Hello group, could anyone tell me what magazine issue had drawings of car 500 for the Pioneer Zephyr?you, Rex Moore On Thu, Sep 7, 2017 at 8:25 PM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Messages
Wed Sep 6, 2017 8:39 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
In the 1940 list of turntables and engine stalls, I assume that the dash for length of turntable for Streator, Ottawa, Kewanee, Shabbona and Peru means that they did not have turntables that needed to be accounted for in the 1940 report. Did any of them ever have turntables in the pre-WWI period?
Thu Sep 7, 2017 4:16 am (PDT) . Posted by:
Hol,
Thank you for the info.
Randy
> On Sep 5, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Hol Wagner holpennywagner@msn.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>
> Randy:
>
>
>
> Here's the Lacrosse Division page from the 1940 listing of Q turntables and roundhouses. As you can see, North Lacrosse had an 85-foot turntable and a 19-stall roundhouse. I don't know which stalls were still standing in 1968.
>
>
>
> Hol
>
>
>
> <CB&Q Lines East Roundhouses, Turntables, 12-10-1940, P. 2.jpg>
>
>
>
>
> From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 8:58 AM
> To: CBQ
> Subject: [CBQ] List of turntables
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I’m looking for a list of turntables used by the CB&Q. Most importantly the size and design or construction of them. I’m modeling the North La Crosse yard in 1968. From what I can make out from any maps I have of the yard It looks to be a 90’ table. I plan on doing a 6 stall roundhouse as well.
>
> Any help would be really great.
>
> Thank you and a great day,
> Randy Doman
>
>
>
Thu Sep 7, 2017 6:30 am (PDT) . Posted by:
Streator had a turn table and rounchouse at one time and am not sure when taken out. It does show on Sanborn maps but often these need to be field checked as they are fire insurance maps and railroads were most often self insured so items do not show or are incorrect
My list in the file section shows La Salle with a 75 footer installed in 1919 recycled from Mendota after a new one was put in there in 1918(85 footer)From my research (reading papers 1890-1935) There never was a roundhouse in Ottawa only the engine house that is there now(or was??) a square two stall house.As steam go bigger on the main lines so to did the turntables need to get bigger with the small ones recycled often to branch lines. Even still often the tables could not handle all the enginesExample: Just because Buda shows a turntable in the sign column of the timetable (B.T.W) on the chart the table was only good for F1 with full tender and K2 with empty tender IF you had a O, S, or M locomotive you would have to use Wye (Y) at Zearing or run backwards (Page 17 in Consolidated Code 1967)Steve in SC
On Thursday, September 7, 2017 7:16 AM, "Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Hol,
Thank you for the info.
Randy
On Sep 5, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Hol Wagner holpennywagner@msn.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Randy:
Here's the Lacrosse Division page from the 1940 listing of Q turntables and roundhouses. As you can see, North Lacrosse had an 85-foot turntable and a 19-stall roundhouse. I don't know which stalls were still standing in 1968.
Hol
<CB&Q Lines East Roundhouses, Turntables, 12-10-1940, P. 2.jpg>
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 8:58 AM
To: CBQ
Subject: [CBQ] List of turntables Hi Everyone,
I’m looking for a list of turntables used by the CB&Q. Most importantly the size and design or construction of them. I’m modeling the North La Crosse yard in 1968. From what I can make out from any maps I have of the yard It looks to be a 90’ table. I plan on doing a 6 stall roundhouse as well.
Any help would be really great.
Thank you and a great day,
Randy Doman
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Thu Sep 7, 2017 7:04 am (PDT) . Posted by:
Rockfalls rdhse. Was the servicing point for a motor car run that will be featured in a future article in the BRHS Bulletin entitled the Sterling Motor Car.
If anyone has a photo of the Roundhouse it would be greatly appreciated for use in the article. Taking the motor car from Sterling to the Rockfalls depot generated many
Time slips by the road brakemen. They felt this was the switch crews job and after 16 hours on duty I'm sure they wanted to get home so they could start all over again in less than 8 hours.
Thanks,
Leo
> On Sep 6, 2017, at 2:32 PM, Dustin Holschuh dholschuh@yahoo.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> Rock Falls Il also had a 3 stall roundhouse with turntable . The roundhouse stopped
> Being used mid 50s.
