CSX Blue Island Subdivision

Blue Island Subdivision
Overview
Type	Freight rail
Status	Operational
Locale	northwest and southwest Chicago, IL
Termini	Blue Island, Illinois; North Lawndale, Chicago, Illinois
Operation
Owner	CSX
Operator(s)	C&WR(1886-1897); CTTR(1897-1910); C&NP(1890-1993); CSX(1993-);
Technical
Route number	BJ
Route map
	v; t; e; Legend
	File:BSicon BST.svg

CSX Blue Island Subdivision is a railway line in CSX Chicago Division. The line runs from Blue Island, Illinois to North Lawndale, Chicago, Illinois. At North Lawndale, it has a connection to the Altenheim Subdivision.

History

The line was acquired in 1897 by Chicago Terminal Transfer Railroad, and in 1910 by Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroad. At 79th Street was formerly a junction with the connecting line to Beverly Hills, with passenger trains from Grand Central Station formerly using trackage rights via the Rock Island line east of there. The double-track was constructed between 1890 and 1891. The section from Chicago to Western Avenue was constructed by Chicago & Great Western Railroad in 1886, and the section from Western Avenue to Blue Island was constructed by Chicago & Northern Pacific Railroad at the same time that the double-track was constructed.

Speed limit

Between Rockwell Street and Blue Island Junction is 40 mph.

Interlocking Towers location

Polk Street: Tower controlled movements at Grand Central Station, closed in 1969. It also controlled the Chicago River bridge immediately southwest from 1902 until 1930, when the river was straightened and a new drawbridge was built at 16th Street. The new tower constructed in 1949 was closer to Roosevelt Road.

South Branch Chicago River: Separate interlocking later replaced with a new consolidated interlocking at Polk Street. Out of service in 1899.

16th Street Bridge: Began use after the Chicago River straightening project. The south drawbridge continues in use for the St. Charles Air Line. While the north drawbridge, formerly enabling access to Grand Central Station, is no longer used. The south drawbridge was actually relocated from the previous river crossing of the St. Charles Air Line and shortened slightly. That bridge had been built in 1919, replacing an earlier bridge built in 1882.

Western Ave: Former junction with Chicago & North Western Rockwell Subdivision.

26th Street bridge: Out of service around 1898.

26th Street: The Baltimore & Ohio mainline, the PRR Panhandle line paralleling to the west, and the Chicago Junction line paralleling to the east, crossed the Illinois Northern industrial line, running east to west. Of the three railroads crossing the Illinois Northern line, only the crossings with the Baltimore & Ohio tracks were interlocked. Only the Baltimore & Ohio line remains, now CSX, and the Chicago Junction Railway, now Norfolk Southern.

Ash Street: Interlocking with IC(now CN).

Brighton Park: Interlocking with the former NYCRR (railroad)(later PC and now NPCR).

49th Street: Interlocking with the former PRR.

75th Street: Crossing of the CSX former Baltimore & Ohio line and the paralleling Pennsylvania Railroad Panhandle line, abandoned in 1986, with the SWS(former Wabash) and the BRC.

79th Street Junction: Junction where the passenger line previously continued straight south, while the freight line diverged west as the present CSX route. Prior to the 1920s, the freight lines diverged from the passenger lines at 75th Street. The passenger line used trackage rights over the Rock Island from Beverly Jct. east to South Chicago. Passenger trains were discontinued on May 1, 1971, with the creation of Amtrak.

Beverly Junction (Tower B): Junction with the former PRR.

Blue Island Junction: Junction with the GTW.

File:Tgcsxb.jpg

The track diagram of CSX Blue Island Subdivision.

Instructions

Chicago 911 protocol

In accordance with the City of Chicago’s new 911 protocol, the following street crossings have been identified as critical routes for the delivery of emergency services to the City of Chicago. The crossings, all located on the Blue Island Subdivision, are:

Locations	Mileposts
115th Street	DC 17.48
113th Street	DC 17.72
111th Street	DC 17.97
103rd Street	DC 18.97
99th Street	DC 19.46
95th Street	DC 19.96
87th Street	DC 20.98

When trains are stopped or anticipated to be obstructing any of these crossings for more than ten (10) minutes, train crew must notify the RB Train Dispatcher immediately. Upon receiving notification, the RB Train Dispatcher will advise the Ass’t Chief Dispatcher at Calumet City, who will contact the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Communications contact number.

