Nostalgia & History > Ex-EL E8 on Chicago-Valpo train -- Sept 77

Conrail #4014 was an ex-EL/Erie E8 unit that was used earlier in the year on the Cleveland-Youngstown commuter run.
Here it leads one of the two eastbound evening Chicago-Valparaiso trains on the ex-PRR Chicago-Ft.Wayne line.

(1) A 3 car train with ex-PRR P70 coaches

(2-3) East of Chicago, I don't remember where this was -- maybe Whiting?

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(4) Does this line still exist?

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Great looking track. Thanks for posting the pictures - a true look back.

gcm Wrote:
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> Conrail #4014 was an ex-EL/Erie E8 unit that was
> used earlier in the year on the
> Cleveland-Youngstown commuter run.
> Here it leads one of the two eastbound evening
> Chicago-Valparaiso trains on the ex-PRR
> Chicago-Ft.Wayne line.
>
> (2-3) East of Chicago, I don't remember where this
> was -- maybe Whiting?

I don't think it's Whiting. The station (long gone) does not look right and there were four tracks (maybe five) going through Whiting (my fair city) at the time.

Yep, that's Whiting alright. I see you've got all four shots in sequence for the station stop. The last shot had me puzzled until I realized that Whiting Tower is hidden behind the train, the signal bridge in that shot was located just east of Front St. If you've ever seen the movie "Rudy" in the beginning of the movie they filmed on this right of way. In the very first photo you can see the double crossing gates for the odd 117th st crossing. Also, the PRR position light not on the signal bridge was protecting where the former NYC mainline tied in at (Lake Jct?)..pretty sure that was the name..

And to answer your questions about the line..No, they are building homes on the ROW and the last shot is completely changed now by the construction of a new baseball diamond.

Ryan



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/11 19:47 by Nictd1000.

Nictd1000 Wrote:
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>
> And to answer your questions about the line..No,
> they are building homes on the ROW and the last
> shot is completely changed now by the construction
> of a new baseball diamond.
>
> Ryan


Thanks for the info!

Gary

I guess my memory failed me here and I appreciate having the correct information. I left Whiting in 1971 and have only been back here for three years. I thought there were more tracks, but that was probably a memory from my youth in the 50s.

A question: in the first shot, is that a tower behind the illuminated signal? That would be west of 117th St., if I am viewing the photo correctly. What would have been its function, if it is indeed a tower?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/11 04:46 by colehour.