I moved to this area in the late 1980s. There were a few rail served industries left and a few factories and other buildings that had been converted to other uses. Other than a few photos and maps, I have had a difficult time finding much beyond commuter rails. Any ideas for photos or articles? Thanks.
Chicago Aurora & Elgin served the area until 1957-1959. This website may help: http://www.greatthirdrail.org
Also C&NW, EJ&E and CMStP&P served Elgin. They still do as part of larger systems.
Hi, Thanks all. I am pretty familiar with the history and have been riding Metra for going on 30 years but more interested in freight traffic in the '50s. There were a handful of industries along Hwy 31 just north of the station that were served by the Milwaukee Road and then the Soo. No rail service anymore although some of the buildings are still there. The CNW served a factory in South Elgin, the Elgin Watch factory and a scrap yard before heading up to Dundee and north. The tracks on the east side of the Fox River are long gone, although tracks on the west remain and see a few trains daily. I think the UP still serves a plastics factory on the west side of town and then the Chrysler plant in Belvidere. Factory in Huntley used to get daily visits but it is closed now I believe. I do not think the EJ&E ever served Elgin - those tracks (now part of CN) are a few miles east of Elgin. The Illinois Central also now part of the CN runs through South Elgin but does not get a lot of traffic from what I can tell. I don't think they ever served Elgin although I do recall a rail served lumber and building supply yard along Hwy 31 south of South Elgin.
Articles and photos would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Before 1935, the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric Company interurban operated between its named cities and beyond. In Elgin, it ran on the street tracks of the Elgin Street Railway. A car that was on that line from 1927 until 1935 still exists and operates on a remnant of the original railroad at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin. Also in Elgin was part of the Chicago, Aurrora & Elgin Railway which also operated between its named cities. And three of its cars are at the museum. The C.A.& E. went out of business in 1961 after terminating its passenger service on July 3rd 1957. It entered Elgin along the Fox River on what is now the Illinois Prairie Path ROW and ran along the river ending just south of Chicago Street. .
Website: https://www.foxtrolley.org/
The Spring 2019 issue of "First & Finest" (Shore Line Interurban Historical Society) has a good article on Elgin railroads.
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