88th Street

Trains eastbound on the Blue Island Subdivision must comply with the following instructions when being held at CP 88th Street. Trains 5,000 feet or less in length must stop clear of CP 82nd St. Trains exceeding 5,000 feet in length must stop short of 87th Street. Trains stopping at 87th Street must use the stretch braking method of train control to stop their trains. Trains stopping for crew change must stop short of 87th Street.

127th Street

Eastward trains with more than twenty cars will not pass 127th Street, except under signal indication or by permission of the RB train dispatcher. If a train must stop on 127th St., the RB dispatcher is to be notified immediately.

Quiet Zone – 99th Street to 127th Street

The FRA train horn rule makes provisions for quiet zones, which are defined in the code of federal regulations (CFR) as follows: A segment of a rail line, within which is situated one or a number of public highway-rail crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded. A local government must meet a number of requirements before the FRA will grant permission to establish a quiet zone. Once FRA approval is received, and once a quiet zone is established, the locomotive horn must not be sounded when approaching public crossings within the quiet zone. There are the following exceptions: The locomotive horn must be sounded when approaching roadway workers, when proceeding through work limits, in emergencies or when otherwise required by CSX operating rules. Refer to operating rules 14(L), 14(P), and 15. A quiet zone is established between 123rd Street – MP DC 14.46 and 99th Street – MP DC 19.46. Except when necessary in an emergency, or as provided in the exceptions listed above, the locomotive horn must not be sounded when approaching public crossing within the quiet zone. The locomotive bell must be rung when approaching and passing public crossings within the quiet zone. The determination of whether there is an emergency is at the sole discretion of the locomotive engineer.

Operating Rule 100-E

All highway grade crossings on the Blue Island Subdivision are now equipped with constant time-motion detectors. Trains must operate in accordance with Operating Rule 100-E when approaching these crossings.

Instructions relating to restricted equipment

Exception to restricted equipment rule 4463

Restriction on the placement of double-stack equipment prescribed by rule 4463 does not apply to trains on that portion of the Blue Island SD between 51st Street (DC 25.5) and 75th Street (DC 22.5). When double-stack equipment is handled on the rear of this movement, the entire movement within these limits is restricted to a speed not exceeding 15 MPH. Unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent, equipment is restricted in the use of tracks and bridges.

Mileposts

Mileposts	Locations
29.8	Rockwell St.
29.5	14th St.
29.4	16th St.
28.8	22nd St.
28.5	26th St.
27.8	Ash St. (CN crossing/remote-CN dispatcher)
27.6	35th St.
27.4	Brighton Park (crossing-Canadian National-remote-Norfolk Southern-Ashland Avenue Yard)
27.0	39th St.
25.7	51st St.
24.8	59th St.
23.8	64th St.
22.8	Belt Connection
22.5	75th St. (Metra/BRC crossing)
22.1	79th St.
21.6	CP 82nd St.
20.8	CP 88th St.
15.0	Blue Island Jct. (IHB junction)

Railroad Crossings at Grade

Location	Railroad	Protection
75th Street	Norfolk Southern, Belt Railway of Chicago	Remotely Controlled
Brighton Park	Illinois Central, Norfolk Southern	Semaphore - Vertical for CSX
Ash Street	IC	Manual Interlocking

Yard location & details

At MP24.8 there is the 59th Street Yard. This yard has the below specifications:

Yard technical details

Number of tracks	Address	Email Address	Hours of operation	Lift hours	Phone number	Firms code
3	2101 West 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60636	[email protected]	Monday-Sunday: 24 Hrs	Monday-Sunday: 24 Hrs	(773) 358-4405	J054

Owner

This terminal is operated by CSX Intermodal Terminals Incorporation. This terminal serves Domestic and International intermodal freight.

Products availability

The following products are available at this location: UMAX, Private Containers and RailPlus.

Notes

Rockwell St. to 14th St. - 1 track, yard rules.

14th St. to Brighton Park - 2 tracks, signaled for normal right-hand operation.

Brighton Park to Blue Island Jct. - 2 tracks, CTC in use.

Controlled by CSX "RB" Dispatcher in Calumet City.

References

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