Friday, July 27, 2018

Detroit, MI: Hudson Motors and Continental Motors Plant

(Satellite, it is now a parking lot for the Chrysler Plant)

Detroit Terminal served this area. The tracks are now Conrail Shared Assets.

Paddi Beach posted
Great ariel shot of Hudson Motors, check out the rails going right into the plant.
Craig Brenton Pretty sure it was closed down in 1954. Shortly after Hudson and Nash merged together and became AMC.Jeff Branch Continental Motors was right next door to Hudson. The location of the main Hudson plant is currently a parking lot for Chrysler JNAP.Craig Brenton Continentals smokestack and part of the building are still standing today.Dennis DeBruler Craig Brentonhttps://www.google.com/.../@42.3717374,-82.../data=!3m1!1e3
Peter DudleyPeter and 1 other manage the membership, moderators, settings, and posts for Detroit - Area Railroad History. Craig Brenton: That's the Continental Motors power plant.


Paddi Beach Place was sure impressive, this photo sure got lots of comments. Hudson Motor did real well during WW2. Earlier they sold as many as 375,000 cars a year. These old plants with rails going right through them are great.Jeff Branch The Ford plant in Avon Lake, OH still has NS (former NKP) service inside the plant. (At least, when I was there last.) It's interesting to watch.Craig Brenton I think FCA Warren Stamping still has service in the plant.Steve Hoshel Probably not an aerial photograph. Many companies had artists draw exaggerated aerial views to make the plants look far more impressive than they actually were.

Blomington, IL: Big Four/Peoria & Eastern Freight House

(3D Satellite) It still has the two-story office and the one-story freight handling part including several of the big freight doors.
Mike Sypult posted
As a teenager, I managed to shoot this building in Bloomington during a family visit in 1978.
Ned Carlson shared
Big Four ghost sign in Bloomington, IL next to Main St bridge. Building is still there albeit repainted and missing the stairway to the bridge.
Mike Cavitt commented on Ned's posting
There taking out the remaining P&E tracks from se Bloomington on east this summer. As far as I know NS is retaining ownership of the right of way, but its gonna be a bike trail and their running fiber optics along it. This line is about 1000ft from my house.
It amazes me where the Street View driver sometimes goes. I'm glad at least some of the drivers appreciate the old buildings. I included the crane to note that AMPCO-BLM is maintaining the building. The Constitution Trail that is a little bit to the north was the P&E RoW. The tracks that still exist next to the Trail is NS/NKP/LEW.
Street View
1940 Aerial Photo from ILHAP with Main Street running down the center

Thursday, July 26, 2018

South Milwaukee, WI: Caterpillar/Bucyrus Plant

(3D Satellite)

(Update: South Milwaukee now has a Bucyrus Museum.)

emke.uwm.edu

Bucyrus was founded in Bucyrus, OH; but it started operations here in April 1893. Of all the locations Bucyrus had, including Marion, OH because of a 1997 acquisition, this location is the only one that is still operational. "Bucyrus machines earned a solid reputation through their work on major projects across the United States and worldwide. These included the California gold fields, the enlargement of the New York State Barge Canal in 1902-1912, and the Panama Canal, to which 77 steam shovels were supplied between 1904 and 1908." [emke.uwm.edu

(Update: The components for the world's largest dragline, Big Muskie, were made in this plant.)

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) has had different names, but it is the organization that dug the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from 1893-1899 that reversed the flow of the Chicago River. Many of the CS&SC contractors used smaller models of the steam shovels that were used in the Panama Canal.
MWRD Photo
MWRD Photo
Note the front of the steam locomotive in the lower-left corner that would push the hopper cars out of the channel and up on top of the spoils pile being built along the canal.

I could not find decent photographs of Cat's current shovel products. It looks like they still build models that use cables instead of hydraulics. Normally, manufactures have pages providing a photo and specifications for each of their products.

