One of My happy memories I have come to experience, was discovering the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad when I attended Chicago's Curie High School from 1977 until 1981.
Directly behind Curie High School, were two railroad branchlines. There was the IHB Stockyards branchline immediately behind the schools back fence. It was in sad shape with rotted ties, kinked rails, and switching locals that resembled the 1950's era New York Central Railroad freight trains.

Approximately 60 feet immediately to the south of the IHB Stockyards branch, was a Brlt Railway of Chicago owned branchline, wich was used by the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe transfer trains arriving and departing from nearby Corwith Yard. The BRC line is still in operation today, heavilly ballasted and very well maintained. The IHB Stockyards branchline, was abandoned in December of 1988, and the rails were removed the following year. The IHB stockyards branchline right of way, would soon be developed in to the CTA orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. It opened for operation in 1993.

Although this photo was taken at Blue Island Illinois in 1977, this faded IHB jade green caboose with the blanked out cupola windows, was a daily sight that greeted Me every morning when I attended Curie High School. The IHB Stockyards locals utilized these, as well as first generation EMD NW-2 switchers in black and white New York Central colors.

This photo is from My links page Fallen Flags.Org to the right of Your
computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

Happy memories!
Thanks.
Eddie K.