One thing I regtret not being able to have experienced as I was born too late to do so, was enjoy a nice leisurly Sunday ride aboard the Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway.
This little electric powered interurban railway, operated electric streetcars between the east terminal at South Archer and Cicero Avenues in the city of Chicago near what is now Midway Airport, to Ottawa Street in downtown far southwest suburban Joliet Illinois.
This electric interurban railway utilized lightweight city style streetcars on a ride approximately 20 miles long between the citties of Chicago and Joliet Illinois. The route followed mostly along what is today South Archer Road / Illinois U.S Route # 171. Many of the now outlying suburban towns it travelled through then like Justice, Willow Springs, Lemont and Lockport Illinois,...were little rural farming communities that were barely developed by todays standards. It must have been fun enjoying a ride through the countryside back then on this interurban railway on a Spring or Summer day with an open window to ones advantage and a breeze.
The Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway was in business from the early 1900's until the line went out of business due to bankruptcy in 1934, during the great depression.
Only one piece of operating equipment from this interurban railroad survives today. It is an old Maintenance of Way Department snow sweeper, that was sold to the Scranton Transit Company of Scranton Pennsylvania. It survives today in operating condition at the Trolleys to yesterday Museum in Rockhill Furnace Pennsylvania USA.
The old Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway carbarn, out of view near this photo location survives today in very heavily modeified form. It is now "The Landmark Restaurant and Banquet Hall" at the intersection of South Archer and Roberts Road.
Believe Me, If I had My way....the old Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway would be alive and well today and operating with modern LRV style equipment like in Portland Oregon.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
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