Sunday, August 2, 2020

B&O South Chicago Yard and Roundhouse

(see below for satellite)

There is a question mark in the title because I have not been able to determine a name for this yard. So I'm using "87th Street" as a placeholder.

B&O originally accessed Chicago by joining the IC around 70th Street. Back then, this yard would have been very important for B&O. But after B&O bought what became the B&OCT, the need for this yard was reduced.

Rod commented on his post
B&O Roundhouse from Same 1915 Smoke Abatement and Electrification study.

While researching the implications of this crossing concerning EJ&E trackage along 87th Street, I discovered from the 1929 topo map below that B&O had a roundhouse and yard west of Burley Avenue.
Rod Sellers posted
Where am I?
Cynthia Costello: Looks like 86th and Burley Avenue. I lived on that block from 1956 to 1993. 

Rod commented on his post
86th and Burley. Photo appeared in a Smoke Abatement and Electrification Report for Chicago in 1915. Attached is a map of the area near the photo from the Report.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Rod's post
Labeling the owner of the tracks on this crossing as EJ&E answers a question that has been on my mind: were the tracks along 87th Street owned by B&O or EJ&E? So the little roundhouse east of Burley would be EJ&E. I presume the big roundhouse west of Burley was B&O. What was the name of the B&O Yard?
I presume that the little yard that parallels Baker Street was owned by IC. What was its name?
1929 Calumet Lake Quadrangle @ 1:24,000
[The title now has the correct yard name thanks to this comment by Bob.]
Bob Lalich: Dennis DeBruler - the EJ&E, B&O and IC connected in the area west of Burley and north of 87th St. The EJ&E paralleled 86th St. 87th St crossed the B&O and IC. The roundhouse west of Burley was B&O. The yard was called South Chicago Yard. The smaller yard along Baker St was IC's Suburban Coach Yard.
Wayne Garritano: Bob Lalich Bob knows!
Dennis DeBruler: Wayne Garritano Indeed he does. I now have the correct name for the B&O yard in my notes.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Rod's post
1938 Aerial
https://clearinghouse.isgs.illinois.edu/.../0bwq05067.jpg

Rod commented on his post
Site map view of E.J. & E.Railroad Round House at U.S.Steel South Works, 1910.

The engine servicing facility has remained industrial, but the yard as been redeveloped as residential property. Because of land contamination concerns, this is quite rare.
Satellite




1 comment:

  1. You may have seen this already, but just in case not:

    https://forgottenchicago.com/articles/south-shore-bo-spur/

    (But, no info in the link about a name for the B&O yard.)

    ReplyDelete