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Illinois Prairie Path, Lombard, IL
This section of track along Carlton Avenue in Wheaton is one of the few remaining visible sections of Chicago Aurora & Elgin rail. Although the book "The Living Legacy of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin" does not mention this as a surviving example of the railway, the track clearly served this building.
The Aurora Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path parallels Carlton Avenue at this point and passes by this.
Mark LLanuza's great aerial photo shows this track and building's relationship to Wheaton Yards although I'm not sure if the surviving structures were ex CA&E or if they were private businesses www.flickr.com/photos/7547061@N02/8159603398
Mike Murray also has a great set of photos www.flickr.com/photos/36106399@N04/sets/72157623516390009/
Wheaton, IL, built this pavilion to host its French Market, among other municipal activities. It is right alongside the Illinois Prairie Path.
A cyclist watches the bikes while her friend buys something at the Wheaton French Market. Perhaps they rode the adjacent Illinois Prairie Path to get here.
A Union Pacific SD70M in MOW (Maintenance of Way) service leads a short train thru Wheaton. In a moment, it will pass under the former Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railway Bridge (now a bike bridge for the Illinois Prairie Path).
..Ya Get Lucky.
I was riding the Illinois Prairie Path thru Wheaton when this Union Pacific MofW train was heading westbound. A former Missouri Pacific caboose was bringing up the rear. Cabooses are still useful on transfer runs and on maintenance trains.
The former Chicago Aurora & Elgin bridge, now a bike bridge for the Prairie Path, is in the background.
A westbound Union Pacific Railroad freight train passes through Wheaton at Mile Post 25.26 of the Geneva Subdivision. The fencing in the foreground is part of the Illinois Prairie Path pedestrian bridge.
Nikon D7500, Sigma 18-300, ISO 200, f/8.0, 105mm, 1/500s
Union Pacific ES44AC #5442 leads an eastbound train at the Wheaton Metra Station. Notice the Illinois Prairie Path Bridge which once carried Chicago Aurora & Elgin trains over this former Chicago & North Western Line. Contrast it to this 1998 photo www.flickr.com/photos/paulfortini/11366774994/in/photolis...
Warrenville, IL on the Illinois Prairie Path. A new plaza is being built here, honoring the Prairie Path and its history as the former Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railroad. The CA&E Warrenville Station building outlived the railroad's 1961 abandonment and later became Warrenville City Hall, albeit heavily modified from its original appearance. Unfortunately the building was demolished in the early 2000s.
A short portion of the Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch has been permanently closed. It formerly crossed the Elgin Joliet & Eastern about a block away from here. It was an unprotected crossing and when CN took over the EJE and increased train traffic, DuPage County closed this short segment and re-routed the path via city streets.
An outbound Metra Union Pacific West Line train passes under the Prairie Path and Manchester Road bridges at sunset in Wheaton.
Union Pacific Railroad ~ Geneva Subdivision ~ Mile Post 25.26
Nikon D7500, Sigma 18-300, ISO 500, f/4.8, 48mm, 1/60s
The Illinois Prairie Path provides a perfect place for a wintry walk in Wheaton. Happy Sunday! Good luck getting in the groove as you wander through the week ahead :)
Nikon D7500, Sigma 18-300, ISO 200, f/11.0, 38mm, 1/500s
