These are notes that I am writing to help me learn our industrial history. They are my best understanding, but that does not mean they are a correct understanding.
Photo via BridgeHunter_1894, License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike (CC BY-SA) Also, NewsInteractive, which has photos of the bridges along the Monongahela River.
The first photo must be of the north end because the bridge is curved and the separate truss in the foreground is going over railroad tracks. The second bridge must be of the south end.
HistoricBridges This continuous truss bridge is 2,276' (694m) long with a 567' (173m) main span.
It has a vertical clearance of 50' (15m). [PGHbridges]
NewsInteractive, Credit: Post-Gazette "The current Glenwood Bridge, which opened in 1966, is Pennsylvania's first all-welded, steel truss bridge."
"This bridge is unusual because most of the trusses are below deck except at the piers where they rise up forming a through truss design." [HistoricBridges]
I was even more surprised that I could not see the tower north of the mainline. (I included some boxcars to show that a building should be casting a shadow.) So I'm confused.
At photo resolution
Of course, it doesn't show up on a contemporary image.
(Satellite, it was from Fifth Avenue southeast to Taft Street)
George M Stupar posted
Gary Indiana 1930s, West end of Tolleston yard at the 5th avenue road crossing, Wabash Railroad 4th District main is seen at left of the tower, Pennsylvania Railroad main is in foreground. Calumet Regional Archives photo.
Dennis DeBruler commented on George's post
A 1951 aerial does show multiple tracks and cuts of cars parked in that area. 1959 Highland and Gary Quadrangles @ 1:24,000
And I'm saving an image of the yard itself since the tracks are rather full. CSX plans to reduce the use of this yard by running its merchandise trains to Clearing Yard instead of here.
CSX eastbound with 7567 CW40-8 leading with a leased GATX SD40, prepares to depart Barr Yard in Riverdale, Illinois. - December 12, 2003
Dennis DeBruler Taken from the Ashland Street Tower? I just read that both towers have been torn down because they haven't been used in about 15 years. Their function was replaced by video cameras that give the yardmaster more views of the yard. Scott Griffith it got closed once Tom Rogers got injured going down the stairs.
William Kruspe posted two photos with the comment: "Halated tower then when we used to RAILROAD NOW ! SAD" Raymond ShieldsSpent a lot of time in that tower when I was the roadforeman at Barr yard
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Andrew Urbanski posted two photos with the comment: "The only photos I have so far of the old B&OCT towers in Riverdale."
Evie N Bob Bruns posted Chessie 4266 working the lead job west end of Barr yard(Riverdale) at Ashland Ave. bridge on 3/21/1988
Francis Otterbein shared a link to a public group with the comment: "A single GP15T is seen from the Ashland Avenue Control Tower pulling a cut of cars west out of Barr Yard. Note the strings of retired first-generation diesels on the north end of the yard. (Jim Mirabelli photo.March 21, 1985)"
I took a video to show that both an eastbound and a westbound were passing through the yard when I was there. And to show, once again, that trains move slowly on the IHB.
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Unlike most yards, this yard seems to be about as big today as it was in 1938.
Jerry Jackson posted
SF30C 9561 is going south by direction on the IHB, passing through Argo yard Summit, IL in 1991. The stone processor at the quarry in McCook can be seen in the background.
Dennis DeBruler commented on Jerry's posting
One of the few towers in the Chicagoland area that still looks nice, Sept. 23, 2014.
Joseph tuch Santucci posted two photos with the comment:
On a couple separate days in 1995 I captured a couple of shots of IHB’s Argo Tower in Summit, IL. The tower closed in the early 90’s but remained standing as the first floor is the headquarters for the CSX maintainer assigned to this line. Plus there’s a base station radio here on the second floor used by IHB dispatchers.
The vehicle train in the first photo is on main one. The tracks to the right but left of the tower are the old yard. The two tracks to the right were, at that time, known as the Argo-Oakley industrial tracks. These were the original stock yard lead tracks that went to the stockyards in Chicago back in the day. They also connected to the NYC’s line to go into Ashland Ave which was their subsidiary Chicago Junction Railroad.
