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Chicago Rail Link

Chicago Rail Link
Overview
Current operatorOmniTRAX
Headquarters2728 E 104th Street, Chicago, Illinois
Reporting markCRL
LocaleSouth Side of Chicago
Dates of operation1980–present
Predecessors
  • Rock Island
  • LaSalle & Bureau County Railway: 1892-1986
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length72 miles (116 km)
Other
WebsiteOmniTRAX: CRL

The Chicago Rail Link (reporting mark CRL) is a shortline switching railroad in Illinois. It owns and operates more than 72 miles of track on the South Side of Chicago.[1] It is owned by OmniTRAX.[2]

History

The Chicago Rail Link was essentially organized 29 August 1980[3] after the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad abandoned track when it went defunct. It was originally called the LaSalle & Bureau County Railway[3] and owned former CRI&P track between LaSalle and Midway, Illinois. This track was abandoned in the Link's early years and is now owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad.[4] The Chicago Rail Link merged with Chicago, West Pullman & Southern railroad on August 15, 1996.[3]

In late 2018, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced that the Chicago Rail Link will receive $1.6 million in funding from the United States Department of Transportation to implement positive train control.[5]

The Chicago Rail Link was the contract switching operator for Union Pacific and CSX's intermodal facilities in Chicago as of 2010, but it is unclear whether this contract is still effective.[6] The CRL serves the Port of Chicago, as well as being the current switching operator over Metra trackage to their Blue Island yard on the Rock Island District.[1]

Trackage

The Chicago Rail Link's trackage stretches between Kensington, Irondale, Mokena, and Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Rail Link has access to the BNSF Railway, the Canadian National Railway, the Canadian Pacific Railway, the CSX Transportation network, the Kansas City Southern Railway, the Norfolk Southern Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad through the Belt Railway of Chicago.[1] This is supplemented by trackage rights on the BRC for direct access.[4] The Chicago Rail Link also provides access to the Iowa Interstate Railroad through Blue Island.[1]

CRI&P Subdivision 1B

The majority of the Chicago Rail Link's trackage was CRI&P's Subdivision 1B, which was constructed in 1874. Automatic block signalling was installed in the 1910s; however, upon Chicago Rail Link ownership, the line was downgraded to be unsignaled and single-tracked.[7] This subdivision was used by Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for passenger trains crossing the Rock Island main line at Gresham Junction. This junction is now where Metra Rock Island District splits.

There was a former extension of the line that went almost one half of a mile further, which intersected the main branch of the current day Metra Rock Island District.

Industrial Site Development

The Chicago Rail Link owns two plots of land in the South Side of Chicago. It is a part of OmniTRAX's Rail-Ready Sites program. OmniTRAX is cooperating with the Calumet Area Industrial Commission to sell these plots of land. They are both served by the Chicago Rail Link.[8]

Equipment

Model Road number
EMD GP7 4
28
29
2066
4297
EMD GP9 58
59
EMD GP10 1042
EMD GP18 14
15
EMD GP35 2
EMD SW8 43
46
EMD SW9 51
EMD SW1200 52
EMD SW1500 18
19

[9][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Our Managed Railroad: Chicago Rail Link". OmniTrax. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Rail News - OmniTRAX honors five employees' safety efforts. For Railroad Career Professionals".
  3. ^ a b c "Chicago Rail Link CRL #420". www.up.com. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "FRA - Safety Map". U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Rail News - New York, Illinois senators announce federal PTC funding for several roads. For Railroad Career Professionals". Progressive Railroading. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Chicago Rail Link, LLC". OmniTRAX. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010.
  7. ^ "RAILROAD OPERATING INFORMATION". www.chicagorailfan.com. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  8. ^ "CRL-combo" (PDF). Chicago Rail Link. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  9. ^ Locomotive roster
  10. ^ "CRL - Chicago Rail Link Locomotive Roster". RR Picture Archives. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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