Having six intercity passenger terminals at one time, and that doesn’t include the electric interurbans, is a muscle flex to Chicago’s claim as the nation’s railroad capital. That is also why former Trains and Classic Trains Senior Editor J. David Ingles made regular visits to document whatever was left, prior to Amtrak’s formation in May 1971. Looking back at the postwar era, which railroads terminated where in the Windy City, and which of these stations are still standing or long gone?
Central Station
135 E. 11th Place: Designed for the Illinois Central Railroad by Bradford L. Gilbert, Central Station opened in 1893 to replace the prior Central Depot and accommodate tourism for that year’s World’s Columbian Exposition. Initially a “through station” for the IC’s locals heading north to the terminus at Randolph and Lake streets, Central served as the designated terminal and offices for the railroad’s premiere trains and headquarters. The New York Central’s Big Four Route also became a long-standing tenant while railroads such as the Chesapeake & Ohio (1925-33) and Soo Line (1963-65) had short-term stints at the station. The beginning of Amtrak led to a snowball effect in Central Station’s demise. The remaining passenger trains there relocated to Union Station in March 1972, the offices were vacated in May 1974, and the building was demolished shortly afterward.
Dearborn Station
Polk and Dearborn streets: The Romanesque Revival-style terminal was designed by Cyrus L. W. Eidlitz, and built in 1885 by the Chicago & Western Indiana for both itself and other railroads which had trackage rights. By the 1950s, the plethora of railroads using Dearborn Station ranged from the famous to the infamous (much like its travelers): Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Chicago & Eastern Illinois; Chicago & Western Indiana, whose offices were also located; Erie; Grand Trunk Western; Monon; and Wabash. Despite ultimately losing passenger services in the 1970s, followed by the train shed being demolished and the tracks torn up, the headhouse continues to stand tall as both a national historic landmark and multi-use venue for offices and commercial business.
Grand Central Station
Harrison and S. Wells streets: “The one that got away.” Grand Central Station was built in 1890 for the Wisconsin Central Railroad, yet it was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad that became the most prominent resident, beginning in the early 20th Century. WC successor Soo Line remained during the postwar, in addition to the Chesapeake & Ohio and subsidiary Pere Marquette railways, along with the Chicago Great Western. While considered the quietest terminal in town, Grand Central was celebrated as the finest with its Romanesque style at the hands of local architect Solon S. Beman. That is why its demolition, following the end of passenger service in 1969, was considered a great loss to many in the city from both a railroading and architectural standpoint.
LaSalle Street Station
LaSalle and Van Buren streets: Since its official opening for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in 1866, LaSalle Street Station has seen significant changes. The headhouse has been through multiple demolitions and reconstructions: Notably the early 1900s and 1980s. The nameworthy railroads of New York Central, Rock Island and Nickel Plate Road also came and eventually went, taking with them intercity passenger service in the wake of Amtrak’s genesis. What remains at today’s LaSalle Street Station is the allure of nonstop commuter rail as Metra’s Rock Island District connects to the suburbs of Joliet, Ill.
North Western Station
Canal and Madison streets: North Western Station was mostly home to a single railroad throughout its history since completion in 1911: The Chicago & North Western Railway. The postwar scene out of the terminal would consist of the railroad’s famous 400 intercity fleet, the partnered Overland Route streamliners (until 1955), and the rush-hour commuter runs. Even the B&O and C&O made a stint there between 1969-1971 after vacating Grand Central Station. Even after the C&NW abandoned passenger service, North Western Station continues to serve as the terminus for Metra’s Union Pacific lines — though now as the Ogilvie Transportation Center with the original headhouse demolished in 1984 for a glass-covered office building.
Union Station
Canal & Adams streets: Saving the best for last as we’re talking about an iconic station that can rival the best since its construction in 1925. By the postwar, Union Station was home to two “back-to-back” concourses with four railroads. The north concourse was solely occupied by the Milwaukee Road, while the south concourse was shared between the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, and Pennsylvania railroads. These fallen flags are long gone, yet Union Station remains as Chicago’s only intercity passenger station in service today. Hosting all of Amtrak’s Midwest regionals and long-distance trains, it remains the last of Chicago’s intercity passenger terminals. Add in some of Metra’s busiest commuter lines and it’s one of the busiest stations in the United States.
Watch previously unreleased 8mm color film from Ingles on Trains.com Video.