>
>
> Dustin Holschuh
> Peoria, Illinois
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>
> On Wed, Sep 6, 2017 at 12:40 PM, William Husband kybillhusb@gmail.com [CBQ]
> <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> [Attachment( s) from William Husband included below]
> Here is a list of CB&Q (or predecessor) roundhouses that I have. If you have additions or corrections, please let the group and me know.
>
>
Thu Sep 7, 2017 7:21 am (PDT) . Posted by:
Couple interesting side notes.
Streator- the brakemen on the Fox River motor car were required to take the motor car to the
Streator Roundhouse at the end of their runs. The house was a bit north of the depot and required
Some switch throwing, etc to get to the house. This activity generated lots of claims for
Doing yard work.
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.
Leo
> On Sep 7, 2017, at 8:20 AM, STEVEN HOLDING sholding@sbcglobal.net [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> Streator had a turn table and rounchouse at one time and am not sure when taken out. It does show on Sanborn maps but often these need to be field checked as they are fire insurance maps and railroads were most often self insured so items do not show or are incorrect
> My list in the file section shows La Salle with a 75 footer installed in 1919 recycled from Mendota after a new one was put in there in 1918(85 footer)
> From my research (reading papers 1890-1935) There never was a roundhouse in Ottawa only the engine house that is there now(or was??) a square two stall house.
> As steam go bigger on the main lines so to did the turntables need to get bigger with the small ones recycled often to branch lines. Even still often the tables could not handle all the engines
> Example: Just because Buda shows a turntable in the sign column of the timetable (B.T.W) on the chart the table was only good for F1 with full tender and K2 with empty tender IF you had a O, S, or M locomotive you would have to use Wye (Y) at Zearing or run backwards (Page 17 in Consolidated Code 1967)
> Steve in SC
>
>
> On Thursday, September 7, 2017 7:16 AM, "Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hol,
>
> Thank you for the info.
>
> Randy
>
>> On Sep 5, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Hol Wagner holpennywagner@msn.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Randy:
>>
>> Here's the Lacrosse Division page from the 1940 listing of Q turntables and roundhouses. As you can see, North Lacrosse had an 85-foot turntable and a 19-stall roundhouse. I don't know which stalls were still standing in 1968.
>>
>> Hol
>>
>> <CB&Q Lines East Roundhouses, Turntables, 12-10-1940, P. 2.jpg>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 8:58 AM
>> To: CBQ
>> Subject: [CBQ] List of turntables
>>
>>
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>> I’m looking for a list of turntables used by the CB&Q. Most importantly the size and design or construction of them. I’m modeling the North La Crosse yard in 1968. From what I can make out from any maps I have of the yard It looks to be a 90’ table. I plan on doing a 6 stall roundhouse as well.
>>
>> Any help would be really great.
>>
>> Thank you and a great day,
>> Randy Doman
>>
>
>
>
>
Thu Sep 7, 2017 10:51 am (PDT) . Posted by:
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&qu ot; 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&qu ot;.
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&qu ot; which will
Deal with Shabbona ops. In detail.
Thu Sep 7, 2017 11:12 am (PDT) . Posted by:
The ever frugal Q !
> On Sep 7, 2017, at 12:51 PM, cvlk@comcast.net [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
> 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&qu ot; 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&qu ot;.
>
>
>
>
>
> 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&qu ot; which will
>
> Deal with Shabbona ops. In detail.
>
>
>
>
Thu Sep 7, 2017 11:59 am (PDT) . Posted by:
Thank you for the additional information.
Did the Q ever have a wye in Ottawa?
I remember that on one of the fan trips my father prepared the curve that started south of the CRI&P-Q diamond by oiling the rails so the engine could negotiate the curve and be turned.
If the Q did not have a wye in Ottawa, I wonder how they turned it.
The engine house is still in the same place in Ottawa and it is the same two stall metal building that has been there since at least the 1950s when I first visited it.
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2017 9:22 AM
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CBQ] List of turntables
Couple interesting side notes.
Streator- the brakemen on the Fox River motor car were required to take the motor car to the
Streator Roundhouse at the end of their runs. The house was a bit north of the depot and required
Some switch throwing, etc to get to the house. This activity generated lots of claims for
Doing yard work.
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.
