Cary, IL: Metra/C&NW Depots

(Satellite)

This is one of those depots where the current one is better than the original one thanks to commuter traffic.

Street View, Sep 2022

I wonder how many depots this town has had. Was this the immediate predecessor?

Andy Zukowski posted
The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Cary, Illinois. 1909

Larry Candilas commented on Andy's post
MP 38.3 Harvard Sub. A few years later when CNW was experimenting with RDC cars.
[The town still had a wood grain elevator.]

Andy Zukowski posted

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Cary, Illinois. 1911

The Chicago & North Western Railway's reign as a separate entity concluded in April 1995 when it was purchased and integrated into the Union Pacific Railroad. The Union Pacific, one of the largest freight railroads in North America, has since absorbed much of the C&NW's trackage. However, the historical line through Cary has endured for well over 150 years. Today, it is known as the Union Pacific Northwest Line and continues to serve as a vital commuter link to Chicago, operated by Metra, a partner of the Union Pacific. The line also continues to serve as a freight route.

Paul Jevert shared with the comment: "CNW Cary Mainline."

Andy Zukowski posted

Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Cary, Illinois. 1914

Photo by C.R. Childs

Richard Fiedler shared

Jim Arvites posted

View of the westbound Chicago & North Western Railway passenger train "Dakota 400" passing the C&NW depot at Cary, Illinois circa early 1950's.

(Harvard Area Historical Society)]

Dennis DeBruler shared

The 1914 depot being in the same location as today's depot makes sense. Back then the Northwest Highway was skinnier so there was room for a house track. The photo is consistent with C&NW left-hand running, the business district building in the left background and this topo map. But the women looking to our left imply that the train was running right-handed that day.

1923/1938 Barrington Quad @ 62,500

But this aerial photo shows a grain elevator on the north side of the tracks and a depot-like building with a house track on the south side of the tracks. So, I'm confused.

1939 Aerial Photo from ILHAP