The roller coaster on the right is in the adjacent White City Amusement Part at 63rd and South Park. Although the postcard is dated 1908, there is no evidence of any overhead wire operation as would be expected between 19, making a conclusive date unclear. Lower 63rd Yard, Interurban Freight Service AddedĪn early postcard view of the Lower 63rd Yard, looking north with the elevated 61st Yard in the background. (presumably in anticipation of the beginning of crosstown Part of the South Side elevated used overhead wire.) The companyĮngineers designed a unique bow trolley for roof the cars that wasĪlways in the upright position, which was fitted onto all South SideĬars in 1893, as well as Northwestern 1-59 series motors circa 1912 Stranded on dead sections of the third rail at switches. Lead (ladder) tracks because of fears that trains could become The crew terminal and trainroom was also located on the track-level second floor of the facility.Įlectrification, the yard began to use low-slung trolley wire on the (track-level) contained offices, a three-track repair shop, and aįour-track paint shop. Shops, a storeroom, and an employee area. The first floor housed the carpentry and tin Shops were at the north end of the yard, fronting 61st Street, with aĬonnection to the northbound platform of the 61st Was the construction of a shop building in the 61st Street Yard. Sprague's experimental multiple unit control (the first majorĪpplication of the technology). Locomotives and covert the line not only to electric traction but to In 1897, the South Side Elevated began work to retire their steam The new yards have twelve tracks, giving us ample facilities for switching without delay and also for heating the cars." 1 Ever since we commenced operations we have been handicapped by being compelled to do all our business on two tracks. McBlair, chief of the SSRT traffic department, said, "With this new yard to do our switching in the road will give the public much better service. The South Side Rapid Transit Company began occupation of the yard on January 22, 1893, concurrent with the control of the railroad being officially turned over from the Rapid Transit and Bridge Construction Company, the contractor who built the line, to the "L" company, and the first train was dispatched from the yard to Congress Street at 12:01am, January 23. Steam locomotives augmented the 39th Street shop. House in the southwest corner of the yard for the servicing of the The elevated coach yardĬovered a two block region from 61st to 63rd, and included a large engine (Photo by John Smatlak)Īs part of the South Side's extension to Jackson Park, a full yardįacility was built where the line turned east over 63rd Street from The Chicago Junction Railroad at this location as well.Ī view of the 61st Street Shop from the corner of 61st and Calumet, looking southwest in December 2002. Locomotives were serviced at a small facility built south of Original Congress-to-39th line had no yard or maintenance shop idleĬars were stored on the main line south of the last open station Serious deficiency: where to store cars and make repairs. The South Side Rapid Transit began operations in 1892, they had a For a larger view, click here.Įstablished: 1893 (61st Yard) 1905 (63rd Yard)Ħ3rd Non-revenue Shop: 69,184 square feet (planned) The yard tracks in the north half of the yard have various pieces of work equipment stored on them, and the 61st Shops building is visible in the background. The elevated yard at 61st Street is seen looking north on September 18, 2009. Chicago ''L''.org: Yards & Shops - Upper 61st/Lower 63rd Yard
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