This was Chicago's first railroad. Previously, 4 tracks existed though Oak Park and River Forest, reduced to 3 in 1961 where the CTA Lake Street elevated line was relocated to the south side of the right of way.
CLICK FOR RAILFAN TIPS AND PHOTOS
Radio Frequency - 160.890 (AAR Channel 52)
Direction is westward from Chicago to Elburn
0.0 CHICAGO
0.2 Lake Street (tower)
0.4 Clinton Street
0.5 Northwest Jct.
0.8 Halsted
2.6 Western Avenue (tower/Metra crossing)
3.0 California Ave. Coach Yard
3.6 KEDZIE (junction-UP/west end coach yard)
4.5 Harding Avenue (junction-UP)
4.8 Keeler
8.5 OAK PARK
9.7 RIVER FOREST
10.0 Vale
10.5 MAYWOOD
11.3 MELROSE PARK
11.8 25th Avenue (east end Proviso Yard)
12.1 Provo Jct.(junction-IHB)
12.7 BELLWOOD
14.2 Wolf Road
14.3 BERKELEY
14.8 Park (west end Proviso Yard)
15.7 ELMHURST
17.8 VILLA PARK
19.2 Grace
19.9 LOMBARD
22.4 GLEN ELLYN
23.8 COLLEGE AVENUE
24.1 University
25.0 WHEATON
27.5 WINFIELD
29.5 Turner
29.7 WEST CHICAGO
30.3 Washington St. (tower/CN crossing)
32.1 Kress
35.5 GENEVA
38.2 Peck
40.8 LA FOX
42.6 East Elburn Yard
43.4 West Elburn Yard
44.0 ELBURN
Tracks numbered north to south.
4 tracks from Clinton Street to Kedzie, signaled for single direction operation. South pair of tracks for normal main line trains, and north pair of tracks for movements to and from California Avenue coach yard. Left hand operation is used.
5 tracks from Kedzie to Harding Avenue, CTC in use for 3 main tracks to south.
2 or 3 tracks from Harding Avenue to Elburn, CTC in use.
CTC is controlled by dispatcher in Omaha.
(Click for diagram of Chicago Terminal*.)
(*The former Chicago & North Western terminal at 500 W. Madison St. has been known by many different names through its history. Including "North Western Station", "Madison Street Station", "Chicago Passenger Station", "Metra Passenger Terminal", and currently "Ogilvie Transportation Center". This lack of a consistent name has resulted in many confused passengers over the years.)