This was a CB&Q branch (built as the Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley =
OOFR) orignally running up west bank of Fox R from Aurora to St. Charles
(joined C&NW near present Metra depot) but abandoned from Geneva to St.
Charles in early 1900's and then from Geneva (terminated at that foundry
that had a big fire in 1980's) to No. Aurora was abandoned in early 1970's.
Still can see parts of old trestle on No side of Mooseheart campus and their
depot is still in place (Spanish style architecture & tile roof). ROW can be
seen thru parts of Mooseheart & Batavia. The Mooseheart orphans & Moose
members had big outings via CB&Q (there are pics in their museum). At No.
Aurora horses were once brought to racetrack by the CB&Q - now line ends
just south of there in the NIFA industrial park. The Barber-Greene plant,
closed in 1980's,is now a break bulk lumber yard with regular BN service (Or
did have when last I was there). There is also a Q branch up the east bank
as far as W. Chicago - actually the original CB&Q (Aurora Branch) pre-1864.
This is intact to south side of WeGo but no longer goes as far as C&NW (UP).
THe Q's Batavia depot from that branch is now located on W side of Batavia
on abandoned ROW of old C&NW branch that once ran from St. Charles to
Aurora. Batavia also has a preserved CB&Q wood waycar as does Mooseheart.
Loss of coal traffic to the Mooseheart power plant (converted) was one cause
of abandonment. In the good old days they had 3 raillines going past: CB&Q
on campus and C&NW & CA&E on E side. Now none! Gerald Edgar
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