Cragin Junction: BRC vs. Metra/Milwaukee and Aban/C&NW

(Satellite, tower was in the northeast quadrant.)

Thomas Manz posted
Cragin Jct which way are we looking? Hemry Wilhelm photo
Bob Lalich: The view is east and the passenger train is WB. Then and now, the passenger mains are north of the freight mains. Also, the tower was in the NE quadrant of the crossing.

 

Jon Roma commented on Thomas' post
Here's a crop of a Milwaukee Road right-of-way map showing the crossing at Cragin. The C&NW track runs due north/south about two blocks east of Cicero Ave. I left some of the cross street names in here for context. You can see the location of the tower on this map.
In case anyone's missed the commentary (thank you, FB), this photo was taken along what is now the Metra Milwaukee West line. The photographer is facing Chicago, and Elgin is to his rear.

Dennis DeBruler posted

While I was looking for the Grayland Junction, I found a Milwaukee vs. C&NW junction further south (pin drop).

41°54'50.0"N 87°44'28.4"W

This junction raises a couple of questions.

1) What is its name?

2) Did it control the connection to the BRC just to the West? If not, what is the name of the BRC vs. Metra/Milwaukee junction?

3) And the second question raises the question of where is the transition of ownership on this route between Metra and Canadian Pacific?

Larry Amaloo: This area was and is still called Cragin Jct., http://chicagorailfan.com/mainrftt.html states that for many years it was controlled remotely from Tower A5 but does not say a specific year. CP ownership of the Elgin Subdivision infrastructurewise does not start until Randall Road if I am not mistaken.

Dennis DeBruler

Admin

Larry Amaloo I found that it was remoted from Tower B-12:

"6.4 Cragin Jct. (remote-Tower B-12 Dispatcher)"

http://chicagorailfan.com/mmmilww.html

Larry Amaloo: Dennis DeBruler That's for the current day junction with the BRC, the previous junction with the CNW and BRC when it was still a diamond crossing was remoted to A5 until presumably when either the diamond removed or when Metra took control in the 1980s

Andre Kristopans: Crossing to the east was with CNW line from Mayfair to 40th St Yard. Gone south of about Palmer where last customer is.

[The "last customer" that Andre mentioned is Alpha Bakery.]

Glen Koshiol: BRC/MILW. connection was Craigin JCT.