CERA in February: Illinois Terminal through the Illinois Valley - the Chicago Ottawa & Peoria by William Shapotkin

[Tony]

Quick note: CERA's Web site has undergone a quick refresh with a
simplified navigation and a new look. Check it out at http://www.cera-chicago.org

Now, onto regular busines. Our next program is:

Friday, February 25, 2011
1900 hrs / 7:00pm
University Center, 525 S. State St., Chicago, IL

Illinois Terminal through the Illinois Valley - the Chicago Ottawa &
Peoria
by William Shapotkin

Synopsis:
Although the Illinois Terminal itself operated only as far north as
Peoria, a subsidiary of the IT provided service between Joliet and
Princeton via Morris, Ottawa and Bureau providing (at one time) hourly
service thru the Illinois Valley serving communities until 1933.
Tonight we will follow the route of the all-but-forgotten interurban,
including a visit along its branches to Streator and Ladd and a brief
look at streetcar operations in Ottawa, LaSalle-Peru and Princeton.

Aside from a look back into the past, our tour will include views of
still-standing substations and bridges along the line as well as a few
views of its neighbor (and chief rail competitor), that "Mighty Fine
Line"— the Rock Island Railroad.