Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Junction Tower in Elmhurst, IL: IC vs CGW and CA&E Interurban

(Satellite)
Mark Llanuza posted
Its 1960 unknown photographer captured westbound passing through Elmhurst IL crossing the IC RR [photo collection by Mark Llanuza]
Mark posted again
Its the year 1961 westbound train 143 is crossing the ILLinois Central Iowa division at Elmhurst IL .This tower controlled both the IC ,CGW and CA&E.
It is easy to find the Chicago Great Western in Elmhurst because it paralleled the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin on the north side. The CC&P was the Chicago Central & Pacific (CC). The CA&E tracks are visible to the right of the code line poles on the right side of the photo. It is now the Illinois Prairie Path in the satellite image.

Tom Podraza just west of the IC between the CGW and CAE ROW the tower is parallel to the IC ROW.


1939 Aerial Photo from ILHAP
Given Tom's information, it would be the building with a shadow on the left.

Update: A comment on another posting:
Thomas Kaufman This is the IC interlocking tower from Elmhurst. Was a joint agency tower with the CGW & CA&E. Tower was torn down in the early 60's after the CA&E abandonment. With the tower removal the interlocking was automated with first come/first served operation. After the CGW operations were severely reduced after the CNW/CGW merger and tracks removed to Just west of the diamond, the actual diamond was removed and the home signals were converted to ABS signals and intergrated into the IC ABS system.

Mark Llanuza commented on his posting
Here is a shot of Amtrak crossing the CGW at Elmhurst 1975 the tracks were still in.
[The CGW tracks were removed in 1976.]
William Shapotkin posted two photos with the comment:
Hard to believe, but at one time, there were four commuter rail lines in Elmhurst, IL. Elmhurst tower protected the IC xing of the CA&E and CGW (sadly, both CA&E and CGE are long-abandoned). The IC operated suburban service to Addison, IL until June 1931. The CGW operated suburban service to DeKalb until circa 1918. The CA&E operated until July 3, 1957. The C&NW (now Metra) of course continues to this day.
1. A W/B CGW ft x/o the IC. View looks east.
2. An E/B CA&E trn x/o the IC. View looks N/W.
Thomas Kaufman This is the first picture I have seen of a CA&E train at Elmhurst with the tower still standing and active. Because of the St Louis cars on the CA&E train I venture to guess that was after 1945 when the cars were delivered. Not sure but I think there used to be an interchange track at this interlocking between the IC and CGW in the northeast corner of the interlocking plant.
William Shapotkin Yes, Thomas Kaufman -- there was an interchange track betw CGW-IC in N/E quadrant of xing.


1

2

Jon Roma commented on a similar posting by William
Two photos posted by Marty Bernard.

1
CGW 116C crossing the Illinois Central in Elmhurst, IL in May 1962. Rick Burn photo.
Thomas Kaufman Marty's photo shows the tower in place before the CA&E was abandoned. After that the interlocking was automated for the CGW and the IC.
Patrick McNamara commented on the above photo
Illinois Central and the old Aurora, Elgin and Chicago - Later CA&E - interurban line. Here's the tower in 1915......

2
CGW 10 crossing the IC at Elmhurst, IL in August 1960. Rick Burn photo.

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