Commuter Train at Proviso Yard

Jack Delano is back from his trip out West on the Santa Fe, and is again visiting the Chicago and North Western’s Proviso Yard near Chicago. It’s a dreary day, apparently the last of winter in May of 1943 as the snow appears melted away.

Mr. Delano caught this commuter train arriving at the yard’s shelter stop. It will soon be filled with the workers heading home for the day. One would assume by the location and dress that these are railroad men, likely shop workers and clerks.

The train is comprised of old open-platform passenger cars, with the last car displaying the proper kerosene markers. And if you look very carefully, you can spot the brass knob on the back door. Note the shelters on either side of the tracks, even older retired open-platform passenger cars (sans the platforms and steps) sitting on the ground. One can see this area separated from the yard by a wooden fence. And another wooden fence separates the two mainlines, presumably to discourage folks from disembarking the train on the side toward the adjacent track.

Commuter Train at the Proviso Yard

4 thoughts on “Commuter Train at Proviso Yard

  1. Jack

    I’d bet that train is Eastbound, thus heading for Chicago, in the morning, given the shadows. But that area of the world is clearly flat.

    • You’re provably right, Roger. Looking at a map, (what I think is) the mainline is running along the south side of the yard. The only road that I see crossing the yard is Mannheim Road, and I assume that’s the elevated road seen in the distance.

      I believe this was after a shift change as several workers can be seen carrying lunch boxes (at least they can be seen on the hi-rez image that I have). Since the time is in the middle of WWII, it’s probably reasonable to assume that there were shifts working around the clock.

      -Jack

  2. Funny,
    Just been building a heavy weight dinner w/blue tented dinning windows and clear windows kitchen end.
    Old man winter is on his way with a few inches of snow for us here in OKC.
    Glad I have plenty to build while it snows.
    later Gator,
    Boudreaux

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