Trains - USA: Books - Railways in the Midwest Region (4/4)

Chicagoland Commuter Railroads: Metra and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

Commuter, or Suburban Rail Passenger Train Services have played an important role in the Chicago Metro area for well over 100 years. Since the city and its suburbs are economically interdependent with one another, passenger service is crucial to the economic health of the entire Chicago area.

This book begins with a brief, detailed review of each of the many commuter services offered in the Chicago area before the development of the Regional Transit Authority, and moves on to detailed in
Formation of routes, train frequency, number of passengers, and physical equipment of the Metra and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD, South Shore) services. Readers will also enjoy the colour photo gallery that concludes the book as well as the many photos throughout.

Chicago Stations & Trains Photo Archive

No other American city has had such a fascinating group of railroad passenger stations as Chicago. This book highlights Chicago's six major railroad stations and the trains that served them.
Included are Dearborn Station, Grand Central Station, Central Station, La Salle Street Station, North Western Station, and Union Station. During the heyday of passenger trains, Chicago was the undisputed rail centre of the United States and its railroad stations were the gateway to anywhere and everywhere.
Chicago's railroad stations featured superb architecture with marble floors and staircases, while restaurants, newsstands and shops filled the concourse areas. Steel latticework beams helped support glass-domed roofs and public address systems echoed train in formation throughout the high-ceiling stations.

Huge station clocks loomed above the brass and neon train bulletin boards that listed ''On Time'' trains. Beyond the boarding gates, the constant parade of trains sounded with clanging bells and rumbling steel wheels. Historic photographs feature name trains like Super Chief, Capitol Limited, 20th Century Limited, Broadway Limited, California Zephyr, Hiawatha, 400, and City of Denver. Included are maps, station drawings, timetables and promotional advertising.

Chicago & North Western - Passenger Trains of the 400 Fleet Photo Archive

The Chicago & North Western was well-known for its Chicago-Twin Cities 400 passenger train. Encouraged by the success of the Twin Cities 400, the North Western established an entire fleet of regional streamliners that brought people from Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wisconsin's North Woods, Upper Michigan, and southern Minnesota into the big city of Chicago for a day of shopping or business.

The yellow-and-green ''400 Fleet'' had a loyal following of passengers not served by rivals Burlington Route or Milwaukee Road. ''Ride the 400 - Speed, Luxury and Safety,''400 Miles in 400 Minutes'' and ''The Train that Set the Pace for the World'' were successful advertising slogans for business and vacation travelers.
Coverage includes the Twin Cities 400, Minnesota 400, Peninsula 400, Flambeau 400, Kate Shelley 400, and commuter streamliners.

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway 1880-1940 Photo Archive

The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway was one of the Upper Midwest's foremost freight and passenger lines, eventually merged into the Chicago and Northwesters.

A collection of photos from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin that includes steam engines, rolling stock, depots, shops, yards, tunnel and line construction.

Chicago Postwar Passenger and Commuter Trains

In 1948, Chicago was the gathering place of 22 railroads, seven belt and switching roads, eight industrial railroads and three electric lines. Track was everywhere as passenger trains and commuter trains crowded the approaches to the terminals near the Chicago Loop, undisputed railroad capital of the world.

"Chicago Passenger Trains & Commuter Trains" captures the spirit and challenges of the post-World War II era, as streamlined passenger trains arrived and departed from Chicago's six celebrated stations during the pinnacle years of intercity train service.
Vintage photographs show powerful diesel locomotives in Art Deco paint schemes leading modern coaches, sleepers, diners, observation cars and heavyweight cars of the foremost eastern trains, connecting in Chicago with the famous western trains.

Interurban Trains to Chicago Photo Archive

This book follows Samuel Insull's Great Chicago Systems, three superb interurban routes powered by electric traction that carried passengers from the north, west and southwest into downtown Chicago. They were the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, and the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad.
Coverage includes the Skokie Valley Route, South Shore Lines and Sunset Lines. Vintage photographs, timetables and poster advertising are featured.