Leo
On Sep 7, 2017, at 8:20 AM, STEVEN HOLDING sholding@sbcglobal.net<mailto:sholding@sbcglobal.net> [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com>> wrote:
Streator had a turn table and rounchouse at one time and am not sure when taken out. It does show on Sanborn maps but often these need to be field checked as they are fire insurance maps and railroads were most often self insured so items do not show or are incorrect
My list in the file section shows La Salle with a 75 footer installed in 1919 recycled from Mendota after a new one was put in there in 1918(85 footer)
>From my research (reading papers 1890-1935) There never was a roundhouse in Ottawa only the engine house that is there now(or was??) a square two stall house.
As steam go bigger on the main lines so to did the turntables need to get bigger with the small ones recycled often to branch lines. Even still often the tables could not handle all the engines
Example: Just because Buda shows a turntable in the sign column of the timetable (B.T.W) on the chart the table was only good for F1 with full tender and K2 with empty tender IF you had a O, S, or M locomotive you would have to use Wye (Y) at Zearing or run backwards (Page 17 in Consolidated Code 1967)
Steve in SC
On Thursday, September 7, 2017 7:16 AM, "Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com<mailto:cbq1968@gmail.com> [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com>> wrote:
Hol,
Thank you for the info.
Randy
On Sep 5, 2017, at 12:53 PM, Hol Wagner holpennywagner@msn.com<mailto:holpennywagner@msn.com> [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com>> wrote:
Randy:
Here's the Lacrosse Division page from the 1940 listing of Q turntables and roundhouses. As you can see, North Lacrosse had an 85-foot turntable and a 19-stall roundhouse. I don't know which stalls were still standing in 1968.
Hol
<CB&Q Lines East Roundhouses, Turntables, 12-10-1940, P. 2.jpg>
________________________________
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com> <CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com>> on behalf of Randall Doman cbq1968@gmail.com<mailto:cbq1968@gmail.com> [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com<mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 8:58 AM
To: CBQ
Subject: [CBQ] List of turntables
Hi Everyone,
I’m looking for a list of turntables used by the CB&Q. Most importantly the size and design or construction of them. I’m modeling the North La Crosse yard in 1968. From what I can make out from any maps I have of the yard It looks to be a 90’ table. I plan on doing a 6 stall roundhouse as well.
Any help would be really great.
Thank you and a great day,
Randy Doman
____________ _________ _________ __
Note: Email to or from Heartland Community College employees may be subject to disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. This communication is the property of Heartland Community College and is intended only for use by the recipient identified. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete the original communication. Any distribution or copying of this message without the College’s prior consent is prohibited.
Thu Sep 7, 2017 2:40 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
Also on my way back from Alliance to Chicago I drove through Oberlin, KS and Atlanta, NE. I obtained photos of the old wood Grain Elevator in Oberlin and took pictures of the one still standing in Atlanta.
Thu Sep 7, 2017 2:41 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
I was driving south out of Alliance, NE after watching the eclipse and saw this no longer being used Turntable in Bridgeport, NE. Help please on below info.
1. What is it's length? My guess 100'
2. When was it built?
3. Who built it?
4. Anyone got a footprint with the Roundhouse before being used for grain trucks?
I took these pictures very quickly as there were two 100 car coal trains getting ready to start and cut me off of where I had parked.
thanks
Jack
www.VCLCo.com
Thu Sep 7, 2017 2:17 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
I grew up in Oswego (1949-1958) and attended third grade at the Little
White School. My mother, Arlene Husband, was a teacher at the Little White
School, when Traughber was Superintendent. I am also a "life member" of the
Little White School Museum. The President of the Little White School
Museum, Judy Wheeler, is a classmate of mine.
If you have the opportunity to visit the museum, you need to take the time
to do so and say hello to Judy for me. She and the other volunteers have
done a fantastic job developing converting a three room school to a great
museum. It is a gem. They also have a very large archival records of local
history at the museum.