At this point in time (1995) they went as far east as Harlem where they became a single track to Cicero Ave where it connected to the BRC line that went east to Lawndale. The old IHB right of way was sold to become part of the CTA’s Orange Line in 1986 and IHB gained rights in the parallel BRC. In the mid 90’s IHB was going to the stockyards area to switch a couple of industries. In 1996 the line went as far as Narragansett where they connected to the BRC and eliminated their own track between there and Cicero Ave.
IHB used Conrail’s 49th Street industrial track (known as the 49 line) from Lawndale east and the parallel GTW main to reach the industries they switched. It was a once or twice a week move and usually an extra switcher called to make the move as it could easily take eight or more hours to get there and back account all the other traffic encountered at Narragansett, 55th Street, Lawndale, the 49 line and the GTW main. I made this move multiple times and recall more than once barely making it back to Argo before going dead with a total of ten or twelve cars handled all evening. We would gather our cars out of the new yard to build our train, get our air test and then wait on our turn to cross both IHB mains at Argo to get onto the stockyard branch and head east.
Joseph Tuch Santucci: Larry Candilas this is the actual Argo tower. The one at the GM&O/ICG crossing was called Argo Tower on the GM&O/ICG. It was called GM&O tower on the IHB. Argo controlled all the switches at Argo; the crossovers between the mains, the switches connecting to the new yard and switches connecting the west leg of the wye from BRC’s Clearing Yard to the IHB. All of the Argo plant was given to the IHB dispatcher at Gibson. The switches to the stockyard branch were also controlled by Argo. While it’s still pretty busy here it’s not like it was back in the days when IHB moved livestock down the stockyard branch to processing plants and moved loaded reefers out.
Glen Koshiol: That GM&O/IHB crossing became CP/CANAL. That later had three wye connections to the GM&O/ICG.
Joseph Tuch Santucci: Glen Koshiol it became CP Canal after the tower closed. There were two connections there for years. The last one was built after CN took over and then acquired Wisconsin Central.
Stan Stanovich: Joseph Tuch Santucci …I can recall the GM&O tower operator identifying himself and the location as “Argo Tower” on the IHB radio frequency prior to it’s closing in either late ‘93 or early’94. Ironically, this portion of the IHB was joint trackage with CSXT predecessor B&OCT. The tower had a CSX operator…
Joseph Tuch Santucci: Stan Stanovich an amazing unusual arrangement going back over a hundred years. This was indeed B&OCT track. An IHB predecessor was building a line to compete with this route and an agreement was worked out between the two roads which stopped construction of the competing line. The line fell under what is now IHB with their rulebook and timetable and special instructions in effect and their dispatchers controlling it. B&OCT and later, CSX handles all the maintenance and upkeep with the exception of the limits within CP Ridge which comes under IHB’s care. Another unusual agreement that actually in part, dates back to the days the cross line was Wabash.
As an added note, a stretch of I-294, the Tri-State Tollway is built upon what was part of the planned right of way for the competing rail line.
The southeast end of Argo Yard is in the left background and a crossing guard tower is in the right foreground.
Nick Hart posted CP 686 heads east through Argo with a DM&E SD40-2 (former Milwaukee Road) in charge. In Argo Yard, an SW1500/slug set waits to go about yard duties. At Blue Island, 686 will exit IHB rails and hop on the CSX Barr Sub. Summit, IL 02-23-15 [The two silos in the left background are part of Ingredion.]
Edward Kwiatkowski posted an IHB bay window caboose parked in the yard.
Yard: (Satellite) I was going to add my pictures. But I have so many, during various stages of construction, that I have decided I will make a later posting with them. The important thing for yards and towers is the satellite location.
Kevin Piper posted a history and several photos. (There are more train photos past the house photos.)
Mike Wyatt posted
Eola yard looking east, 1990. Brad Schultz photo. William BauerI liked it when the yard office was in the middle of the yard. It was a better setup for the crews
BNSF Railway posted Aurora, Illinois, a western neighbor to Chicago, is where BNSF got its start 175 years ago. A short stretch of track set BNSF’s destiny into ‘loco-motion’ and grew over many decades into a network spanning 32,500 miles. Read more about Aurora on Rail Talk at https://bit.ly/3Jn0wnU Dave Rodgers: This is Eola. May have been their first yard, but the shops were in town along Broadway. From what I was told, it was the line that went to West Chicago was the first trackage the C.B.@Q. had into Aurora.