Cat Global Mining
Mining Solutions

South Milwaukee Industrial Museum posted three photos with the comment:
April marks the 130th anniversary for the move of The Bucyrus Company operations from Bucyrus, Ohio to South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Operations began with about 50 workers employed here. The transition from Ohio wasn’t completed until August. Machinery and inventory were loaded onto trains, brought to Wisconsin, and set up as the new modern factory took shape.
The new plant was hailed as one of the most modern in its day. It was an all-electric facility, no steam driven shafts which was unusual for the times. The firm of Whitney and Starrett of Chicago designed the facility that was constructed starting in Spring of 1892.
See more of the Ohio plant and the early days in South Milwaukee at the Bucyrus Museum located in the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI. We’re open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am-3pm.
1, cropped
[Note the transfer table on the Monroe Ave end of the erecting shop.]



2

3

They expands south across Monroe Avenue as well as to the north.
3D Satellite

South Milwaukee Industrial Museum posted four images about the B-E 1450-W commenorating 1450 members.



Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Fort Wayne, IN: Dana/Salisbury Axle Works

(3D Satellite)

Most of the big companies that I remember in Fort Wayne during my childhood such as GE, International Harvester, and Zollner Pistons are now gone. But it appears that Dana still exists.

Don Brown posted
Salisbury Axle Works 1930 - 1945
Royce White Now Dana.
Clarence Spicer invented the universal joint in 1904. This allowed car manufactures to replace the chain drive with a driveshaft. Spicer was an inventor, not a businessman. Attorney Charles Dana buys controlling interest in 1914 and becomes president and treasurer in 1916. [Dana]

C.W. Salisbury patented an automobile wheel and started a company in 1901. [LandRover]

Dana grew Spicer in 1919 by buying frame, transmission, and axle manufacturers. Salsbury Axle later becomes the Spicer Axle Division of Dana. [Dana]

Salsbury was moved to Toledo in 1929 to be closer to the center of the automotive industry. Their axles were used in many automotive vehicles including the Jeep. "The Jeep proved so popular that in 1945 Salisbury had to build a new plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana." [LandRover] So Don's comment about the dates seems to be wrong.


Saturday, July 14, 2018

Chicago, IL: ?/875 N. Michigan/John Hancock and Palmolive/Playboy/Palmolive Buildings

3D Satellite, 75+ photos
The John Hancock Building was officially renamed 875 N. Michigan Building because John Hancock left many years ago and they want to sell the naming rights. Sterling Bay just bought the office and parking portions of the skyscraper for $300m. They are still shopping the naming rights. [curbed]

The 1,128-foot building is now Chicago's fourth tallest and the eight tallest in US. The first three flours must be retail and lobby because floors 4-12 are the garage and floors 13-41 is about 908,000 sq. ft. of office space. The remaining floors of the 100 story building are condos except for a restaurant, observatories and broadcast equipment in the very highest floors. (From 95 on up from what I can gather.) The antennas increase the height to 1500'.
 [Tribune, Widipedia]

The observatory has already been renamed 360 Chicago.

I remember reading soon after it was opened that the residents on the upper floors complained about noticing the building moving during high winds. Some had noticed ripples and/or sloshing in the water in their toilet bowl! A recording of the sound on a windy day sounds like a rocking chair with about a 3-4 second period. "There was a show on tv about living in Chicago's John Hancock Building, some years back. The people they interviewed about the swaying said that while they never actually felt it, it was a little disheartining to sit on the couch and watch the pictures on the wall swing back and forth." [city-data, virangos] Architects have since learned how to design in dampening equipment such as pendulums that span multiple stories at the top. Since the above linked sound recording was made in 2015, it sounds like the residents of this building still need "sea legs."
SkyScraperCenter, this page also has several photos
Ken Damrau posted
Robert Micknius It started construction in 1965 and opened in 1969.
Howard Scott Wallin When my boss moved in, I set up the hi-fi. I found that it wouldn't function as long they were broadcasting. Which meant no music until after 2. So much for that.