The museum archives include Transcriptions of Oswego Township and Kendall
County news items of local importance from the Illinois Free Trader,
Ottawa, (1849), Kendall County Courier, Oswego, (1853-59), Kendall County
Free Press, Oswego, (1860-1863); Kendall County Record (1864-1951); and the
Oswego Ledger (1950-1969). The transcription project was started by Ford
Lippold, who completed the first 30 pages in 1976. It was resumed by Roger
Matile in 2008 and completed in 2012. Roger Matile has written a number of
wonderful articles on local railroad history that were published in the
Aurora Beacon newspaper over the years. He probably still has copies of
these histories. See https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org/learn/historic-
oswego/oswego-news-columns/
The museum address is 72 Polk Street Oswego, IL 60543. Tel: 630.554.2999
https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org
The transcriptions include hundreds of references to local railroads. I did
a simple search of https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/
2017/04/1870-1889.pdf and* found 239 hits* for the search term "railroad".
The construction of the Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Railroad (pdf
refers to it as the Ottawa & Fox River Valley Railroad and the Fox River
Valley Railroad)(Geneva-Streator, chartered 1852, opened 1871) is mentioned
many times.
Additional topics include Oswego, Yorkville, Bristol, Dayton (a point north
of Ottawa) ice houses (presumably along the Fox River at Yorkville),
complaints about freight rates (which led to the Grange Laws), bankruptcy
of the OO&FRV, Bonds issued by Kendall County and local cities to finance
construction, history of the OO&FRV, also the mainline of the CB&Q between
Aurora & Galesburg: Aurora, Plano, Mendota (and the CB&Q Water
reservoir."Lake Mendota") are mentioned, the Millington Narrow-Gauge
Railroad (the Chicago, Millington & Western Railway organized to build from
Chicago to Muscatine, IA in 1872, but built from Chicago to "Brush Hill" in
DuPage County"; abandoned 1879),
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History of the OO&FRV
References
http://www.ledgersentinel.com/article.asp?a=4465
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Trains/IC
C_valuations/Chicago,_Burlington_and_Quincy_Railroad
http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924030125623/cu31924030125623_djvu.txt
http://www.abandonedrails.com/North_Aurora_to_Geneva
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030125623/cu31924030125623_djvu.txt
https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/1870-1889.pdf
The Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley Railroad (Fox River Branch Railroad)
built the Fox River branch of the Burlington between Geneva and Streator
on the east side of the Fox River. The line that we know as the Fox River
branch ran from a junction just south of Aurora, near Montgomery, to
Oswego, Yorkville, and Streator, where large supplies of coal were located.
The railroad was an important artery connecting the coal mines in
north-central Illinois with northern Illinois.
This line was originally chartered in 1852, in Newark, IL, to build a
railroad from Ottawa north to Elgin, and from Ottawa south to Bloomington
and beyond, but remained inactive until end of the Civil War. In 1866,
local farmers were seeking less expensive transportation means for grain
shipments, while others were seeking less costly alternatives to access the
coal mines in Ottawa. The line was built in two sections: a northern
section (Geneva-Aurora, 9.5 miles) and a southern section
(Montgomery-Streator-Winona, 57.5 miles). The southern section between
Montgomery and Streator was built first, and then the "extension" between
Aurora and Geneva on the west side of the Fox River was built at a later
date.
Around 1867, the railroad built a 12 mile extension from Streator to a
connection with the Illinois Central at Wenona (or Winona)*. This trackage
was later purchased by the St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago, which became
part of the Alton Railroad.
* Wenona appears to be on the original mainline of the Illinois Central
that went north from Cairo, Illinois, at the southern tip of the state, to
Mendota, Galena and Dunleith, IL on the Mississippi River opposite Dubuque,
IA, Mendota was a major junction point between the Burlington, the iC and
later the Milwaukee Road.
In April 1869, the company was authorized to finance the line with bonds
sold by municipalities along the route. Residents of Oswego voted to buy a
half interest in the new line, while other towns along the line raised a
similar amount. The line was built in two parts: the main line running from
Montgomery (Aurora) to Streator, and a second line running from Aurora to
Geneva. Although the Ottawa, Oswego & Fox River Valley signed a
construction contract with Oliver Young, who then assigned the contract to
C.H. Force & Co, who in turn contracted for the actual construction with
James F. Joy of the CB&Q. Joy agreed to have the CB&Q build the road, and
then lease the line in perpetuity. Construction began immediately, and the
line became operational in 1870, with the entire line being opened for
business on January 15, 1871. In 1871, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
gained control of the line. Eventually, the line was extended to tap the
coal mines in Streator, IL. Poors Manual of 1903 indicates the line began
in Geneva, rather than Aurora.
