Monday, September 26, 2011

The manualally operated crossing gate operators tower on West 51st Street, at the GTW Elsdon Yard. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo, way back in October of 1983.

Time had finally ran out for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad's own steam era Elsdon Yard on West 51st Street in Chicago, when I took this photo on what turned out to be...the final week of operation prior to abandonement.

For many years, this wooden tower on the north side of West 51st Street about one block east of South Lawndale Avenue, manually controlled the crossing gate signals at this busy 14 track yard facility on the southwest side of Chicago.

One week after I had taken this photo, this tower was demolished on site. If You look carefully, You can see the tower's operator watching Me from the shadows inside.

1 comment:

Anthony C said...

Like a lot of railroaders, that employee was probably thinking "What is that nut taking pictures of?"

ha ha

We do get some pretty odd reactions, that's for sure. Glad you got this interesting shot.