Western Railroad Discussion > Lower that lift bridge!

Last May I accepted an invitation from TO member “ironmtn” to meet in Chicago for a few days of railfan photography. It was a most enjoyable time because I had someone who knew the Chicago area very well. I only knew what I had seen from Amtrak trips to & through the Windy City. Below I’m posting a series of images I thought were very interesting, at least from my smaller city origins. Maybe not so interesting to someone familiar with RR operations in the heart of Chicago, so you’ll have to indulge me just a bit …

1. This is a view south from the 18th St overpass. This is the RR lift bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River. Immediately upon a closer inspection I noticed that the bridge was…

2. …in the up position, leaving a huge gap in the tracks. Knowing something was about to happen I kept my attention on the gap. And sure enough…

3. …a barge/boat combo soon passed by on the river below.

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4. 5. & 6. The counter-weight begins its slow rise as the bridge deck begins its equally slow descent.

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7. 8. & 9. The deck is nearing its regular position.

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10. & 11. We’re getting real close…

12. …BINGO, clear signal! The tracks are once again open for business.
(12 photos taken from the W 18th St overpass in downtown Chicago, IL on May 27, 2017)

Thanks for watching!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

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Lance

Impressive sequence. Thanks

I know that area Lance. Went by the bridge a few times while in Chicago after meeting you aboard the Tioga Pass. Lots of bridges on the Chicago River although most vessels are low profile to clear without opening. Nice shots.

Posted from Android

Very cool set of pictures. Thank you for sharing!

They are interesting to watch...

A really interesting sequence! Looking at pica 10,11 & 12 made me want to see a video of those last few moments (minutes??). Thanks for sharing!!

Steve

Henderson NV

LittleDoc Wrote:
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> A really interesting sequence! Looking at pica
> 10,11 & 12 made me want to see a video of those
> last few moments (minutes??). Thanks for
> sharing!!
>
> Steve
>
> Henderson NV

If you're expecting to hear a loud "thud" when the bridge gets to the bottom - you'll be disappointed. Bridgetenders are artists!

-LD

LarryDoyle Wrote:
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>
> If you're expecting to hear a loud "thud" when the
> bridge gets to the bottom - you'll be
> disappointed. Bridgetenders are artists!
>
> -LD

Since July, 1983 when control of the bridge was transferred from
the CR South Branch Bridge operator to the Amtrak 14th St. Train
Director (and subsequent offices) the bridge has been a "push button"
affair. The only controls are "UP", "DOWN" and "EMERGENCY STOP"
(at least that was the case in 1983). The smoothness of the seating is
controlled by settings in the equipment.

Agree with you statement about bridgetenders when they were present.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area:

The two turnouts immediately south of the bridge heading to the right
lead to the ex-GM&O mains to St. Louis. Unfortunately, just out of view
to the right these tracks are connected to the ex-IC Iowa line and the
GM&O mains become storage tracks as far as Bridgeport.

The two tracks crossing on diamonds are the ex-IC Iowa mains.
The two tracks connect with the St. Charles Airline at 16th St Tower
aka Clark St.

The two tracks continuing south off the bridge and wiggling to the left
are the ex-PRR mains.

The turnout off the left hand PRR main is the connecting track to the
IC Iowa line.

The turnout off the right hand PRR mains is a connection to the ex-C&EI
Canal St. yard.

Further "up the hill" on the PRR is a turnout to the right to the old PRR main 4 and a
turnout to the Metra Runner used by the Metra Southwest Service (ex-Wabash).
Metra Southwest trains can use the Runner or the old PRR mains to CP 518.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/17 08:51 by Englewood.

Very interesting sequence of photos.

Having ridden Amtrak on every route into CUS many times, I never had to wait due to that bridge being open. It was interesting to see how it works.

But of bigger interest to me is 21st Street crossing on the other side. Once upon a time, there was something like 14-15 diamonds there, including multiple curving tracks crossing everything except the 'shortcut' to the Santa Fe passenger yard (now apartment houses). Some years I've even discovered a picture of the earlier tower there that was on stilts above the entire crossing. It must have been a hotbed of activity in the '40s and '50s when 4-5 railroads' passenger trains were banging through there 24 hours/day.

Here's a link to a series of pictures from those 'thrilling days of yesteryear...' http://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/2015/02/21st-street-crossing-or-alton-junction.html



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/17 19:32 by BRAtkinson.

Here are the last 45 seconds from a closing in September 2016.

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BRAtkinson Wrote: > ...  Here's a link ... http://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/2015/02/21st-street-crossing-or-alton-junction.html

VERY interesting! Thanks for provinding met yet another iron for my railfan fire... ;^)

Lance