1977- The Fox River Branch line between North Aurora and Geneva was
abandoend in 1977 (this line ran on the west side of the Fox River).
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The Chicago, Millington & Western Railroad was chartered to build a 210
mile line from Chicago, Illinois to Muscatine, Iowa, via Warrenville,
Millington, Princeton, and Neponset, paralleling the Burlington Railroad.
(Ref 1). Ten miles of the road were graded some rails were laid by 1875,
but no further work done, the railroad never opened. See also Chicago &
Muscatine Railroad, which may be related. (Ref 1)
The End of the Millington Narrow-Gauge Railroad (Ref 2)
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad has secured possession of the
Chicago, Millington and Western railroad, a narrow-gauge line running from
Chicago to a point known as Brush Hill in DuPage county. (Brush Hill seems
to be part of Naperville, which is located on the Burlington mainline.
There were many gravel pits in this area, which may account for the
construction of the line. With a length of 11 miles, the road would not
have started in Chicago proper) The road was secured at a private sale and
the consideration in the neighborhood of $75,000. The road was commenced in
1874, and was contemplated to extend to the Western limits of the state,
but the scheme failed and nothing has been done toward extending the road
beyond its present terminus since that time. The road begins at the
bridewell and runs west, crossing the Burlington road near Lawndale and
thence to some gravel beds at Brush Hill. It is expected the Burlington
Company will relay the tracks and use the road to transport gravel from the
company’s pits located near the near the present terminus of the line. The
rolling stock and other machinery of the road was purchased by some parties
interested in an eastern narrow-gauge road.--Aurora Herald.
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Standard Time (1883):
“On Sunday next, Nov. 18th, 1883, at noon, the Standard Time of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R.R. east of the Missouri river will be
changed to conform to the 19th meridian or central time, which is nine
minutes slower than Chicago time, which is the present standard. This new
time will be generally adopted by all the railroads in this section of the
country and I would suggest the advisability of your considering its
adoption for the standard time in your city. For your further information,
I will send you by mail today a copy of our instructions to employees in
regard to carrying the change into effect.”
Oswego Depot 1884
"The business doings of the depot during 1884 are summed up as follows:
Total number of car loads sent and received, 1,468; of which there were
that of ice 1,089; stock 127; household goods 18; lumber 68; coal 97; the
remainder were miscellaneous. The number of tickets sold is 12,093.
Supposed to be a respectable showing for Oswego."
New Yorkville Depot 1885
"The good people of Yorkville and vicinity are greatly pleased with the new
railway station and the appointments thereto belonging. They feel that
thanks are due to the officials of the Great Burlington Route for their
care of the little Fox River branch, and the improvements made thereon. The
new station house is 50 feet longer than it was. The freight room on the
east end and takes up about 50 feet. In this room, in the northwest corner,
has been placed a tight little safety-box where packages of value can be
securely locked up. Coming next is the gentlemen’s waiting room-- then the
office where Brother Lyons holds forth in pride and benignant joy; and west
of this is the ladies’ waiting room where they can be to themselves away
from soggy pipes, bad cigars, steaming garments, and all the ills with
which men are afflicted. They have a pleasant room. The interior of the
waiting rooms and office is painted a light blue, with drab trimmings,
white ceiling, and maroon shelving. The bay window in the ticket office is
a great improvement and Agent Lyons can now see the trains coming without
risking his neck and his health. We all feel proud of our new depot, of the
Burlington officials, of our Station Agent, and of our town."
Flagman rule implemented (1889)
Business on the Fox River road has picked up in the past few weeks. All the
regular freight trains are running and some extra ones. Under the new rules
of putting a flagman to the rear of all trains, they make more noise than a
pig under a gate in whistling them back again.
Block Signal station at Oswego (1889)
"Station Agent Lyons is now practicing on the new semaphore and signals,
which were put on the depot at Yorkville last week. It is quite an imposing
machine. A long wooden box or tube 20 or 30 feet high runs from the office
floor above the roof of the station; on this are signal arms, green and
red, worked by levers in the office; also lamps which are raised and
lowered in the tube by a crank and chain in the office. The signals made
above are repeated before the operator in the office, and mirror,
slantwise, at the bottom of the tube shows that the lamps are burning all
right. It takes a good deal of machinery to run all this, and Mr. Lyons is
certainly warranted in having his salary raised."
