Quoted By:
Well I'll try to save the thread.
I think the North Shore Line was pretty neat, because...
>it had to compete directly with both the C&NW and the Milwaukee Road for Chicago-Milwaukee service, so it was built to high standards
>it was entirely double-tracked, save for a brief elevated portion south of Milwaukee
>it ran over the Chicago "L" into the Loop, and was 100% compatible with the "L" technology
>it had two state-of-the-art articulated trainsets which were air conditioned and capable of speeds over 110mph
>it was quite fast for the time (85mph/~136kmh speeds were not uncommon in regular service)
>it survived all the way to 1963, making it the last interurban line to be abandoned
Unfortunately, in the 1960s there was no government agency with the authority to operate or subsidize the financially ailing railroad, and since the same region was served by the aforementioned diesel lines, it was ultimately considered expendable. Today, only 5 miles of the (formerly 85 mile) system survive as the CTA "Yellow Line".
Let's hear about your local trolley lines.
