Leo and Group-
I believe the “roundhouse” that burned was in fact an earlier single stall house that had been previously located in….of all places….Hinsdale!!!
One of the earliest suburban trains was the Hinsdale Accommodation and the house was probably located just west of the original Hinsdale depot which was on the north side of the tracks. It was relocated to Shabbona per the 1872 Annual Report and is likely the building that burned.
Charlie Vlk
Shabbona-go to BRHS Bulletin 51, bottom of page 9 for a late teens/early 20s Plat map showing the
Location of the one stall house and turntable at Shabbona. Prior to this arrangement there
Had been a "Roundhouse" that burned. Don't know how many stalls. The 4 page centerfold out
In BB51 has the engineering drawings for the one stall house. It also contains a local newspaper
Clipping chastising the Q for its slowness in replacing the "Roundhouse".
What has long been forgotten was the fact Shabbona was a originating/terminating point
For Wayfreights in three directions. It also had what today might be called block swapping,
Passenger train connections in three directions,etc. a little of this comes out in the "Shabbona
Milk Train" article in BB51. Someday there may be a future article on the "Roustabout" which will
Deal with Shabbona ops. In detail.