This photograph depicts one of the nations finest railroad passenger stations - Chicago and North Western Railway's Chicago passenger station. Sign above the station says" Streamliners, North Western, Union Pacific"

One of the nation's great railroad passenger terminals, the Chicago Union Station on July 13, 1969.

This photograph depicts one of the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad's suburban passenger trains departing from 64th Street Station Chicago. The train is headed by Engine No. 210 - a Prairie type 2-6-2 locomotive, with a consist of five standard heavyweight passenger coaches.

This photograph portrays an unusual rail consist: Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad's Engine No. 202, a 2-6-2 type heading the "pay-car" in Chicago. In this era the railroad's tracks were being elevated throughout the metropolitan area.

In Dearborn Station, Chicago, the Santa Fe's "Texas Chief" train No. 15, southbound awaits the departure signal as the "El Capitan" train No. 17, westbound, with a full-length Dome car, departs for California.

"The Abraham Lincoln", train No. 2, northbound, departs from Springfield, Illinois in 1963. This Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad train ran from St. Louis to Chicago.

'The Alton Limited" passing Iles Tower near Springfield, Illinois in 1939.

Gulf, Mobile and Ohio's "The Ann Rutledge" train No. 19 southbound, departing from Springfield, Illinois in 1957. Notice the State Capitol building behind the train.

The Chicago and North Western Railway's E-4 type streamliners, which headed the "Overland Limited" and "Challenger" trains between Chicago and the West Coast, stand in the Chicago Passenger Station.

Monotone postcard with the word ALICE across the front. Within the letters of the word are faces of women. Written at the bottom of the front of the card, " From your sis who is having a time in Chicago". Correspondence on the back reads," My dear Sis:- I am still having 'Time of my life' but am getting anxious to hear from somebody. Especially as I left Pap not well. Had one letter from Hattie. We went to Jackson park last night and walked about 1 1/2 miles on the lake front - my it was grand. Rosa". It is addressed to Mrs. E.A. Dill, P.O. Box 838, Oklahoma City, Okla. It is postmarked Chicago, Ill. on Aug 25, 1908.

One of the most unique of all railroad photographs: It is a January night in 1958 and a blizzard-snowstorm rages in the "Windy City". This scene is in the yards - the Chicago and North Western Railway's Chicago passenger station is visible in the background. Observe the gas jets which are keeping switches from being frozen.

Color postcard with a picture of the boat house at Humboldt Park in Chicago, Illinois. The large boathouse sits on the edge of a lake surrounded by trees. A couple rows in a boat across the water. The correspondence reads, "Dear old Sis, Am still having a fine time wish you and Hes were here with me. Am going out on an auto this aft. to take in the city. Don't know when I'll find time to write a letter. as they ? when I write postals. Lovingly, Rosa". It is addressed to Mrs. E.A. Dill, P.O.Box 838, Oklahoma City, Okla. It is postmarked Aug 24 1908.

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad's "California Zephyr", one of the nation's greatest trains, is leaving Chicago for the Pacific Coast, making a cross-over on the main line tracks south of the Chicago's Union Station in October 1963.

Postcard with an image of Chaddock College. To the right of the image is the text, "Chaddock College, Quincy, Ill." Handwritten is, "Aug 19-07 Love and kisses from Erloo and Babbo to Dolly [ ] M.E." The postcard is addressed to Miss Rosa Louise Dill, 206 E 5th Street, Oklahoma City, Okla. It is postmarked Quincy, Ill. on Aug 30, 1907.

Aerial view of the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad's fabulous 51st Street coach yard and facilities in Chicago. At this time the destruction of the nation's great network of rail passenger service was only about two years away.

Early morning commuters from Chicago Union Station cross the Jackson Street bridge. In the background is the office portion which contains the Station's main waiting room.

South side of the Chicago Union Station which is used by passenger trains of the Penn Central, Burlington Northern and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroads. The north side of this station is used by trains of the Milwaukee Road.

Concourse area of the Chicago Union Station looking toward the main waiting rooms on May 16, 1969.

One of the Illinois Central's de luxe passenger trains; the "Daylight Special" train No. 19 southbound, stands in the Central Station in Chicago - as passengers entrain - prior to the departure hour : 10:02 AM. This train (and its companion, No. 20 northbound) operated between Chicago, Springfield, and St. Louis. The rail distance was 294.17 miles; and the schedule was 7 hours and 44 minutes: equivalent to a running time of about 40 miles per hour. This photograph was taken in the summer of 1911. This was a modern train in that era - cited in the Official Guide of the Railways (June 1916) as: All steel and electric-lighted. The consist included: chair cars and coaches, cafe-club car and Observation Parlor car.

Color postcard with an image of a street that runs through a residential area. Below the image is the text, "Quincy, Ill., East Main Street" and handwritten is, "Aug. 22-1907. Love to Dolly [ ] from your Baboo and Erloo." The postcard is addressed to Miss Rosa Louise Dill, #206 E 5th Street, Oklahoma City, Okla. It is postmarked Quincy, Ill. on Aug 30, 1907.

A famous name train which operated for many years between Chicago and Milwaukee, the North Shore Line's "Electro-liner" stands on elevated railway track in the Roosevelt Road Yard, Chicago on January 18, 1963.

Color postcard with an image of the First National Bank Building of Chicago. Correspondence reads, "[ ] write more. Dearfully glad to hear from you." It is addressed to Miss E. A. Dill, 206 E. 5th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. It is postmarked Peoria, Ill. on Jun 1907 .

Grand Central Station, Chicago was opened on December 8, 1890. Baltimore and Ohio's passenger service into and out of this terminal was inaugurated in Dec 1, 1891. Sign on the side of the building says, " C & O, B & O Want Passengers? You bet! only $22.15 to Washington - Free movies - Try us - WA.2-2211".

One if the nation's greatest rail terminals was the Baltimore and Ohio's Grand Central Station in Chicago. The station has a large clock tower on the corner and automobiles outside on the street. Grand Central Station was opened on Dec 8, 1890.