Friday, July 01, 2011

Chicago Gravel Company # 18 at sunset. Bensenville Illinois. July 2008.

One of My favorite landmarks in the greater Chicagoland area, is preserved Chicago Gravel Company 1922 built Alco 0-6-0 steam locomotive switcher # 18.

This locomotive is displayed just east of the intersection of Church Road and Main Street, in northwest suburban Bensenville Illinois USA, near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

This vintage steam locomotive, was originally the Studebaker automobile factory plant switcher in South Bend Indiana. When the Studebaker plant no longer needed it, they sold it second hand to The Chicago Gravel Company in South Elgin Illinois to switch their quarry operation.

After retirement from service, the Chicago Gravel Company donated the cosmetically restored locomotive to the village of Bensenville Illinois in 1961.

Yes, the sun did eventually set on the steam era in the greater Chicagoland area. This locomotive has been on display for many years at this location.

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