Mark Theesfeld: Before the yard expansion, but after Partner’s started unloading salt.
Susie Dawdy: The yard is called EOLA which stands for End of the Line Aurora which is what the passenger train conductor would yell out years ago. I like to learn how yards got their names.
BNSF "In 1849, the Illinois General Assembly chartered the Aurora Branch Line, a humble 12-mile section of track connecting Aurora to West Chicago, bringing these developing communities access to the city. A hodgepodge of borrowed equipment and secondhand steel tracks, the Aurora Branch Railroad pushed ahead and was the second railroad to serve Chicago....In May 1864 the CB&Q completed a direct rail line from Aurora to Chicago – making the original Aurora Branch an official branch line (a secondary line that connects to a main line)."
Evan Walker posted Jim ShawLooks like Eola yard looking west from the Eola Road bridge.
CB&Q E8A #9952 leads the NP North Coast Limited WB at CB&Q Eola Int Tower, in Eola, IL in 1956.
Photo by James E. Humbert.
Doug PlummerThe eola tower was down near eola road you can see the EJ andE bridge off to the east past the signal bridge.
Mike SpencerAnybody have better photos of Eola Tower? I'm very curious about the bracket post semaphore.
Lawrence SmithI agree. never saw a bracket post like that on CB+Q - looks like a NYC signal.
Mike SpencerThe signal itself is distinctly Q - it's a lower quad with likely a Federal mechanism. The bracket post is likely a catalog-standard item, albeit from the early 1900's or 1910's.
Marty Bernard posted CB&Q 5632 acting as the Oregon Way Freight on fan trip passing an eastbound Dinky at Eola Tower at Eola, Illinois on June 23, 1962. A Roger Puta photo. [Note the tower peaking through the two trains. And 1962 must have been before kill-all herbicides were invented.]
One of 44 farm scenes posted by Sam Carlson.
Eola, IL in Fall, 1984. This area is unrecognizable today, as urban blight has completely obliterated the farmland. Michael Matalis I moved away from Chicago in 1984, returned in 1999 and was amazed (and depressed) by the amount of sprawl. I was not surprised that the cornfield a half mile from my house was gone, but areas out near Elgin where all I could see in '84 were a few farm houses I now could not see at all because of town homes and strip malls. The price of progress I guess.
Satellite before the yard lead extension construction. Unlike most railyards in the 21st Century, this yard is being expanded because it now handles carload traffic for the Chicago area since their old freight yard, Clyde, has been converted to an intermodal yard. Clyde does still do engine servicing.
The old CBQ roundhouse remnants are really showing through the green grass at the BNSF Eola yard in Aurora. Taken 05/28/25.
William Brown posted From a group of CB&Q photos purchased on EBay, CB&Q 9271 and 9278 are on the ready track at EOLA, Illinois. I am guessing they are waiting to go on duty as the East and West Lead Switchers. One could be the Tramp Job that switch the CB&Q's Reclamation Shop across the Main Tracks. The 9271 was built in September 1955. It would be renumbered BN 229 after the Merger. It was retired by BN in February 1986 and sold the used Locomotive Dealer Wilson Railway in Des Moines, Iowa. The 9278 was built in October 1955. It was renumbered BN 236 after the BN Merger. It was then renumbered BNSF 3506 after the Santa Fe/BN Merger. 55 years of service is not a bad record. It was still in service on a Short Line in Batesville, Arkansas. No date or photographer listed. Karl M AndrewsWhat I like about this photo is that it shows the small roundhouse that used to be at Eola. When I worked there the building was gone and the turntable was out of service. the TT was repaired and used for a short time to turn Auto racks before they went to the trans-loading facility in Naperville. At that time the auto rack cars had to be arranged so that the headlights on any given cut of cars had to have all the headlights facing the same way. There was an "old head" switchman who knew how to operate the TT and he would turn the cars when necessary. He retired but by that time the auto facility was able to unload cars from either end. NOW that facility is long closed. None of the 'old heads" I worked with remembered the old roundhouse nor when it was razed.
Steven J. Brown posted
My neighbor just got a scanner and came over for a brief scanning demo so YOU get a random BN image!
