The best overview map I've found.
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| William A. Shaffer posted |
It began with the Aurora Branch Railroad.
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| Aurora Historical Society posted OCTOBER 21, 1850 The Aurora Branch Railroad (later the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) inaugurates service between Aurora and Chicago, via Batavia and Turner Junction (West Chicago). The 12-mile branch railroad connected Aurora to the tracks of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (later Chicago & Northwestern), where it used those tracks and right of way to complete the journey into Chicago. There were two round trips each day. By 1855, the railroad expanded to become the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB & Q). By the 1920s, the railroad had 12,000 miles of track over 14 states, and the Burlington Route adopted the slogan, “Everywhere West.” Today, the railroad is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). Map – Overton, Richard C., Burlington Route – A History of the Burlington Lines. New York: Alfred A. Knopf; 1965 Jimmy Fiedler: Actually the first train on the Aurora Branch RR was in September 1850 from Batavia to Turner Junction. The line fully opened in October 1850, used a borrowed locomotive from the G&CU called the Pioneer. I doubt the Aurora Branch had direct service to Chicago, but passengers would transfer to a G&CU train. It took 9 hours by railroad to travel from Aurora to Chicago. The Aurora Branch reorganized into the Chicago & Aurora RR in 1852-1855, the line was extended to Mendota from Aurora. In 1856 the C&A RR merged with 5 other railroads & formed the Chicago Burlington and Quincy RR in 1856. The Branch from Aurora to Turner Junction was the CB&Q route into Chicago until 1863 when the line built from Aurora to Chicago was completed. Bob Klein: Eola Rd was named such for End Of Line Aurora [That road is on the east end of Eola Yard.] Robert Wakerly: I'm doubtful that it's the BNSF today as the description states. The BNSF goes thru Hinsdale, Downers Grove and Naperville (not far from Ogden Ave. S.W. Plank rd. On the map) Rather, the Galena and Chicago Union railroad on the map looks like the Union Pacific West line today which goes through Elmhurst, Lombard, Wheaton and West Chicago. Greg Beat: Robert Wakerly Correct. During Civil War CB&Q built from Aurora to Chicago along the S.W. Plank Road. The original 12 miles of CB&Q still largely exists, but ends behind closed General Mills (Cherrios) plant. The “Tower JC" on the CB&Q and crossing/switches are Gone. The.Tower JA" on the CN&W Freeport/Williams Bay Line was closed in 1949 and was moved to the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) in Union, IL. Tower JB” in Manned and Operational, EJ&E (now Canadian National) Crossing with Union Pacific (former Chicago & North Western) Geneva Subdivision Mechanical interlocking installed 1889 Electric interlocking installed 1901 New tower constructed 1926 John R. Jaros: Larry J. Pearlman The Pioneer was the first train engine in the Chicago region. The Aurora Branch borrowed it from the Galena & Chicago Union RR because they were still waiting on locomotives on order. Today, it can be seen at the Chicago History Museum. |
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| Jimmy Fiedler commented on Larry's comment |
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| 1879 |
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| 1880 |
I have notes on some of the predecessor railroads:
- Illinois Valley and Northern Railroad
- Illinois Grand Trunk Railway
- Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Railroad
- Iowa and Saint Louis Railroad
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