Belt Railway of Chicago
Perhaps the biggest classification yard in Chicago, Belt RY's Clearing Yard handles traffic frommany different railroads. Famous for its Alco C424 transfer power, many ignored the 'Belt's EMD
switchers. I was fortunate in '79 to obtain a clearance into the yard from a kind Yardmaster;
"NEVER try to enter this yard without permission!".
The 'Belt" was the last U.S. railroad to employ cow-calf combinations in transfer service.
BRC SW1200, shown in BRC's older paint scheme.
524 was one of 3 SW1200's on the Belt.
BRC SW9 #521, one of 4 SW9's on the BRC.
Very attractive Paint scheme.
BRC SW9 #521, another shot of SW9 521 next to #511, a TR2B Calf.
BRC SW7 TR4A - This intersting shot of TR4A (SW7) coupled to TR2B (NW2)
at Pullman Jct. This location in 1979 was one of the busiest locations in Chicago
with over 150 train movements in 24 hrs. It is today only a shadow of its former self.
BRC SW1500, one of 3 SW1500's on the roster. 530 is pushing a SOO LINE SD40-2
onto the holdong track. It's interesting that the BRC bought small numbers of
many EMD switcher types instead of using just one or two types. All of BRC's
motive power were ballasted heavier than normal to provide more tractive effort.
All photos were generously submitted by Brian Nicholson
top of page
Terminal & Switching Railroads page