David Leider 304 pages softcover
This book traces the history of the Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad from before its inception, including its battles to get to the center of the city and build its depot. The story continues through the formation of Amtrak and its sale to the Missouri Pacific in 1981. The book also has short histories of its five proprietary lines, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & Grand Trunk, the Wabash, the Erie, the Monon and its lessee, the Santa Fe.
This documents the development of the Belt Railway of Chicago. It includes the history of the Chicago Union Transfer Railway; it’s re-building of Clearing Yard and sale to the Belt. In 1952 the Belt purchased its property from the C&WI and emerged as an independent company. It went through some hard times after deregulation but today is an energetic, vibrant company.
The author had access to a wide variety of materials from various sources, including original documents, manuscripts and much more. This book is a must have if you are interested in the early history of Chicago railroads or Dearborn Station, the Belt Railway of Chicago and Clearing Yard.
