Chicago Area Shortline Railroads

Hawthorn Junction

Hawthorn Junction, located near Cicero Ave. (South) and 31st St. at the Western edge of Chicago. Currently, two railroads meet here: Canadian National Illinois Central and Belt Railway of Chicago.

Historical

Chicago Madison & Northern
CNIC (ex-IC, ex-CC&P, ex-IC, ex-ICG, ex-CM&N
The East-West line was built by the Chicago Madison & Northern (CM&N), which was owned by the Illinois Central (IC). After the merger with the Gulf Mobile and Ohio (GM&O), the railroad was called the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG). During the 1980's, the line was split off to become the Chicago Central & Pacific (CC&P), and the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) went back to the Illinois Central (IC) name. The Illinois Central reacquired the Chicago Central & Pacific. Then the Canadian National (CN) acquired the Illinois Central(IC). The railroad is called the Canadian National Illinois Central (CNIC).

Belt Railway of Chicago
The North-South line on the right was built by the Chicago & Western Indiana (C&WI). The line was operated by the Belt division of the Chicago & Western Indiana (C&WI). In 1912, the line was leased to the newly formed Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC). The Belt Railway of Chicago purchased the line in 1952 and currently operateds the line.

Manufacturers Junction
The line on the left was built by the Western Electic to serve their factory. The railroad currently operated by Omnitrax

Chicago & Illinois Western
CNIC (ex-IC, ex-ICG ex-C&WI)
The North-South line on the left was built as the Chicago & Illinois Western (C&IW). The Illinois Central gained control and operated the Chicago & Illlinois Western as a independent railroad. In the 1970's, the Chicago & Illinois Western was absorbed by the Illinois Central (IC).

Below is a clickable aerial photo of Hawthron Junction. Just put the cursor on the railroad tracks or double-click on the railroad tracks.

PHOTOS

Additional Resources

updated 5/25/2022