Saturday, March 28, 2009

The old interlocking control tower at Western Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

The interlocking control tower just east of the Metra Western Avenue commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois. August 2006.

I took this photo on a rainy summer afternoon in August of 2006. Interlocking towers are largely obsolete in todays railroad world, but this old steam era example is very alive and well today at the Metra, Western Avenue commyter rail station, manually controling train traffic between two mainlines and two adjacent coach yards at this inter city junction. The Metra Western Avenue station, is a former Milwaukee Road facility.

3 comments:

Anthony C said...

Cool shot for many reasons: old factory, faded advertisement in the brick, RRing structures, spur track actually in use, gravel drive...very nice!

Anonymous said...

Hi Anthony!
Whats up? How are You buddy?
This photo definately captures the historic look and feel of the city of Chicago Illinois. It is timeless. It must have been quiete a place back in the 1930's and 40's when the Milwaukee Road streamlined Hiawatha passenger trains passed through here daily behind streamlined steam locomotives.

Thank You.
Eddie K
Eddie's Railfan Page
http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

Kratz said...

Just finished an article in Classic Trains, (Special collectors edition, Jan. 2011)"Working On The Railroad", called "A Cold & Snowy Night at Western Avenue". Western Ave. Jct. Tower had a "Red switch" which controlled the crossover between B&OCT & CJ. Very interesting story, but hard to follow without a track map of the junction.