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| Name | CNW Fox River Trail Bridge Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge #600 |
| Built By | Chicago & North Western Railway |
| Currently Owned By | Union Pacific Railroad |
| Superstructure Contractor | American Bridge Company of New York |
| Substructure Contractor | Unknown |
| Length | 62 Feet Total |
| Width | 1 Track |
| Height Above Ground | 20 Feet (Estimated) |
| Superstructure Design | Through Plate Girder |
| Substructure Design | Stone Masonry |
| Date Built | 1903 |
| Traffic Count | 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned) |
| Current Status | Abandoned |
| Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge Number | 600 |
| Significance | Local Significance |
| Documentation Date | 1/26/2022; 4/11/2023 |
In 1854, the Fox River Valley Railroad (FRV) constructed 36 miles of new railroad line, extending between the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad line at Elgin, Illinois; north to Genoa, Wisconsin. In 1860, the FRV became part of the Elgin & State Line Railroad (E&SL). This railroad was one of a number of branch lines constructed in northeast Illinois during the early years of railroad development. In 1871, an additional nine miles were completed north to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by the State Line and Union Railroad Company (SL&UR). This railroad became part of the E&SL in 1880, and the E&SL was consolidated into the Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) in 1883. The C&NW was beginning to construct and acquire a large network of railroads throughout the Midwest. In 1888, the C&NW funded a subsidiary, the Geneva & State Line Railway Company, to construct an additional 6 miles to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The railroad would be consolidated into the C&NW in 1889, and the line would not be extended further.
This route served as a branch line for the C&NW, connecting industries in cities along the Fox River. The line also connected to an additional C&NW route at Genoa. The C&NW would become a prominent railroad in the Midwest, eventually building a system over 11,000 miles long. Throughout the 20th Century, the importance of this line diminished. The C&NW would abandon the line between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay in 1966; between Lake Geneva and Ringwood, Illinois in 1982; and between Crystal Lake and Elgin in 1983. In 1995, the C&NW would be purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Today, Union Pacific continues to operate the Crystal Lake to Ringwood portion of the line as the McHenry Subdivision, which serves a couple of industries and commuter service to McHenry as an extension of the Metra Union Pacific-Northwest Line. In addition, the Fox River Trail utilizes the railroad grade between Elgin and Carpentersville; and the Prairie Trail uses and runs parallel to the grade between Carpentersville and the state line.
Located on the south side of Elgin, this through girder bridge carries an abandoned Chicago & North Western Railway line over the Fox River Trail. When the Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Railway constructed its line into Elgin, an underpass would be required at the crossing of the C&NW. The first bridge at this location was likely a temporary trestle, which allowed the AE&C to complete construction and open its line in August 1902. In 1903, the C&NW would construct a permanent crossing of the AE&C, giving the bridge its current configuration. Currently, the bridge consists of a 62-foot through plate girder span, set onto stone abutments. The bridge runs at a 39 degree skew, and the through girder utilizes a sheet metal deck. American Bridge Company fabricated the girder span, and the abutments were constructed by an unknown contractor. Based on the whitish color of the stone, it appears the stone was quarried at Duck Creek, Wisconsin; where the C&NW operated a large quarry. Unlike many C&NW through plate girders, this span utilizes squared edges, and the floor system is constructed of parallel floorbeams between the girders. Through girder spans were popular with railroads, as the simple design was both durable and easy to construct. The railroad underneath became the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railway in 1919, and was abandoned in 1961. Since then, the railroad grade has been reused as the Fox River Trail. Today, the bridge is abandoned, and its future uncertain. Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with severe deterioration to the sheet metal deck. The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
Citations
| Build date | Chicago & North Western Valuation Notes at the Chicago & North Western Historical Society Archives |
| Builder | American Bridge Company plaque |
| Railroad History Citation | ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele |