RAILROAD OPERATING INFORMATION/TRACK DIAGRAMS
Information from railroad employee timetables and other sources, detailing stations, crossings and junctions, mileposts, number of tracks, and signal systems.
Information on nearly all of the railroads in the five states surrounding Chicago.
Emphasizing Chicago area commuter routes.
Emphasizing present intercity passenger routes.
Emphasizing the passenger routes out of Chicago, including present and past intercity routes extending into states beyond. Also included are routes into St. Louis, east of the Mississippi River.
Included are lists of stations, crossings and junctions, mileposts, number of tracks, signal systems, and track diagrams for many signaled lines. Also included are brief histories of each line, including construction, double tracking, and installation of signal systems.
All track diagrams are as current as possible, except for the "Classic Track Diagrams", which show certain railroads as they previously existed, prior to elimination of multiple tracks, downgrading, or occasionally abandonment.
For most of these lines, historical information is included for interlocking towers. The lists of stations do not always include where abandoned railroads formerly crossed, and certain present railroads due to inconsistent employee timetable information. But the historic tower data generally provides more complete information on historic crossings.
Further explanations on the interlocking histories provided, is available through the below link. Providing more direct access to the interlocking tower histories.
Historical information on interlocking towers and interlockings, in the four states surrounding Chicago.
Operating Information Links
Known links to Web sites, where railroad track charts and old employee timetables can be downloaded, usually in PDF format.
Chicago Track Elevation
A chronological list of ordinances passed by the City of Chicago, requiring the main line railroads to elevate their trackage. Much of the trackage was elevated between the 1890's and the early 1900's, these elevation projects contributed to Chicago becoming a great railroad center.
CREATE
Official Web site for CREATE, which is an acronym for "Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program". This is a plan created by nearly all railroads and relevant government agencies in the Chicago area, consisting of numerous improvements which will reduce railroad congestion in the Chicago area.
FRA Safety Map
Impressive zoomable map, including details of road and street crossings.