Number 3 in the Midwestern Rail Series:

Many books have been written about the late, great Pennsylvania Railroad, but few have given the Chicago Terminal Division much attention. This book changes that.

The Pennsylvania Railroad grew from a company seeking a route from the burgeoning port city of Philadelphia across the mountains of the Commonwealth into a goliath. By many measures, it was the largest railroad in the United States. As its dominance developed, it proudly proclaimed that it had become “The Standard Railroad of the World.” Its rails reached westward. Ultimately, Chicago became one (St. Louis and Peoria were the others) of its three westernmost terminals.

The Pennsy enjoyed two distinct mainlines into Chicago and a number of local routes that provided access to industry and enhanced operating flexibility. The South Chicago & Southern is commonly known, the Englewood Connecting Line lesser known, and the Calumet River Line, Calumet Western Railway, Cummings Branch, and State Line & Indiana City known only to a few historians.

This 8 ½ by 11inch, vertical format, 256-page, hardcover book explores how the Chicago terminal functioned, the history of the routes, traffic and industrial development, and business with connecting railroads. Over 270 photos, plus maps, tables, and drawings provide ample illustration. Interviews with former Pennsy railroaders give an insight into the human element of railroading in Chicago during the years following World War II up to the merger with New York Central.

This book is available through our dealers or directly from Pixels Publishing.