Trains.com

Michigan Central and New York Central Passenger Trains in Chicago.

5416 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 33 posts
Posted by SHKarlson on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 1:45 PM

Penn Central put in a connection near the Indiana Harbor steel works to get the New York Central (LS&MS) trains onto the Pennsylvania, and the Michigan trains went from the Michigan Central to the LS&MS at Porter.  The current Michigan service uses both of those connections.

Stephen Karlson, DeKalb, Illinois

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Mount Prospect, IL
  • 60 posts
Posted by pullman jct on Monday, May 7, 2012 3:19 PM

CNW Mike,

If you manage to locate a diagram of NYC's Root St Yard please let me know as I am interested as well.

NYC and ATSF exchanged sleepers via a connection between the NYC/CRIP joint line and the ATSF coach yard. The track came out of the south end of the ATSF coach yard.

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Posted by daveklepper on Thursday, May 3, 2012 5:22 AM

On every good reason the Wolverine left from La Salle is that it was standard proceedure for NYC ticket sellers to suggest that train for Chicago passengers to New York when the via Cleveland trains were sold out.  I believe I was routed this way once, in a through sleeper's roomette.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Centennial, CO
  • 3,218 posts
Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 1:07 PM

Mike - Welcome to trains.com! Cowboy

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1 posts
Posted by C&NW Mike on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 12:28 PM

Two related questions:

Any suggestions on how to access information (e.g., track plans, diagrams) of the old Root Street Coach Yard of the NYC in Chicago?

Any thoughts on how NYC and ATSF exchanged through sleepers? I assume the connection had to be somewhere along the C&WI stretch by the south branch of the river, near 18th street--but not certain.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 11:56 AM

In February of 1950, the Wolverne ran to Central Station and from LaSalle Street.

Interesting.

Johnny

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 2,366 posts
MC and NYCent in Chicago
Posted by timz on Friday, April 27, 2012 6:03 PM

Starting sometime in 1948-49 the Wolverine was the only Mich Centr train that ran to La Salle St. Before that the Twilight Ltd ran to La Salle St and all the other MC trains ran to Central.

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Posted by daveklepper on Friday, April 27, 2012 7:23 AM

Thjere was a single-track connection between the NYC main and the PRR main east of Englewood for many years.  PC quickly made it double-track.

For many years, as long as I can remember, the Wolverine, the Boston and New York to and from Chicago through train via Detroit went into La Salle instead of Central.  On the other hand, the Twilight LImited and the Chicago - Toronto through train (at one time coaches as well  as sleepers) nYC-0CP, went out oof Central Station.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 370 posts
Posted by artpeterson on Thursday, April 26, 2012 3:40 PM

Amtrak operated trains out of Central Station via IC-Big Four aligment until November of 1971 timetable change.  "South Wind" was among these.  Hope that helps, Art

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, April 26, 2012 10:17 AM

Big Four passenger trains never left Central Station, right up to April 30, 1971.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 2,366 posts
Posted by timz on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 3:21 PM

It seems this connection from NY Central to PRR dates from about 1968 (tho it was single track for the first few years)

http://binged.it/IvWqG6

MC trains presumably could get always on the LS&MS main at Porter instead of crossing it. As I recall, even when most MC trains (and Big Four trains) went to IC's Chicago station one or two MC trains went to La Salle St.

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • 574 posts
Posted by FlyingCrow on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:15 PM

Ed...no track connections were required .    The Pennsy had always called Union Station home.

AB Dean Jacksonville,FL
  • Member since
    June 2011
  • 1,002 posts
Michigan Central and New York Central Passenger Trains in Chicago.
Posted by NP Eddie on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 5:11 PM

This post is regarding the Michigan Central and New York Central passenger trains in Chicago.

I recently read that the MC passenger trains moved from IC's Central Station to LaSalle Street and that the IC sued the NYC for breach of contract because the NYC did not give the IC the required notice to move.

Then, after the PC merger all former NYC passenger trains to Union Station, which continued until AMTRAK. 

What track connections did the MC or NYC proper have to construct or obtain to get from Union Station to their respective railroads?

Thanks,

 

Ed Burns of Anoka, MN

Tags: NYC , PRR

SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter