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.

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

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.

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.

A typical rush hour scene in the magnificent Chicago Station of the Chicago and North Western Railway.

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.

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.

Six tracks south of the Chicago Union Station were busy on this autumn day in 1963. Burlington commuter train (center) backs into the station. The Morning Zephyr is pulled by a switcher on its way to be washed, turned and cleaned for its return run to the Twin Cities as the Afternoon Zephyr. Pennsylvania's The General is departing for New York and the Broadway Limited, which has just arrived from the East, is backing into the terminal.

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".

Illinois Central's "The Panama Limited" train No. 5, southbound, an all Pullman streamliner, departing from Chicago on its 921.1 mile run to New Orleans.

For many years Grand Central Station was one of Chicago's busiest railroad terminals. beneath the great trainshed, spanning six tracks, Baltimore and Ohio's passenger trains await the hour of departure.

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.

The Chicago and North Western Railway - spanning a period of many years - always operated the largest fleer of commuter trains into and out of the "Windy City". This scene portrays seven suburban-bound trains which have departed from the Chicago Station. The city of Chicago is in the background.

Illinois Central's modern streamliner "The Green Diamond" train No. 21, southbound, leaving Chicago enroute to St. Louis.

Illinois Central streamlined passenger train with a consist of nine cars, headed by engine No. 2418, a Mountain type 4-8-2 locomotive, leaving Chicago Central Station.

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.

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"

On a snowy night in December 1947, passengers are boarding the Chicago and North Western's "Twin Cities 400" streamliner at the Chicago Station.

In the closing years of the "Glory Days of Steam" the Chicago and North Western Railway's work horses stand at track ends in the Chicago passenger station.

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.

Illinois Central Railroad's "St. Louis Special" train No. 1-501, headed by Engine No. 2450 - a mountain type 4-8-2 locomotive, departing from the Central Station in Chicago.

Most of the Chicago and North Western Railway's fleet of passenger trains traveled behind Pacifics like No. 2911, seen here leaving the Chicago station in 1939. The city of Chicago is in the background of this photo.