original question. the tower in question is about one mile east at the EJ&E/Metra crossing. It can be gotten to by turning north from route 30 on the east side of the EJ&E and then west and south down a fairly rough road for about a 1/4 mile. It is hidden in the trees otherwise.
