I just finished reading Fred Ash's expansive and detailed history of Chicago
Union Station. It covers the very beginnings of passenger service and stations
in Chicago up until recent years. My only suggested change to the book would be
more maps and photos of the Station. You may want to have Ed De Rouin's
"Chicago Union Station" on hand while reading Ashe's book to supplement for the
missing maps. The new book focuses more on the physical structure, politics of
financing and alterations over the decades, where De Rouin's focused more on
operations.
One thing the detailed discussions didn't mention is the extensive tunnel and
basement systems under the entire station and out to the old central post
office. I used to go exploring in these between train assingments and one day
found myself in the post office watching mail clerks sort mail and wondering
how I got there ! The tunnels is where the baggage room and a multitude of
maintenance shops were located.
After reading this work and Ed De Rouin's CUS history I have learned that the
massive trainman's locker room that I thought was the original and in place
since CUS had been built had actually started as food storage and preparation
areas for the Fred Harvey restaurants above it. And some of the space had
been a cafeteria and large public washroom.
So my question is where was the trainmans' locker room located before being
relocated to the basement along the south wall of the station head house area ?
Any idea when the move to the basement was made ? Was it related to the
destruction of the concourse ?
Leo Phillipp
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