tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577633936396294153.post6977658063375598007..comments2024-03-29T05:00:50.812-05:00Comments on Industrial History: Before Trucks -- Team TracksDennis DeBrulerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13992361354510209661noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7577633936396294153.post-56089352525924935772014-11-12T00:08:50.918-06:002014-11-12T00:08:50.918-06:00Downers Grove was never the western terminus for a...Downers Grove was never the western terminus for all commuter trains. The CB&Q's hometown is Aurora, and their major shop buildings were located there. Some commuter trains ran only to Riverside, some to Downers Grove, and some all the way to Aurora. When diesels replaced steam on the suburban trains in the 1950s, Riverside and Downers Grove yards were bypassed all commuter trains laid over at Aurora. However, if you look closely at today's Metra schedule, you'll note that during the morning and evening rush hours, several trains still change directions at Congress Park and Downers Grove, continuing a century-and-a-half-old traffic pattern.<br /><br />More than likely, the railroad hung onto the eastern half of the old commuter yard, either hoping for some future use for it, or because nobody wanted to buy the property. It was only in the past 15 years that the office buildings were built and the lawn care company moved in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com