Chicago Ridge, IL: Metra/Wabash Depots

New: (Satellite)

Old: (Satellite)

William Johnson posted
Looking for all the world like a long distance passenger train, this is really the "Orland Park Cannonball."  It's May 1, 1979 and the outbound commuter train is just departing the station at Chicago Ridge, IL on the former Wabash tracks.  GP40 1372 was not equipped with passenger equipment, so the N&W converted old baggage cars to handle train lighting and heat.  This service would take a major step into the modern passenger train era within a couple of months, as METRA would take over the service with F40PHs and bi-level commuter coaches.  I imagine that the passengers would be pleasantly pleased with the new cars, but the Cannonball lost its charm and its connection to the past.
Richard Fiedler shared

I wonder what the old depot (left background) is now used for. The next time I go to Indiana, I need to get off I-294 at US-20 and check out the old depot. I'm glad they built the new depot to complement the old one. 

Street View, Jul 2024