GATX SD38-2 1241 (built 1978 as Reserve Mining 1241, became Iowa Interstate 151) looking through the long gone turntable at Burlington Northern's yard in Eola, Illinois - January 1, 1991 Doug Andreasen Cool pic. Not sure I'd say "long gone" as it was removed in 2007. It was a neat feature of that yard for a long time though.
[I added some location information.]
Jeff Mathre posted with the comment: "Laverne Hudson collection, he worked during the 50-60's."
I'm interested in train operations. But that doesn't fit very well into the infrastructure oriented organization of this blog. So I guess I'll save the information in yard notes for now. Two railfans caught a train going from CN's Kirk Yard to BN's Galesburg Yard via CN/EJ&E.
Halsted Pazdzior posted BNSF 1706 leads M395 from Kirk to the BNSF. Today they dropped off a large section of train at Joliet yard and continued north on the Leithton. This is a newer practice and looks to be supplimenting the usual L520/L521 (Kirk to Joliet) locals. 6/10/20 Jonathon Leese Didn’t 395 used to be direct from Battle Creek to the BN? [So M395 was originally a GTW train.] Kevin VaheyJonathon Leese yep. Would sometimes work Joliet before continuing to Eola. Dennis DeBruler Taken from Canton Farm Road https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-jrLDtj...
Matt Buhlig posted In a rather interesting turn of events, BNSF 1706 (SD40-2) and a CN SD60 ended up powering CN M395 north on the CN Leithton Sub this evening just before dusk. M395 originates in Kirk Yard and then hops on the BNSF at Eola and continues west as H-CNIGAL. 6/10/20. Dennis DeBruler Thanks for explaining the source and destination of this train. Do they change from CN to BNSF crews at Eola? Halsted Pazdzior explained that M395 also serves the Joliet Yard. https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicagolandrailfan/permalink/3102757269763499/ Matt BuhligDennis DeBruler the crew change point kinda varies day by day, but it is always between Eola and Joliet.
This shot was taken looking west from the porch of the West Eola Tower at the west end of Eola Yard. I'm pretty sure the tower was already in the City of Aurora, Illinois. The race track and the west home signals can be seen in the upper left. CB&Q SW1 9153 has probably been switching the West Chicago Branch and is returning to the yard via the track that runs behind the tower. The conductor seems to be enjoying the ride home on the units back porch on that 26th of August in 1964 while the engineer and another of the crew rode in the cab. And there probably is a waycar at the end. This SW1 was built in Feb. 1941 as EMD builder's number 1288 and she later became BN 97.
I was working for the CB&Q that summer break from College but never worked West Eola tower. I was just visiting.
Ray Speerly just commented:
No that's the local Aurora job, West Chicago branch didn't use a yard switch. I'm sure they had been switching downtown
Aurora and maybe out to Dart Container and the old Barber Greene.
Marty Bernard Rob Conway: This was a great way to get from Hill Yard to Eola Yard without needing to use the mainline. Jeff Bloomdahl: During this period and into the 70's, switchers such as this one were used on the trains to West Chicago. Have pictures of them over the CNW subway in West Chicago as the boys went for beans! I'm from West Chicago. Most of the time GP7's and 9's held the trains though!
Jeff Bloomdahl commented on Marty's share Found the picture of the switcher parked over the subway of the CNW in West Chicago. Picture was put in one of those sticky photo albums of the 70's. Glossy film over the picture.
This photo provides another view of the Hill-Eola track on the north side of the RoW. That is the Austin Western Road Machinery plant on the left.
One of five photos posted by Marty Bernard 3. CB&Q 953 shot from West Eola Tower on August 26, 1964. This GP30 built 1962 became BN 2230 and had EMD #27164.
Paul Musselman posted four images with the comment: "Old CB&Q turntable at west end of Eola yard.."
Paulene Spika: Is it still there? Was this the one across from City Auto Wreckers?
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Dennis DeBruler commented on Paulene's comment
The turntable is gone, but you can tell where it was because the foundation of the roundhouse is still there. (In the upper-right corner of this map extract.) The green rectangles in the foundation would be where they filled the pits with dirt. So this was across from City Auto Wreckers.
