Railroads, Chicago-style

Outbound Burlington Northern commuter train at left passing an Amtrak train just south of Chicago Union Station. The Harrison Street Tower at right still exists today but is completely enclosed by the new post office.

October 1986

Photo by G. Morris

Penn Central GP9 pulling Amtrak passenger cars out of Chicago Union Station, passing the Harrison Street - Polk Street tower.

That tower still exists but today it is completely enclosed within the new post office building that was built at this location.

April 1974

Photo by Mark Llanuza

“A Scene now Covered Over”

Amtrak's Capitol Limited backs into Chicago Union Station, passing under the Old Post Office building

Note the elevated Harrison Street Tower at right; this structure still exists but is no longer used, and is not visible since it is encased by the New Post Office building, which was built over and around it and covers this whole scene today.

January 1992

Photo by Lou Gerard

(via A Scene now Covered Over | Amtrak's Capitol Limited backs in… | Flickr)

Broadway Limited by Bill Wilcox Via Flickr: “Amtrak train 40, the eastbound Broadway Limited behind F40PHR 258, 259, E8A 447 & E9B 492, backs into Union Station in preparation for departure to New York and Washington, as seen from the Polk Street bridge, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 11 August 1978.”

Photo by Bill Wilcox

Top: Amtrak F40PH 355 departing Union Station in Chicago, Illinois on October 13, 1987, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler.  

Bottom: Amtrak F40PHR 364 at Polk Street in Chicago, Illinois on October 13, 1987, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler.  Note the Harrison Street Tower at upper right.

Caption: “Conrail SW1 No. 8433 brings a 5-car Superliner-equipped Amtrak train out of Chicago Union Station past Harrison Street Tower in May 1982. This view is from Polk Street overpass, which is now removed. The Harrison Street Tower is no longer used today and is totally encased in the new Post Office building.”

Chicago

May 1982

Photo by Mike Danneman

Caption: “In May 1982, New York Central tavern-lounge-observation car No. 48 trails an Amtrak train into Chicago Union Station scissoring past Amtrak SW1 No. 736 and F40PH 249 leading another passenger train. This observation car was frequently seen on Amtrak trains in and out of Chicago during this era. The view is from the now-gone Polk Street overpass, and features Harrison Street Tower, which is no longer used today and is totally encased in a new Post Office building.”

Chicago

May 1982

Photo by Mike Danneman

CB&Q Chicago Illinois Union Station 001 by barrigerlibrary on Flickr.

Caption: “Amtrak EMD GP7 No. 760 switches a train below Harrison Street Tower on Chicago Union Station trackage as seen from Polk Street in May 1983. This overpass is now gone and the tower is no longer used today, totally encased in a new Post Office building. No. 760 is former Frisco No. 610 built in January 1952.“

Chicago

May 1983

Photo by Mike Danneman

Amtrak SSB1200 564 by Chuck Zeiler on Flickr.

Amtrak SSB1200 564 at Polk Street in Chicago, Illinois on October 13, 1987. Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler.

The Harrison Street Interlocking Tower on the right still stands but is not visible today because the new post office building was built over and around it.

Caption: “New York Central tavern-lounge-observation car No. 48 trails an Amtrak train into Chicago Union Station in May 1983. This car was frequently seen on Amtrak trains in and out of Chicago during this era. The view is from the now-gone Polk Street overpass, and features Harrison Street Tower, which is no longer used today and is totally encased in a new Post Office building.“

Chicago

May 1983

Photo by Mike Danneman

ATSF GP20 3119 Chicago Union Station by fourhundredfleet on Flickr.

Caption: "ATSF GP20 3119 shoves Amtrak train #3 into Union Station in Chicago, Ill. on July 3, 1971. The Santa Fe continued to service Amtrak's Super Chief, El Capitan, and Texas Chief in the Santa Fe coach yard south of the station. The GP20s replaced the H1244TS and RS1s that had been used in the coach yard for many years. The Super Chief will be renamed at a later date when Santa Fe withdrew permission to use the Super Chief name because Amtrak's service did not meet Santa Fe's standards."

Today this area is the site of the new post office building. The railroad tower to the right of the train is enclosed by the post office building.

Photo by Jim Lewnard

Amtrak 248 Chicago 6/24/80 by John Hake

An Amtrak train approaches Chicago Union Station from the south. The Harrison Street tower on the left controlled movements here. Today, this tower is no longer used, but the structure still exists, completely covered by the new post office.

Chicago

June 24, 1980

Photo by John Hake

Polk Street, Chicago by Lance Via Flickr: Top: “In the summer of 1981 a number of ex-New York Central SW1s under Conrail employment worked as Amtrak switchers at Chicago Union Station. The 8438 rumbles northward toward Polk Street Tower as a BN E-unit pokes out under the Post Office annex. This tower is still there--completely covered over by an expansion of the Post Office.”

Bottom: “Amtrak F40PH #300 heads up the Lake Cities as it departs Chicago Union Station late in the morning on August 20, 1981.”

Chicago

Photos by Lance Wales

Penn Central GP-7with Amtrak April 1974 Harrison Street tower , by Mark LLanuza Via Flickr: Caption: “Penn Central GP7 takes an Amtrak train back out to 21st Street yard. I took this from Taylor Street when it was still a bridge being used. The Harrison Street tower today is covered up by the new post office and no longer being used.”

Chicago

April 1974

Photo by Mark Llanuza

Penn Central GP-7 with Amtrak April 1974 Harrinson st tower by Mark LLanuza on Flickr.

Penn Central GP7 with Amtrak train passing the Harrison Street tower south of Chicago Union Station Chicago April 1974 Photo by Mark Llanuza

Amtrak Turboliner Chicago Illinois Aug 1979 by Engine Shed on Flickr.

Photo by Pete Piszczek