Momence, IL: Pence (MJ) Tower: UP/C&EI vs. NS/NYC+Aban/Milw

(Satellite)
NorthAmericanInterlockings:     1986    1991 interior
(Update: pp. 64-67 of Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad In Color by Edward M. DeRouin called this the M.G. Tower. Then it explained that the tower was renamed Pence prior to 1974.)

Mark Hinsdale posted
"Pence" Tower (C&EI-NYC), Momence IL 3-73
Mark Bilecki Sr. I was there 1 time, but the tower was closed already, the old Milwaukee Joliet line came through there also, they used trackage rights on Conrail to Delmar jct a few miles east of there

It looks like a remnant of the Milw/Chicago, Milwaukee & Gary (CM&G) is now what is called a transloading facility, which used to be called team tracks.

Brian Knight posted
A U.P. coal train changing crews behind the soon to be demolished MJ tower at Momence Illinois early 1997.

Michael Schwiebert shared
Wonder when the last time this was done?
Larry Amaloo: UP and NS still do crew changes there on that connection.
Michael Schwiebert: Larry Amaloo Thanks! I didn’t realize the power plant at Wheatfield got coal from the south any more.
Larry Amaloo: Michael Schwiebert It won't be for much longer, that power plant is slated to shut down in time.

The CM&G joined the NYC's Kankakee Belt just before crossing in the C&EI and then ran north of the NYC to Delmar Junction.

1939 Aerial Photo form ILHAP

Two of 16 photos posted by Eric Berg.
Richard Schroeder to all, most of the photos, especially the ones noted as Bob McQuowen, are from the C&EI HS Archives and furnished to allow the citizens of the Momence area see their railroad history.

Larry Candilas commented on a post

a
C&EI Momence "MG" tower looking north in 1935.

b
SB C&EI #61 picking up the coach track at Momence (ca. 1960, C&EI #1201, Bob McQuown

Stan Sienicki posted
Momence, IL. Sept. 1987 C&EI(UP)-NYC(CR) Interlocking tower.

John Eagan posted
L&N bay window caboose 6180 clatters across the Conrail track at Pence Tower in Momence, IL on 4-28-1984. Behind me the CM&G would have connected to the NYC to cross the C&EI, and then branch off to the right to go north and west. Photo by John Eagan (1)
Phil Boldman I hi railed across this diamond on the n y c side hundreds of times.

Mark Hinsdale posted

"Three Eye"

The Kankakee Belt Line was a short cut for trains to reach several western connections without entering the Chicago Terminal District. Originally built as the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroad (II&I or "3-I"), the route headed southwest from South Bend IN and traced a near half arc west and north, intersecting with most roads exiting Chicago toward the south and west. Vanderbilt's New York Central gained control of the II&I at the turn of the twentieth century, and, although trimmed back on both of its ends over the decades, successors Penn Central, Conrail and Norfolk Southern continue to utilize it for selected trains between Elkhart and the BNSF "Transcon" connection at Streator IL. One of those daily westbound manifest trains during the Penn Central era is shown here, taken from Pence Tower, in Momence IL, which guarded the crossing of the Kankakee Belt, a Milwaukee Road branch, and the joint Missouri Pacific-Louisville & Nashville route that was formerly the Chicago & Eastern Illinois main line. The train has a healthy cut of new automobiles on the head end, which will undoubtedly benefit from avoiding the always pesky rock throwers in greater Chicagoland. This train will turn onto the Santa Fe at Streator and make for Kansas City. March, 1973 photo by Mark Hinsdale

Wayne Hudak I do believe there is at least one daily Elkhart-Streator BNSF connection. I see one on the CSX Porter Branch daily (ex Michigan Central). My guess is it catches the connection of the old "Egyptian" line at Hammond and heads south to the former II&I at Schnieder IN then heads west. Could that be?

Eric Berg posted
An eastbound Milwaukee Road train comes off the CM&G and briefly onto the NYC at Pence tower at the crossing of the C&EI in 1964 with Milw #639 and a train from the arsenal near Manhattan. Robert McQuown photo.

Robert Jordan posted
May 1968 PC(NYC)Eastbound at Pence Tower(MJ), crossing C & EI. Momence, Il. Kankakee Belt, Terry Norton Photo.
Charles Heraver: Interesting train order board.
Robert Jordan: Charles Heraver Train Order Rule 221(C) I am told.
Dennis DeBruler: I've seen several action shots of train orders being manually hooped up, but this is the first one I've seen that shows an Iron Man in action. Of course, the lower hoop is for the conductor.

There were three towers in town:

The town also had 3 interlocking towers that all were on the C&EI...."MG" tower (called Pence since 1978) was built in 1893 and was located at the crossing of the C&EI / NYC-CM&G and lasted until 1999. MG 34 lever frame. "MJ" tower (initially called "River Jct. and later named "Momence Jct., or MJ) was built in 1891 and was located just south of the river bridges at the location where the CA&S and the C&EI connected. MJ had a 40 lever frame. Finally, "MS" tower was installed at Momence Yard in 1906 and was located at the current location of the new CPI 051 - Momence just south of town. MS had a 20 lever frame. [Eric Berg posting]

More photos are in Eric Bergs posting.

Eric Berg posted another set of photos.