St. Charles Airline Railroads

[Anonymous]

What railroad used the St. Charles Airline in Chicago? I would love to see some pictures of the St. Charles Airline in its prime days when both Bascule Bridges were in use and the general area around the Airline. What was across the Chicago River past the Airline that is all overgrown now?

[Anonymous]

I recall this as Illinois Central's connection to its Iowa line through Broadview. As a kid, I would ride the Land 'O Corn and Hawkeye into Central Station from northern Illinois on this line. It would curve pass the corner of a building (seemed like you could reach out and touch it) into the station. IC freights from Iowa would move to Markham yard on this route. I think this line is scheduled to be removed as the city redevelops the area.

[spbed]

I think in the Trains Chicago issue it said this is the only direct route thru Chicage & was owned now by the CNRR. The article also said that if they ever readjust the ways the RRs operate in Chicage this line would be shut down.

[senshi]

If I remember correctly the second bascule that is no longer operational was the line used by the the railroads that used the old Grand Central Station (now demolished) on the SW corner of downtown.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm not absolutely sure of this but I believe that the St. Charles Air Line was jointly owned by C&NW, CB&Q and IC and goes back to the earliest days of railroading. The Air Line at its east end connected with the IC Iowa line just west of the Rock Island crossing and connected at its west end with CB&Q and C&NW just west of Halsted St.

[CShaveRR]

The Train Watcher's Guide to Chicago, original edition, states that the St. Charles Air Line was owned jointly by the IC, C&NW, and the Michigan Central. It was built to connect the C&NW (the first railroad west of Chicago) with the IC (the major railroad south of Chicago); the MC was probably the principal eastern railroad from Chicago at one time. I'm sure the CB&Q was a principal user of the line, but if I remember correctly, its line only extended as far east originally as a connection with Chicago near Western Avenue.

Senshi is correct about the two bascule bridges--the one that is permanently open was used by the B&OCT to get trains to Grand Central Station. The bridge that is almost always closed is on the St. Charles Air Line. I don't get down into the city often enough to see how railroads use it today.

I thought there was a formal name for this railroad, but I can't find it anywhere. In William D. Edson's book Railroad Names, the reference to the St. Charles Air Line says "Not a Railroad".

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I don't think that the St. Charles Air Line was ever established as a separate company like CWI but was only jointly owned trackage like the former C&EI between Dolton and Woodland Junction. MC's interest is not surprising since it originally entered Chicago on trackage rights on IC north of Kensington dating back to 1852.

CB&Q originally entered Chicago by trackage rights over C&NW from Turner Junction near West Chicago. The existing line was opened in 1864.

[Anonymous]

The C&NW would have been the Galena & Chicago Union RR then, wouldn't it? I think it was the "first" railroad in the region. It ran west through Rockford to Freeport. The IC Charter line connected there, and went west to Galena. As I recall, common thinking then was that Galena was to grow into Metropolis.

[northwesterner]

I believe the CN/IC connection is correct, as I've seen a number of IC trains on the Air Line over the past several years. I have friends who bought a condo literally overlooking the Air Line, and they say it is mosr definitely still in use, a lot. I have also seen Amtrak trains (probably from southern IL, or points east) coming across the Air LIne to access Union Station. The other bridge (as stated by cShaverr) was used by the B.O.C.T. to access Grand Central station. After it was torn down in 1971, the tracks didn't go anywhere, plus the viaduct west of the bridge is considered to be structurally unsound. Literally a bridge to nowhere. Also on the east side of the river were yards for Rock Island, Santa Fe and many other roads. If you get into town, check out Ping Tom Park. It's bounded by the river to the west, the tracks to Union station on the south, the 18th St. viaduct to the north and Chinatown to the east. Plus, tho old GM&O line to the Southwest passes THROUGH the park! Talk about up close and personal.

[Wdlgln005]

Near State Street I can remember a big produce warehouse icehouse. I wonder if it's still there? Just south of there was the home of Archer Avenue auto parts & a chrome bumper maker.

[northwesterner]

You are probably referring to a HUGE Beatrice Foods warehouse that was north of the Air Line near or on State St. It has been converted to condos. They have a great view of the Air Line, and probably don't like the noise. That's progress.