The Railroads of Will County
Interurban Railroads
By 1880, the concept of rural electric railroads connecting cities and towns had emerged across the United States. Electric railroads were not built for pioneer immigration purposes as the original steam railroads were, but to serve densely populated districts where a demand existed for additional transportation facilities. Known as interurban lines, these railroads often used private rights-of-way, but more frequently were placed along exiting highways. Although two recessions eventually halted their development, dozens of interurban lines were built throughout the Midwest.
Most lines ran from ten to forty miles, providing more frequent service than competing steam railroads, although at lower overall speed. Most used 600-volt direct current electricity from overhead wires. Interurban cars were constructed of wood, but later cars were constructed of steel. Interurban line construction ran as much as $10,000 per mile to construct, and most companies used a single track as traffic rarely required double track. Relatively sharp curves and various municipal limitations usually restricted interurban freight operations, making passenger earnings essential.
By as early as the 1920s and going into the early 1930s, increasing development of paved roads and the use of the automobile, political apathy toward the traction companies, and a rapidly declining physical plant all combined to push almost all of the interurbans out of business. A few hung on after the end of the "Interurban Era" either because of their utility as commuter carriers, or they had enough freight traffic to survive without passengers.
All of the interurbans that traversed Will County were abandoned and very few clues to their existence remain today.
Most lines ran from ten to forty miles, providing more frequent service than competing steam railroads, although at lower overall speed. Most used 600-volt direct current electricity from overhead wires. Interurban cars were constructed of wood, but later cars were constructed of steel. Interurban line construction ran as much as $10,000 per mile to construct, and most companies used a single track as traffic rarely required double track. Relatively sharp curves and various municipal limitations usually restricted interurban freight operations, making passenger earnings essential.
By as early as the 1920s and going into the early 1930s, increasing development of paved roads and the use of the automobile, political apathy toward the traction companies, and a rapidly declining physical plant all combined to push almost all of the interurbans out of business. A few hung on after the end of the "Interurban Era" either because of their utility as commuter carriers, or they had enough freight traffic to survive without passengers.
All of the interurbans that traversed Will County were abandoned and very few clues to their existence remain today.
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Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway
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Chicago and Southern Traction Co./ Chicago and Interurban Traction Co.
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View of downtown Harvey, IL in April 1923 at the intersection of 154th St and Park Ave. with the Illinois Central and its Harvey station to the left and to the right, a southbound Chicago & Interurban Traction car.
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Chicago, Ottawa & Peoria/ Illinois Traction System - Illinois Valley Division/ Chicago & Illinois Valley Railway
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Joliet, Plainfield & Aurora Railway/ Aurora, Plainfield & Joliet Railway
Joliet & Southern Traction Co./ Joliet & Eastern Traction Co.
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