Beer drinking, bicycle riding, Chicago photography club posted
John Hancock Center under construction — c. 1968-69
Source: Suntimes

John Frazier posted
Patrick Haavig: It sank a bunch during construction. Serious measures needed to keep it going.
John Frazier: Patrick Haavig caissons not deep enough ?
Patrick Haavig: John Frazier geotechnical inconsistencies.
sandy soils!
onstruction of the tower was interrupted in 1967 due to a flaw in an innovative engineering method used to pour concrete in stages, that was discovered when the building was 20 stories high. The engineers were getting the same soil settlements for the 20 stories that had been built as what they had expected for the entire 99 stories. This forced the owner to stop development until the engineering problem could be resolved.
 
Michelle Burton posted
Greg Nessinger: Decades after Hancock was built, they had to retro fit it for additional supports. An architect found if the wind came from a certain direction, the building can buckle. So they added additional support inside.
Chris Bland: Greg Nessinger. I think I read that the cross structures were built in as a primary support and found later that they offered no support. At that time it was just supported by its own weight. I never really fact checked this.

Growing up in Chicago posted
1968 - The John Hancock "topping ceremony".
Paul Jevert shared

Tim-Michele Spencer commented on Michelle's post
Great old throwback of the John Hancock under construction.
From the Chicago 360
📸 Megan Green

3D Satellite
I see there is still a PLAYBOY sign on the former Palmolive Building just to the right of the Hancock in the above photo.
In 2001, it was converted to condos and the name was changed back to the Palmolive Building.
beacon named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh was added to the building in 1930. It rotated a full 360 degrees and was intended to help guide airplanes safely to Midway Airport.[7] The beacon beamed for several decades, and ceased operation in 1981 following complaints from residents of nearby buildings.[7] During the Palmolive Building's conversion to condominiums in the late 2000s, the beacon was modified to rotate back and forth, always pointing at the lake, so as to avoid shining light into other buildings. Subsequently, the historic beacon resumed operation. 
[Wikipedia]

Steve Zalusky posted
The Schenectady Gazette on June 20,1929 printed this article on the aerial beacon above the Palmolive building.

Gene Schuldt posted
Wes Wetherell: The Palmolive Building… My dad’s office in the mid 40’s though the mid 60’s (33rd floor and more). “Warren Wetherell and Associates.” On a clear night, the rotating beacon would light up our living room on Rt 53 in Glen Ellyn! Dad took pictures from the Beacon (and he talked Mom into going up there with him!)
[The Water Tower is in the left foreground  and the first pumping station is in the right foreground.]

Zachary Taylor Davis - Chicago Architect posted
“Tower Town” c. 1950. Shaw, Metz & Dolio’s new building for Bonwit Teller (I. Magnin in 1971) can be seen in the background with its original windows.
[Looking north with the ?/Playboy/Palmolive Building in the background.]
Pat McCarthy posted
Found this while going thru old photos...took it fro the Hancock Bldg in 1970’s
Gary Enochs There was a rotating beacon on the Playboy building. When the John Hancock building was built they had to put a shield on the beacon so the light wouldn’t shine in the windows I’d the Hancock building.
Pat McCarthy Formerly the Palmolive Building with the “Lindbergh Beacon” on top.
William Gates I remember when the Prudential building was the tallest.
Jonathan Billig The beacon is still there, but it doesn't rotate. It just shines out onto the lake.
Jennifer Scott-Wallace Jonathan Billig it still does rotate but it’s certain times that it does turn just seen it myself like last year so I looked it up

Photo via Airscapes

Paul Jevert shared
Holiday lighting at the Palmolive Building. December 22, 1950. Photograph by Hedrich-Blessing.

Michael Brandt posted
Laying the foundation for the John Hancock Building in 1965.
David Brown: I remember it as it was going to be the tallest building in Chicago so even the foundation was in the news back then.



Tuesday, July 10, 2018

West Chicago, IL: CB&Q Depot

(Satellite)

See also 2015.

