A little correction… this bridge was used for rapid transit cars, not streetcars or trolleys. It was owned by the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad, not Chicago Surface Lines.
Awesome old bridge! Great old photos! That's a lucky old bridge to still be with us! Great story and history! Love the train's too! Thanks for sharing!👍
I remember seeing this as a small child and it would already have been abandoned for 10 years. The bridge really does look unique when you view it from a Milwaukee Road Superdome
These were the glass top Dome cars the Milwaukee Road used until Amtrak in 1971 on their Hiawatha trains to the Twin Cities. It was a great view of the downtown after the train turned at Western Avenue heading for Union Station
I explored the neighborhoods north of that bridge all the way to where the old line connected to the Blue Line until 1951. On one block there was a vacant lot that had a large concrete abutment that held up the elevated tracks. On another block, the street was lined with century old apartment buildings, except for two much newer buildings which were directly opposite one another, which told me this is where the elevated line ran across the street. You are correct about watching where you are going around there.
Satoli, please be careful. No joke. This area you are filming in is not safe. I rode in under this bridge for 13 years when I communted into Chicago on the Southshore and I remember this bridge well. Very cool to know the history. Please safe safe. I have seen a lot over those years and can speak to authority with this area. If you still go to this area, mid morning is safest.
The bridge being featured is not along the Southshore line. It is one block west of Ashland Avenue on the near west side of Chicago and goes over the former Chicago & Northwestern and Milwaukee Road lines.
We rails call it the ‘Met’ bridge which is short for the original railroad that it carried - the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad…..all tracks underneath ( even the relatively unused looking track on the far south side ) are active.
Went up there years back to see the German U boat in the Museum of science and industry. The whole museum turned out to be great. But the U boat display and tour was awesome. I highly recommend you check it out while you're up there.
Chicago has some of the best museums in the country! The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, & Art Museum are excellent too! The Shedd Aquarium is an awesome display of Art Deco! The level of detail carved into the bronze doors to the frames, baseboards, molding, light fixtures, etc. All ocean and water themed. Just beautiful! I grew up in the Chicago area and I always try to hit up a museum when I visit.
Unlike the 606 path that runs along an old railroad viaduct for a few miles, this bridge isn’t connected to anything it’s in a lightly populated industrial area, and it’s just a couple hundred feet from an existing viaduct under the railroad. There’s no footpath in this old flyover’s future.
A little correction… this bridge was used for rapid transit cars, not streetcars or trolleys. It was owned by the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad, not Chicago Surface Lines.
OK, that's the information I was given.
Great stuff, as always! Thank you!
You're welcome! Glad you liked it.
I’m glad they decided to keep that bridge. The history behind it is very fascinating.
Me too!
Awesome old bridge! Great old photos! That's a lucky old bridge to still be with us! Great story and history! Love the train's too! Thanks for sharing!👍
That was a really active rail line. A train came thru about every 5 minutes.
Satolli, another great history lesson. Kudos and Cheers, Mate.
Thanks! I'm headed back to Chicago in March for some more videos.
I remember seeing this as a small child and it would already have been abandoned for 10 years. The bridge really does look unique when you view it from a Milwaukee Road Superdome
You can see it from there???
These were the glass top Dome cars the Milwaukee Road used until Amtrak in 1971 on their Hiawatha trains to the Twin Cities. It was a great view of the downtown after the train turned at Western Avenue heading for Union Station
I explored the neighborhoods north of that bridge all the way to where the old line connected to the Blue Line until 1951. On one block there was a vacant lot that had a large concrete abutment that held up the elevated tracks. On another block, the street was lined with century old apartment buildings, except for two much newer buildings which were directly opposite one another, which told me this is where the elevated line ran across the street. You are correct about watching where you are going around there.
Isn't it amazing what you can find out if you just stop and look at your surroundings?
Sketchy. That's an understatement.
🧢🇺🇸
I was in much worse areas when I was up that way. :)
No sense tearing it down if it serves a purpose! Nice lookin' bridge. Thanks!
You're absolutely right!
Satoli, please be careful. No joke. This area you are filming in is not safe. I rode in under this bridge for 13 years when I communted into Chicago on the Southshore and I remember this bridge well. Very cool to know the history. Please safe safe. I have seen a lot over those years and can speak to authority with this area. If you still go to this area, mid morning is safest.
OK, thanks for the headsup. I appreciate it!
The bridge being featured is not along the Southshore line. It is one block west of Ashland Avenue on the near west side of Chicago and goes over the former Chicago & Northwestern and Milwaukee Road lines.
@ thanks for clarifying that.
Wrong bridge, friend! This spans the Union Pacific West & both Milwaukee District lines…
@ Thanks for the clarification.
We rails call it the ‘Met’ bridge which is short for the original railroad that it carried - the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad…..all tracks underneath ( even the relatively unused looking track on the far south side ) are active.
Thanks for the info about the tracks running underneath the bridge. I didn't know that.
If they ever decide to demo it. Hopefully it can be moved and used on a walking or bike trail.
Hopefully they'll save it.
Went up there years back to see the German U boat in the Museum of science and industry.
The whole museum turned out to be great.
But the U boat display and tour was awesome.
I highly recommend you check it out while you're up there.
I'm headed back to Chicago next month. I'll check it out. Thanks!
Chicago has some of the best museums in the country! The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, & Art Museum are excellent too! The Shedd Aquarium is an awesome display of Art Deco! The level of detail carved into the bronze doors to the frames, baseboards, molding, light fixtures, etc. All ocean and water themed. Just beautiful!
I grew up in the Chicago area and I always try to hit up a museum when I visit.
i was going to say , too bad it couldnt be a cycle / foot bridge . but no approaces . sigh
Exactly. It's just kind of up in the air. :)
Unlike the 606 path that runs along an old railroad viaduct for a few miles, this bridge isn’t connected to anything it’s in a lightly populated industrial area, and it’s just a couple hundred feet from an existing viaduct under the railroad. There’s no footpath in this old flyover’s future.
@ good point.
The bridge is still owned by CTA fun fact
OK, thanks!