Train delays
"A broken rail down near Ottawa Monday night detained all freight trains on
the Fox River road, and the up-river passenger Tuesday morning was an hour
and a quarter late."
Train Strike February 1888
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlington_railroad_strike_of_1888
"Yorkville: At 4 o'clock Monday morning the 2,000 locomotive engineers and
firemen on the Burlington system between Chicago and Denver run their
trains to the nearest terminus of the road, detached their locomotives, and
abandoned them after safely housing them in the roundhouse. The strike
involves to a greater or less extent all classes of railroad employees."
"Yorkville: So far as the Fox River line is concerned, it would seem that
the strike had failed, for our passenger and freight trains are running as
usual and on time. But on the main line there is still some delay as to
stock and freight trains. (March 14, 1888...)"
Railway Post Office
"A mail pouch between Aurora and this place (Oswego?) is now being conveyed
in addition to the regular mails; it is received from the 6:30 p.m. train
and sent on the 8:54 a.m. Mail matter to be sent by it must reach the
postoffice by 8:30 when it will be closed. It is important to be on time as
there can be no mailing on the train when too late at the postoffice."
Train "Bandits"
"Andy Taylor, the “bandit king” of Tennessee, was hung Friday. While on a
train going from Knoxville to London, he slipped a revolver out of a
guard’s pocket and got the muzzle to the head of the Sheriff. Mistaking the
weapon for a self-cocker, he lost time and was knocked down before he could
raise the hammer. The rescue of the eldest Taylor by his two brothers,
involving the assassination of a Sheriff and the capture of a train with
100 passengers, the death of the two elder Taylors, and the killing of
still another Sheriff are matters of quite recent but highly remarkable
history."
Snow storms
"Monday’s Aurora News, in speaking of the railroad blockade, says: The snow
plow went west on Saturday and went through to Mendota. After it left
Plano, going west, freight train No. 47 left Plano for the east. Before it
reached Bristol it was stalled and the snow began piling up against it. On
one side, the snow was as high as the cars and on the other about four feet
deep. All the space under the cars was filled. this entirely blocked the
road then. All attempts to move the train or dig it out on Saturday were in
vain, as the snow blew in as fast as it was dug out. Mr. Olsen, with a gang
of men and three engines, left here this morning to clear the north track
between here and Mendota. When near Bristol two of the engines left the
track and blockaded the track that had been cleared of snow. The wrecker
went down to straighten things out." "Bristol: The worst snow storm of the
season on Friday last, with the mercury 20 degrees below on Thursday and
our coal dealer clean out of coal. Some were necessitated to go to
Yorkville through the driving storm to procure coal to keep from freezing
out altogether. Coal dealers in Streator telegraphed dealers here that they
could not get cars to ship; too bad that the CB&Q Company are limited on
their line in transportation." "Yorkville: Fox River freight trains are
very uncertain as to time this cold weather.(1884..?)""“Is the train in?”
asked an anxious individual of Arthur Dixon, assistant manager of the
Yorkville depot Monday afternoon. “Yes, she’s in,” said Dixie; “In a snow
bank!” The “open winter” man had the last sod put on his prophetic grave
Friday morning when the thermometers here indicated 32 degrees below zero.
It was a still cold day--but it was cold. Regular Minnesota weather."
"During the storm two weeks ago all who were caught in the drifts in the
vicinity of AuxSable Grove made tracks for the old Cherry mansion in which
Charley Cherry and his accomplished wife held forth. Sleigh after sleigh
entered the yard and the occupants were ushered into the large parlors and
thawed out before the fires. From Sunday the 15th until the middle of the
week, 18 persons depended on the hospitality of these good people Charley
had killed one of his fattest cattle and with the good cookery of which the
house is noted, every meal was a feast. When the storm was over and the
roads had been opened so the folks could go on their way, there was a
genuine sigh of regret. They had been made so welcome that it was hard to
tear themselves away. Charley Cherry is gaining the reputation for
hospitality and big-heartedness that characterized his good old father
during his time, when the country was new."
