Images of the
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern

available exclusively from the


Around Not Thru Chicago

With the impending takeover by Canadian National scheduled in late 2008, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company will cease being an independent railroad just short of its 120th birthday.

From its humble beginnings between Joliet and Aurora, it quickly grew as shippers saw the advantage of a route around the congestion of Chicago. Industry noticed the advantages too, and quickly developed along the EJ&E. With easy access to ports and other railroads, along with access to coal and limestone deposits, the EJ&E quickly became an integral part of the operations of the United States Steel Corporation.

Throughout the years -- industrial decline in the 70s, deregulation in the 80s, the mega-mergers of the 90s -- the railroad experienced trying times, but ultimately survived thanks to the hard work of its leaders and employees.

In 2007, CN saw “the J” as the solution to the Chicago bottleneck, just as the EJ&E's founders intended.


Celebrate our region's unique shortline with digital reproductions of images from the Blackhawk Chapter archives.

Images of the EJ&E Volume 1 features over 150 images of “the J” including: photographs of cars, locomotives and structures, steam locomotive drawings, and maps.  
Images of the EJ&E Volume 2 features over 200 images, including a history of the railroad, employee picnic programs, employee timetables, promotional materials and more long-lost photos of equipment and facilities. 
Where to Buy

These Windows™-compatible CD-ROMs are priced at $12 and can be purchased at:

  • any Blackhawk Chapter monthly meeting
    7:30 PM on the 1st Friday of the month (except July and August)
    Gladys Fox Museum
    9th Street and Washington Street
    Lockport, Illinois


  • any swap meet or train show attended by the Blackhawk Chapter.
    See the Schedule for our next appearance.

 

Order By Mail

Order by mail by printing out the Order Form and sending a check or money order made payable to “Blackhawk Chapter NRHS” for $12 (shipping included) to:

Blackhawk Chapter NRHS
2009 Boehme Street
Lockport, IL 60441

Please specify which volume(s) and quantity when you order.

Thanks to all the fans of “the J” for your interest in this project
and for your support of the Blackhawk Chapter!

Click here to return to the Blackhawk Chapter Store


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Contents © 2007 Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc.
This page last modified June 27, 2008 by Blackhawk Chapter Webmaster
Blackhawk Chapter Website logo by Dave Daruszka