1 1. CB&Q 9947A at Eola, IL on September 10, 1964 with the eastbound North Coast Limited. The E8A was built in September 1950 and became BN 9947 (not rebuilt to an E9A), and then became AMTK 341. Marty Bernard posted
The North Coast Limited in 1964
CB&Q E8A 9947A at Eola, IL on September 10, 1964. The time would have been a little after 2 pm. The train is headed east through Eola Yard. Eola is a unincorporated community. It was between Naperville and Aurora when I took the photo. Today it is surrounded by Aurora.
In less than a minute the train will pass Eola Tower at the east end of the yard. West Eola Tower was at the west end of the yard. The yard tracks north of the three-track mainline (and a siding) are visible but the yard tracks to the south are just to the left of the photo. I was standing on a rickety highway bridge that went over the whole yard but is long gone.
9947A became BN 9947 and then AMTK 341.
Enjoy
2 2. Eastbounf at Eola, IL on August 27, 1969. (Can't read the Road Number.) Mike Landers: Cat end loaders ! Dennis DeBruler
Mike Landers I wonder if they were from the now closed Montgomery plant.
Marty Bernard posted CB&Q E8A 9973 with a Dinky, Eola, IL on September 13, 1965 Karl M Andrews: East Yard? Dave Rodgers: West yard. Running track is visible in the foreground, that would be by the East Yard. [I'm surprised that they call then East and West Yards instead of South and North Yards. I guess it is because the East (south) Yard handled eastbound traffic and vice versa. I think we can see the roundhouse in the left background so we are looking at the yard on the north side of the mainline.] Marty Bernard posted CB&Q E8A 9973 with a dinky, Eola, IL on September 13, 1965.
Marty Bernard posted CB&Q Covered Wagons 165ABC at Eola, IL on September 13, 1965 165ABC was a F7A, a F3B, and a F3A. Why? Because the CB&Q bought their FTs and F3s in four unit sets, i.e., ABBA. Soon they realized that as a flat-lander railroad an ABA set had sufficient power. So the broke the ABBA sets in half and added a new F7A to each half. Besides the wonderful 165ABC (F7A-F3B-F3A) the photo shows the three-track race track (the fourth track is a siding -- notice it avoids the signal bridge) and both sides of Eola Yard (eastbound and westbound). The siding with the kink was called the "Runner" track. The kink is still there even though the signal bridge isn't. The F7 was built in May 1950 and the F3s in October of 1948. 160ABC through 169ABC were traded in to GE and EMD from 1966 to 1970. Marty Bernard shared Jerry Nolan: Great shot. I like the "kink" in the siding around the base of the signal bridge, that would make a good scenic feature on a model train layout.
John J Kulidas posted Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad E9 9993 westbound on Train # 25, the North Coast Limited, at Eola Illinois on January 1, 1966, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Number 9993 was built during August 1954 (c/n 19632) on EMD Order 2065A for 6 E9's (9990-9995), and after March 2, 1970 it became BN 9993. It was sold to the West Suburban Mass Transit District on August 18, 1972, sent to Morrison Knudsen in Boise, Idaho for rebuilding into a E9Am (or E9Au, I'm not sure), returning to BN rails as 9923 after July 1973. Note that the second unit has three red stripes, unique to the CB&Q E7's with small numberboards, the last unit is an E7 with the large numberboards and four red stripes. Rand Parsons: I recall how confusing it was to me as a kid in the late 50's when we would travel from Seattle to Chicago and I think in St. Paul they would take our GNRR and/or NPRR sleeper cars and assemble a new train lead by silver CB&Q locomotives into Chicago. I think there were also silver CB&Q cars in the new train. So many colors... very cool. 😎 Glenn Olsen: Rand Parsons you would have been aboard either the NP Mainstreeter or the GN Western Star. Those 2 trains were combined with the Burlington Blackhawk between Chicago and St Paul. The North Coast Limited and the Empire Builder ran as separate trains until 1967 when they were combined with Zephyrs between Chicago and St Paul. Rand Parsons: Glenn Olsen Yes, thanks Glenn, we rode both those trains over the years. My dad was a lifelong UPRR employee as we're both his dad and grandpa. So we had passes and could ride the second class trains for free with a very nominal upgrade to bedrooms when available. We also rode some of the first class trains a few times likely with a deep discount. My favorite train ride was when we took the Canadian Pacific's first class train across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver, I think it took five days/four nights. I spent every minute I could up in the front seats of the tailend observation/dome car. Paul Webb shared Ray Speerly: Has to be taken from the bridge looking east. Aaron Grace shared Area is certainly more developed now. Jeffrey Friedmann: The old Felton Rd wood bridge.
