This line was built considerably later than the original Illinois Central Line, which extended straight north from Cairo at the southern tip of the state, through the middle of the state to Freeport. With a "branch" diverging north of Centralia, proceeding northeast to Chicago. This line connected Chicago with the original line at Freeport, which proceeded west to Dubuque. Amtrak trains operate between 21st Street and South Wye Jct., connecting with the CN Chicago Subdivision main line south. Between 1974 and 1981, Amtrak operated the Black Hawk over this route as far west as Dubuque, no passenger service has operated over this route since then. Although proposals exist to restore passenger service in the future.
Radio Frequency - 160.920 (AAR Channel 54) (Chicago-Belt Crossing)
Dispatcher - 161.190 (AAR Channel 72) (Chicago-Belt Crossing)
Radio Frequency - 160.755 (AAR Channel 43) (Belt Crossing-Broadview)
2.1 16th Street (crossing-remote-Metra dispatcher)
2.7 21st Street (crossing-Amtrak/remote-Amtrak Train Director)
2.9 Cermak (junction-Amtrak)
4.4 Bridgeport (junction-CN Joliet Subdivision)
5.6 Ash Street (crossing-CSX/remote-dispatcher-Homewood)
8.0 Crawford Yard
8.3 Belt Crossing (remote-BRC dispatcher)
8.9 Hawthorne
11.1 Berwyn
14.7 Broadview
2 tracks, CTC in use. Signaled for normal right hand operation between Hawthorne and Riverside.
East of Belt Crossing - CN Dispatcher Desk #1 located in Homewood.
West of Belt Crossing - CN Dispatcher Desk #7 located in Homewood.