The West Towns collection consists of a large number of roster shots of cars in operation. Most of the prints have both the date and location; for those that don't, the location at least can often be inferred. Help with locations would be appreciated. These views are almost all of a single car, so they're sorted by car number.
The photographer is not identified on any of these prints. Some of these views appeared in the Buckley CERA book attributed to Fielding Kunecke, who was evidently a cousin of Al Simms, so they may all be by him.
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| #12 7/6/40 at 22nd & Harlem |
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| #15 |
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| #101 6/23/40 on Des Plaines |
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| #102 7/4/40 at Chicago & Elmwood |
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| #102 7/4/40 at Des Plaines & the CGW |
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| #103 6/23/40 at Des Plaines & the CA&E |
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#103 6/29/40 at Harlem & Lake
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| #103 7/6/40 Des Plaines & Madison |
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#103 6/29/40 at Harlem & Lake
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#108 7/6/40 52nd southbound
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| #124 at the Lake St. barn |
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| #128 6/23/40 at 35th & 52nd |
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| #130 6/23/40 at Des Plaines & 12th |
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#133
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| #135 7/4/40 at Madison & Soo Line |
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| #136 7/6/40 Madison & Des Plaines |
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| #136 7/4/40 Chicago & Oak Park Ave. |
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| #139 and #141 8/7/47 at Zoo |
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#140 at IHB
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| #141 at IHB |
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| #141 |
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| #141 8/17/47 |
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| #141 et al. at Western Electric, waiting for a shift change |
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| #142 changing ends |
6 comments:
I think the picture of the 140 crossing the CB&Q is actually crossing the IHB at Oak Ave. in LaGrange Park. The house in the background is 621 Beach Ave. I don't think West Towns ever crossed the Burlington.
The picture of the 141 as well is crossing the IHB in LaGrange Park.
Of course. Thanks.
The photo of "141 et al" appears to be at the north side of the Western Electric telephone factory with cars staged for a shift change. A trolley pole up, in the distance, facing the wrong direction is probably for a CSL car heading east.
Also, the wonderful color photo of line car, Ex suburban interurban, car 15 shows a lot of people in it, so I suspect this is the last run of the line, with the burning of this car just minutes or hours away. It is my understand that this event galvanized railfans that formed IERM and ERHS to not expect any preservation actions from George Kramble's CERA. Word was the group was offered the car, then when it was turned down, they torched it in front of cameras in the woods near Brookfield Zoo. (A story I heard retold by Frank Sirinek) O. Anderson
Ah, yes. I heard essentially the same story from Bob Bruneau, so it must be true. He mentioned that while the fans were still filing out the front door, employees were coming in at the rear with pails of gasoline and pouring it on the floor. If only we could turn back the clock.
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