West Chicago used to be called Turner Junction. It is where the Aurora Branch, the first segment of the CB&Q, joined the C&NW to access to Chicago.
 
Andy Zukowski posted
Aurora Branch Railroad Depot, Turner Junction, West Chicago. 1955
Joel Kirchner: For those that might not know, this station still exists and was moved twice. It was originally located between the CNW and CBQ tracks at Wood St. It was then moved to a park on Main St. near Wilson St. It was relocated once again to make way for city offices. It now resides between parking lots off Tuner Ct. behind the West Chicago library.
 
Street View, Nov 2018
 
Andy Zukowski posted
Abandoned Train Depot Turner Junction in West Chicago Illinois taken in the early 1970s.

Mark Llanuza posted
Its the year 1976 I'm in west Chicago IL on the CB&Q [BN] on the oldest sections of the railroad in Illinois the line Aurora to West Chicago .The crews have dropped there caboose off next to the CB&Q station while they pick up cars on the CNW interchange track .when the BN merger with the Santa Fe and the U.P and the CNW merger went through in 1995 the interchange with railroads stopped and by 1997 the rails were removed .The train station dating back to the late 1800's was saved and is a museum today in West Chicago IL .I went back yesterday 2018 and lined everything back up again where i photographed it back in 1976 forty two years ago.They have made a few changes like adding a sidewalk and fixed the street .The CNW to the far left side is still there today.
Brandon McShane This was a favored route for high and wide shipments, back when the railroads were required by law to connect with each other.

Satellite plus Paint
Street View
Update: another part of the route that was abandoned. Mark mentions that the track was removed in 1997.
Mark Llanuza posted
Its the year 1989 southbound Burlington Northern fright train leaving West Chicago IL on the BN's Aurora to West Chicago branch line .One of the oldest lines in Illinois .He has just crossed the EJ&E and heading back to Aurora after more switching at General Mills plant .The signal next to the to the train is for the EJ&E Jct behind the frt .I went back today 2018 to line everything back up again .the house on the left and the line poles are still there but the track was all removed by 1997.
Dennis DeBruler street view: https://www.google.com/.../data=!3m6!1e1!3m4...
Dennis DeBruler satellite: https://www.google.com/.../@41.8816389,-88.../data=!3m1!1e3


Jack Steen commented on a post
CB&Q West Chicago - November 1961. Rick Burn Photo...
Dave Hammer: Jack Steen so left is UP, right would be BNSF, and behind possibly the J?
Christopher Pitzen: Dave Hammer correct
[The connection with the UP/C&NW was pulled in 1996.]
Harold J. Krewer: Before BNSF and UP taking over C&NW, this was the official interchange point between the two roads as it avoided intermediate switch charges.
Once both roads were merged into larger systems, all interchange was moved to be handled via the BRC. The connection came out as it involved a diamond over the EJ&E and was part of JB interlocking.
Edward Moran: Back in appx 1990, we stored our containers at Global 2. We had to move 20 cntrs to Butte, MT. I told our rail routing guys we could route them CNW / West Chicago/ BN. They looked at me with a puzzled look and probably said to themselves “Damn foamer.” Sure enough, that is how we routed them.


Fort Wayne, IN: Old Gas House (Gasometer)

(3D Satellite)

I thought I already wrote a posting on the old gas house. But I can't find it, and I want to save this photo. So I write this posting.
Yelp from Posting
The gasometer was evidently around the north side of the current parking lot in the "point" between the river and road. The building in the right background is what exists today. You can see the little "box" on top of the roof in both the photo and a 3D satellite image.

Tommy Lee Fitzwater posted
Year?
Ft. Wayne Gas Plant
This was the North end of a pipeline whose South end was in Montpelier, Blackford County, where the Fort Wayne Natural Gas Co. had 100 gas wells. But by 1905, pressure in the field had diminished to the point that the field ceased to operate.
The Company got the contract to supply the city and lay mains in 1889. Gas had been discovered in Indiana in 1885 at Eaton, in Northern Delaware County. An historical marker stands at that site.
This is likely the second set of buildings on this site, whose original construction was an acetylene plant built in the 1850's by Alfred Hattersley.

