- 2/25/2008 Help Save Grasselli Tower -

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is attempting to save Grasselli interlocking tower and move it to HVRM's museum site in North Judson, Indiana. The tower was recently deactivated in 2007. Located in East Chicago, the tower use to control the interlocking for the IHB, EJ&E and at one time, the B&O Chicago Terminal as well. To get more information on how the effort is progressing and how you can help, go to: www.grassellitower.com

- 6/29/2007 All New Look for EJ&E Switcher -

Mike Janke surprised EJ&E fans when he photographed the J's SW1001 #446 sitting outside WSOR's Horicon paint shop, in this all new yellow and red scheme. #446 was originally on the Lake Terminal Ry. It had worked on the EJ&E in the old LT paint scheme for a number of years. The unit was recently refurbished by the EJ&E shops, and Edward Weisensel had also photographed #446 as it arrived to Horicon for paint. The assumption was that the unit would receive the usual EJ&E green switcher scheme... but out came the yellow & red instead. USS apparently wants to have all switchers painted in this scheme from now on.

- 5/12/2007 New Track for Shearson Line -

It was discovered that the Shearson Line will apparently be receiving a fairly major upgrade soon... Ribbon-rail was spotted laying alongside the RoW. Speculation is that the BP oil refinery on the line will be eventually be producing more traffic, due to a switch to canadian crude oil.

- 1/31/2007 The 'Voice of the J' Retires -

Anyone who's ever listened to EJ&E radio easily recognizes the familiar voice of Dispatcher "BK". His witty dispatching style is completely unique in the railroad world. BK retires this month after many years of dedicated service on the J. Good luck in your new life BK... The radio just won't sound the same without you.

- 12/3/2006 Happy Retirement to Dan McKee! -

EJ&E Security Officer Dan McKee will be retiring this month... Good luck in the future Dan, and thanks for helping to keep the railroad safe all those years.

- 7/23/2006 Visit Walt's Hobby & Model Shop! -

Due to some road construction in the area, Walt's Hobby & Model Shop, a mainstay in the area for decades, has had a bit of a slow down in business. Show your support for this local shop... They always have plenty of EJ&E & GM&O items in stock. They are located at: 2207 Plainfield Rd., Crest Hill, IL (Right next to Joliet) Phone: (815) 741-0043

- 3/3/2006 Happy Retirement to C. Collins! -

After 38 years on the railroad, Electrician/MoW Supervisor C. Collins is retiring. Congratulations Mr. Collins, and good luck with the start of your new life.

- 8/1/2005 Sutton Siding Open for Business -

A new 9000' siding has been installed on the Western Sub between Spaulding and Barrington. The siding has already been in use for about a month, and was created to help relieve new traffic, such as the CN bridge trains, and UP coal trains.

- 6/23/2005 Lake Zurich Shoe-Fly -

The new Rt. 22 bypass that's been planned has finally come to the Railroad. Track crews are building the shoe-fly track around the area where a new bridge for the road will cross under the EJE. A J ballast train is up there as well as numerous hi rail vehicles. The only public road to see it from is Genessee St., but there's a really neat view from Old Rand Road and the LZ Depot. Speed limit will be 10MPH throughout the duration of bridge construction, so there will be nice chances to catch trains at the Depot. Source: Adam R.

- 5/28/2005 The Ronald McDonald House Passenger Special Runs on the J -

On Saturday, May 28, 2005, there was a special passenger train run by the Ronald McDonald House charity organization, on the EJ&E. Consist for the train was: Amtrak P42 66, and private cars Skykomish River, Montana, Caritas, Pointe St. Charles, Puget Sound, Sierra Hotel, Little Juniata River, Warrior Ridge and Pennsylvania 120. The train left Chicago Union Station at about 7:45 AM. The train entered the J at Rondout, being lead by Amtrak Genesis #66. Once on the EJ&E, the train picked up its EJ&E escort power for the trip, which was #660 & #663. The train reversed to Waukegan, then started RR east again towards Joliet. The train stopped briefly in East Joliet Yard, then continued onto Gary. As it approached Stockton Jct., it ran briefly onto the Lakefront line, then backed up and stopped short of Kirk Yard Jct. The train then came down through Pine Jct., and minus its EJ&E power, entered the NS for its trip back to Chicago Union Station. Source: Mike Blaszak

- 1/15/2005 New Ohio Central Lease Power -

The EJ&E has leased three SD40-2 units from Ohio Central. The units all have the full OC Maroon and Yellow scheme. They were leased to help out with the Winter taconite trains, and general duties. The OC numbers are 4022, 4023 & 4025, and as of this date, those were the ID's they were sticking with. Look for the triple set to possibly work the BNSF taconite trains from Eola. It's unknown how long the units are expected to stay.

- 12/29/2004 New IRL Train Added -

A new train designated AXS-1 started operating on the Illinois River Line in October 04. AXS stands for Auxable Switcher. This is a train the runs in addition to the JSW-1/2 that still runs on the IRL. AXS-1 runs Mon-Fri, with a start time in Joliet of 7AM. The train leaves Joliet with about 30 cars, switches Auxable off the IRL, then returns to Joliet.

