Was driving through Joliet a few days ago and made my obligatory pass around the "J"/CN yard and noted that the entire roundhouse complex had been removed. Read subsequently that the land is being redeveloped for an intermodal terminal. Know all of this makes great economic sense and a sign of the continuing strength and resurgence of the industry, but for an older hand such as myself, a sad turn of events. The house was still in use until very recently.
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Everybody hates that.....a piece of history lost....
Yes, CN has changed the EJ&E forever. These days, I feel good if I even see one orange locomotive on the line. Progress is good, but its not so good.
I can't remember exactly when it was torn down, but it's been awhile. The turntable 'bridge' has been removed as well. I was lucky enough, shortly after the takeover of the J that I got to spin an engine on the turntable... a C40-8M(cowl GE) to be exact.
The roundhouse at Kirk yard in Gary, IN is staying from what I've heard. As much as it stinks to see such a neat regional go away, but we're running more and more trains everyday on the J.
CN_Hogger
The roundhouse has been gone for around 5 years if I remember correctly. Within the past year they have removed almost all of the old cars that were sitting on the east side of the yard, where the old locomotive shop used to be. They also removed a few old stone buildings, within the past year. Almost everything that once was, is now gone. With that said, when im around the yard, I can still see what it once was.
Speaking of the locomotive shop, still sad they tore that down.
Photograph from www.ejearchive.com
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