Tommy Lee Fitzwater posted two photos with the comment:
The manufactured gas plant, or MGP, operated from 1851 until 1948, producing “town gas” by heating coal, coke, and/or oil in a closed vessel. The gas was captured and cleaned of impurities before being stored in large round structures known as gas holders. Town gas was distributed first for lighting streets, homes and businesses, and then for heating and cooking.
1

2

Tommy Lee Fitzwater posted
Tommy Lee Fitzwater posted












Altoona, PA: 1944 NS/Pennsy Middle Grade (MG) Tower near Horseshoe Curve

(Satellite, Bing's image was worse)

I was shocked when I saw the date of 2018. NS is cutting it rather close for the Dec 31, 2018 deadline of having PTC installed. The comments did indicate that the new signalling equipment was nearby to be installed.
Jack Stoner posted
WWII era MG tower is nestled against the mountainside as the morning silence is disrupted by a heavy NS Intermodal in extreme dynamic grinding down #1 at MP243.5 Pittsburgh Line. Number 2 track is governed under Rule 261 and it is apparent the Dispatcher has aligned a route for another eastbound to be by shortly on 2 track shortly - a busy mountain railroad. May 7, 2018
Craig Stepler Wow, May! Look how bare the trees are. Late spring!

William Addeo posted
Heading West by MG tower on SD40-2 6394 built for Conrail in 1977(Same year as me). But the truth is it's shortly after the takeover and now the number is 3349. At least it's still Conrail Blue. On an empty Strawberry Ridge hopper shuttle. No helpers. Two other 40-2. One blue, one black. Just west of the Horse Shoe Curve on the amazing mountain railroad that John Edgar Thomson and the Pennsylvania Railroad built.
Christopher Shannon: Bring back the 4th track!
 
Worldwide Railfan Productions posted
Norfolk Southern 11V passes MG Tower
A Norfolk Southern manifest train passes the dilapidated MG tower west of Altoona, PA. MG tower was built in 1944 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to control the movement of trains on the East Slope of the Allegheny Mountains.
 Location: Altoona, PA
 By: Brandon Fiume 
 Taken on: February 24, 2024
Brian Rizzo: That building USED to be in good condition until PSR came and they removed the roofs so they didn’t have to pay taxes.
Bob Krug: MG for "Mid-Grade"; i.e. about halfway up to Gallitzin.
Hunter Krug: Has asbestos..nobody was interested when they were taking bids to destroy it

Darren Reynolds posted five images with the comment: "PRR "MG" tower (mid grade) Pennsylvania."
1
A westbound rattles the windows of "MG" tower
September 1964
Photo By: Unknown

2
A westbound with the helpers on the rear.
Passing "MG" tower. June 1979
Photo By: Geoffrey Hubbs

3
"MG" tower was west of famous horseshoe curve..
Photo By: Eric powell

4
Eastern view at "MG" tower
Photo By: Chip Syme
ALL images from North American interlocking States A to Z and Canada

5

Michael Froio Photography posted
A clear headed write up about the impending demolition of the PRR’s MG tower on the east slope of the Allegheny range. While the sentiment is genuine for the many who call to save such a monument to the railroad, it’s completely unreasonable to think this building could be saved for so many reasons. I’ve has many great memories hiking up to MG over 25 years, especially with my Pop!
 https://www.altoonamirror.com/.../not-for-long-mg-tower.../ 

Misael Guzman posted
As snow comes to the Heartland this Easter Sunday, I thought I'd go back to an April day in '93 when rain turned to snow overnight and yielded a heavy, wet snow in central Pennsylvania. At MG, hal... 
Railroad: Conrail
Locomotive: GE C39-8 (Dash 8-39C)
Location: Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
Locomotive #: CR 6020
Train ID: Unknown
Photo Date: April 22, 1993