Leo,
During the early and mid 70's there was a regular move of
furniture for Ethan Allen/American Traditional Interiors that
spotted on one of the two tracks down in the "hole" by the
street. Usually came into Chicago on the Big Four so we
would get it at Congress Park. Depending on the situation
and how badly they needed the Stone Ave abitrary the Congo
would dig out these cars and spot them.
Orignally the Hines track went straight thru the lumber yard
and connected to the lead that went down into the hole.
During the 60's and 70's ties and evidence of the switch were
still there. It could be that that was the original access to the
lumber yard and the West end was built later.
I'm pretty sure the track that went East off the East lead was
called the "Water Track". Probably because that was where the
standpipe was.
Also think that the yard tracks that were left were #2, #4, & #5.
#1 would been the old Main Track #1 when it went to Eola and
ripping it out would allow some space next to the main.
Russ
----- Original Message -----
From: <qutlx1@a...>
To: <brhslist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 25 July, 2002 21:52
Subject: [BRHSlist] Downers Grove
> John heres a few more tid bits about Downers.
> At the depot there used to be a track off main 3 that went near the depot
> and Pepperidge Farm used to load "jeeps" with bread there.The night dinky
> w/the wheel car would pick these up and take them to 14th st coach yard.
Rip
> Repetto(retired Condr) used to tell a couple gut busting stories about
this
> little known trinket. Off that "house" trk was another spur going east
that
> went up to the factory that is now the Downers Municipal building.
> On the North side off what I'll call the "tail" track(the one that goes
the
> farthest east to this day in the yard and used to go much further there
were
> a couple industries that received rail shipments. The one building is
still
> there.
> Just for clairification the industries at Downers were switched by the
East
> End w/f during the day in between the dinkies. Only the hot reefer move
and
> an occasional desperation switch of the flour trk at Pepperidge were the
only
> industry stuff the "Congo" would do.
> Leo
>
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