"Yorkville: The Ottawa Free Trader of last Saturday says the ice in the
rivers began moving yesterday afternoon, and has since been running at
times heavily. The chief damage done was to the trestle work at the south
end of the public bridge over the Illinois river here. Some props were
knocked out, rendering some 30 feet of the roadway dangerous. Repairs were
begun immediately. The iron armor of one pier of the same bridge was also
knocked off."
Farming interests:
"The dairy interests of this part of Kendall county continue to grow
rapidly. Friday morning, the shipments by express from Yorkville and Oswego
detained the train at each station to load milk, butter, and though not a
dairy product, eggs. From Oswego, half a ton of butter was shipped for New
Orleans. There are two cheese and butter factories at Oswego one at Bristol
Station, one at Yorkville, and a butter factory at Plattville." "George
Ernst, a young fellow, and the Sorg boys--small boys--bound and shocked 35
acres of oats in five days in Michael Sorg's farm." Dec. 15: Hogs are
booming; six carloads were shipped last night."
"Wm. Findley & Bro. are agoing to set out 12,000 catalpa seedlings the
coming spring. The catalpa tree is considered the most durable timber for
fence posts and railroad ties.(our farm had about half a dozen catalpa
trees in back of the corn crib...probably came from this group)."
Oswego Creamery:
"This factory started last May to collect cream on the Fairlamb system. The
cans used seem to have proved very popular with the farmers, and they claim
they can get almost as much money for their cream as for their milk,
besides having the skim milk left on the farm in good condition for
feeding, an important item with the farmer. Mr. Partridge has over eight
hundred cans which have been distributed among one hundred and seventy
patrons with a prospect of a large increase the present season. ...Total
number of cream cans received: 88,253; Total pounds of butter made, 88,007;
Cash received: 21,408.25; Cash paid patrons, 17,604.66; Butter drawn out by
the patrons for own use, 6,013; Average pounds of butter made per day,
400." "At the Fox River Creamery there is a new washing machine which is
said to beat anything in creation for doing its work and doing it fast.
George Inman washed with it 100 milk sets in six minutes by the watch."
"The Millington Creamery will be operated this season.."
Ice Houses made up about 85% of the carloads shipped on from Yorkville or
Oswego during the 1880's
"The ice harvest has been carried on the past week with energy--the workmen
even forgetting when Sunday came. The large ice houses above Yorkville are
nearly filled and great quantities have been shipped to Chicago for
storing. Beck, Sullivan, Churchill, and Starr have all filled their houses,
so we can keep cool next summer. The ice is fair--some of it extra good
being from nine to eleven inches thick." "Troy, the suburb of Oswego, is
improving very much; besides the building of some private residences, the
ice company is putting up six new ice houses. They being much larger than
the old, 150 feet long and also higher--covering quite a tract of ground. "
THE OSWEGO ICE COMPANY Correspondence Aurora Beacon Our enterprising ice
company merits especial mention. Messrs. Esch Bros. & Rabe understand their
business, and do not hesitate to put money and energy into it. Their houses
are twenty in number, and are located some three-quarters of a mile north
from the depot, and connected therewith by telephone. They and the men in
their employ compose nearly the entire population of Troy, a suburb of this
village, and since they have been there that locality has vastly improved.
Fourteen of their houses are in one block and joining James Murphy's place
on the north, and cover an area of 100 by 400 feet with twenty-five foot
posts. These were built four years ago...Last fall they erected six
enormous houses 150 by 180 feet with thirty foot posts thereon. This puts
Murphy in bad shape--with a long row of high ice houses on the north of
him, and another still higher shading him on the south, with the trestle
work and machinery for hoisting and filling the houses still higher on the
west, and all in close proximity, the railroad and side track in addition
cutting him closely on the east, all of which hems him completely in, and
renders his property of but little value. This company also owns a number
of tenant houses for those in their employ, and two large boarding houses,
where they board those temporarily, in their employ while harvesting the
crop. The arrangements for gathering the crop is in every way complete--an
engine, with thirty-five horsepower, with endless chain, and so perfectly
adapted to the work that they can, with ease, house 1,000 tons of ice
daily. The ice is gathered from Parker's mill pond, and is of superior
quality, fifteen inches thick and perfectly free of anything but solid
crystal ice. At the present writing their houses are about half filled, and
fifteen days of good weather will complete the work of filling. It will be
seen at a glance that this company will do a large shipping business next
summer, and if the Northwestern R.R. Company want their share of it, they
should get their branch down through here as soon as possible. It is not
too much to say that Messrs. Esch Bros. & Rabe's freight bills the coming
season will amount to $50,000. Success to this enterprising company. May
their shadow never be less." "The ice company is shipping on the average
four car loads of ice per day.""The Chicago Ice Company put men to work on
the river here Saturday cutting ice and storing it in the big houses.