The above comments about the bridge motivated me to fire up the time machines. I included the Austin Western Road Machinery Co. that was west of the railyard because it was easy.
1950 Aurora North and 1953 Naperville Quads @ 24,000
Marty Bernard posted two photos with the comment: "EJ&E 925 and 650 Working at Eola, IL, 1970 Note, the EJ&E crosses above the CB&Q just past the east end of the Q's Eola Yard."
1 EJ&E 925 (built Sept. 1948 by Baldwin as a DT66-2000, i.e. a Diesel Transfer with two 6-wheeel trucks at 2000 hp and repowered Oct. 1958 with 2 EMD 12-567C engines) and SD38 650 working at Eola, IL on August 31, 1970.
The first F-unit I remember seeing was a CB&Q Greyback. Thus they are special. And the location in this photo is also special.
The Tower is Eola Tower at the east end of the Burlington's Eola Yard east of Aurora, Illinois. I never worked that tower, but spent enough time there that it feels like I did. I feel the same about West Eola Tower at the west end of the yard. I did work Montgomery Tower, which is two towers to the west.
For perspective we are looking west. The three track racetrack is just out of the photo to the right in front of the tower. The Greyback 162 ABC is on a track that runs behind the tower and I'm pretty sure connected with the EJ&E. If you look close, you can see the Vaughn Rd bridge in the distance. My good friend Rick Burn took this in July 1962.
CB&Q 162ABC was a F3ABA built June 1948 and traded for some of the next generation of EMD or GE diesels.
Marty Bernard posted CB&Q F3ABC 162ABC built June 1948 going around the back side of Eola Tower, Eola, IL in July 1962. Jim Shaw: What’s this tower at Eola Road or at McClure? Marty Bernard: The tower close to Aurora was West Eola Tower. This tower was close to Eola. West of Eola Road, south of the main tracks. Photo is looking west. Edward Kwiatkowski shared Marty Bernard posted
A Greyback F3ABC
The first F-unit I remember seeing was a CB&Q Greyback. Thus they are special. Then the other night I scanned this slide of my long-time railfan friend Rick Burn. And the location is also special.
The Tower is Eola Tower at the east end of the Burlington's Eola Yard west of Aurora, Illinois. I never worked that tower, but spent enough time there that it feels like I did. I feel the same about West Eola Tower at the west end of the yard I did work Montgomery Tower which is two towers to the west.
For perspective we are looking west. The three track racetrack is just out of the photo to the right in front of the tower. The Greyback 162 ABC is on a track that runs behind the tower and I'm pretty sure connected with the EJ&E. Rick took this in July 1962.
CB&Q 162ABC was a F3ABA built June 1948 and traded for some of the next generation of EMD or GE diesels.
I wonder how many other railyards are in better shape today than they were in the 1960s. More than a handful? Back in the 1960s, Clyde (Cicero) had a hump and handled the freight traffic. Now, Clyde is an intermodal yard and Eola, BRC and IHB handle what little freight traffic is left.
Marty Bernard posted two photos with the comment: "Two photos of the same line of four CB&Q commuter coaches sitting in Eola, IL Yard on September 13, 1965. They have probably turned their last revenue mile."
a 1. CB&Q 13570 on the mainline passing through Eola Yard, Eola, IL on September 13, 1965, and was built Oct 1960 at Havelock, became BN 10341. Note the retired commuter cars in the background.
b 4. CB&Q retired Way Cars in Eola Yard, Eola, IL on September 11, 1964.
c 5. CB&Q retired Way Cars in Eola Yard, Eola, IL on September 11, 1964
d 6. The CB&Q East-End Way Freight working in Westmont, IL on September 1, 1964. The way car 14351 was built July 1906 at Aurora, became BN 11087 and retired Jan. 1971.
14 photos by Brian Berthold of the truss turntable
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