Saturday night about 30 men came out from Chicago and have made the ice
cakes rattle lively. The ice is in splendid condition--clear, hard, and
about the right thickness."
Manufacturing:
"Yorkville-The building of the Fox River Paper Company’s mill has taken
about all the available help about these villages, and it is a busy
place...An engine room is being built to the new mill on the west side for
a horizontal engine of 40 horsepower." "Hord & Co. are still making that
famous White Rose flour. Their mill has been rebuilt, and the roller system
of grinding introduced. They make three brands besides the White Rose,
viz.: Lily White, Daisy and Minnesota. [The business operated at Gray’s
Mill.]"
Oswego Depot February -- 1883
Feb. 1: The freight business at this station (Oswego?) for 1882 was 1,170
carloads received and forwarded. This is exclusive of the Express business.
Oswego Public Schools: "The following is the report of Oswego Public School
for month ending February 7th, 1883: Primary department, H. Ella Kerr,
teacher. No. enrolled, 50. Average attendance, 39. Roll of Honor: Edith
Schamp, Mabel Cooney, Jimmie Dwyre, George Lippold, Jay Richards, Charlie
Willis. Intermediate department, Kate Cliggitt, teacher. No. of pupils
enrolled, 63; average daily attendance, 55. Roll of Honor: Martha Potter,
Emma Sierp, Allie Switzer, Fanny Varner, Gracie Miller, Emma Haines, Harvey
Dickerson, Paul McConnell, Henry Miller, Earl Mullen, Arthur Switzer,
Pearce Wormley. W. McFarlane’s Room. No. of pupils in attendance, 49;
average daily attendance, 44.13. Roll of Honor: Libbie Andrews, Adda Van
Evers, Jesse Hill, Will Cooney Harry Minkler, Charles Herren, George Hill.
" (This is an interesting report. When I was in Oswego Grade School, we had
one class per grade, and altho they were large classes (30-35) for one
teacher, the classes were smaller than this reported 67 years before. Our
high school graduating class had 44 young men and women in 1958)"
Civil War Reunion 89th Illinois:
Arrangements have been made to have the first reunion of the “old Railroad
Regiment” on the Kendall County Fair Grounds of Thursday of next week,
Sept. 4th, at which time it is expected that Gov. Oglesby will give an
address.
Silliness
"Aurora papers say that D.J. Hoff, formerly a photographer in Yorkville,
late a brakeman on the CB&Q road, has fallen heir to a large fortune in New
Jersey. There are several here who would like to see him if he has lots of
money."
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Thumbnail histories of important towns and cities along the Burlington.
The early economic growth of these cities can be traced directly to the
Burlington. Sourced from Wikipedia, "BNSF Station Lists"
http://www.nprha.org/NP%20Track%20Segments%20of%20BNSF/BNSF%
20Stations%20List%20Revision%20B.pdf, and other web sites as noted:
Aurora was settled 1834, Incorporated as a village 1845, The Aurora Branch
RR (predecessor the CB&Q) opened in 1850. Up through the 1950's, Aurora was
an important manufacturing town.
Plano settled 1835, founded 1870 http://www.cityofplanoil.com/160/History,
became a CB&Q station in 1853 (Plano became an important agricultural mfg
center, reapers, etc)
Mendota incorporated 1853, same year it became a station stop on the CB&Q
See "Magnificent Whistle Stop: The 100 year story of Mendota"
https://archive.org/stream/magnificentwhist00mend#page/9/mode/1up
Oswego settled 1833, OO&FRV opened 1871.
Yorkville found 1833, OO&FRV opened 1871
Ottawa incorporated 1853, OO&FRV opened 1871
Streator settled 1821 OO&FRV opened 1871, Chicago & Alton 1871, Chicago,
Pekin & Southwestern (predecessor of the Santa Fe) 1873. See
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streator,_Illinois
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Posted by: REX MOORE <cbcduck@yahoo.com>
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