- 12/8/2004 Batavia Rd. Gets Gates -

This probably won't mean much to most people, but it does to me... The crossing at Batavia Rd. in Warrenville finally had gates installed today. I grew up near this road when it was just a sleepy crossing, with flashers only... And it stayed that way until today. But that's progress, and probably for the better anyway. Source: Rob

- 5/10/2004 Passenger Special -

The Chicago Railroad Superintendents Association ran a special train over the EJ&E on May 4th. The train started from Chicago Union Station that morning, then took the St. Charles Air Line to the CN/IC main, which then got them to the EJ&E at Matteson around 11:30 AM, where they picked up their J Pilot. It then went West on the EJ&E to Rondout, where it entered the CP/Metra line around 2:20 PM, and proceeded back to Union Station. The train consisted of: Amtrak Genesis #128, WSOR business car "James M. Gardner", WSOR sleeper-lounge "Notre Dame", Amtrak 53500, 54533, 54556, 54558 and CSX theater car "Georgia". Source: Mike Blaszak

- 2/1/2004 EJ&E Gons Derailed on NS -

On Sunday Feb 1, around 8:00 AM, an NS train had 23 EJ&E gons loaded with steel slabs derail in Corunna, IN on the former Water Level Line. The derailment started one car back from the power. The cause of the derailment was unknown. The slabs are reportedly salvageable, but at least 20 of the gons will be scrapped.

- 1/22/2004 Last Days for Old Joliet Locomotive Shops -

This is very sad news to report... It's been discovered that the old Locomotive Shop and attached Round House will probably be torn down within just days of this date. Supposedly, the Power House and Blacksmith Shop won't be far behind. The huge 3 story Locomotive Shop built in 1912, had been occupied for sometime by US Rail, a company that worked on passenger cars. Their E unit was often times parked out in front of the shop building. The ex BN units around the side of the building were also theirs, along with various passenger cars. The equipment has apparently been turned over to the EJ&E for them to dispose of as they see fit. The Locomotive Shop will then be left for the wrecking ball. The small attached Round House on the North end of the building, will also be torn down. This is NOT the main EJ&E Round House that's still in use. The buildings being torn down were sold by the RR in 1990. It had been reported for years that the old Locomotive Shop building had been in quite bad shape. There was a rumor floating around that someone was trying to turn it into a museum. Obviously they were unsuccessful. It's unknown how well documented the buildings have been over the years. Hopefully sufficient photos exist of the structures, since they will soon be the only evidence of what they once looked like. Note... Trespassing of any kind in an attempt to get photos of the buildings before they're gone will not be tolerated by the RR, and is not recommended.

- 10/29/2003 First Remote Units Arrive -

Remote controlled locomotives have finally arrived on the EJ&E... SW1200 #305 and #311 are the first units to be fitted with remote control equipment. At this time, most of the equipment has been installed in #311, and both units should be working in the Gary Works mills by the end of the year. First a study will have to be conducted in the mills to check the ability of the locos to receive signals from the controllers in the various areas of the mill they will work in.

- 9/30/2003 Plainfield Depot Reopens -

The old EJ&E Plainfield Depot has been restored and is ready for public viewing. It was moved from its original location on the West Sub main in 1999 by the Plainfield Historical Society, to a new location at Lockport St. and Van Dyke Rd. The depot is available for tours by appointment, and will also be open during certain city events. To make an appointment, call the Plainfield Historical Society at: 815 436 4073.

- 7/1/2003 EJ&E Cabeese Live On -

EJ&E cabeese have been getting repainted and restored during the month of May. So far, 531 and 539 have both been spotted in Joliet with brand new paint. The paint is a dark orange and includes a stenciled "The J" logo. The 539 in particular also has one of the old style EJ&E logos stenciled on it as well. Caboose 549 has recently been restored for the City of Whiting and will be displayed at their park on 119th St. A dedication for the caboose will be held at the Standard Diamond Baseball Complex in Whiting, on August 23rd at noon. For additional info, contact Whiting Hobbies at 1206 119th street, Whiting, Indiana 46394.

- 6/29/2003 DPU on the J -

Recently, all Plaines coal trains from the Union Pacific with 135 cars or more have been operating with distributed power units (DPU). EJ&E Engineers were trained for DPU at the Union Pacific's West Chicago training facility. This would mean many Plaines should now have a unit operating on the end of the train.

- 6/27/2003 New Lease Units -

Two new lease units are being tested on the railroad for about 30 days to see if they will be kept longer... GECX 5987 and GECX 5988. Both are ex Union Pacific SD-60s, and were originally CNW units. Both units continue to wear the UP scheme.

- 5/23/2003 Apollo Deal Off -

As part of a new labor contract between USS and the United Steel Workers of America, regarding USS's acquisition of the bankrupt National Steel... The original deal for Apollo Management of NY to purchase Minntac and the EJ&E Ry., among other assets, was canceled. For now, USS still owns the EJ&E, with Transtar operating them.

- 5/7/2003 Barrington Tower Closes -

On the morning of May 4th at 1:45AM, the UP signals were pulled down at Barrington Tower for the last time. The cables to the tower were then cut, and the first train ran through the newly configured interlocking at 9:15AM. The EJ&E will now control the plant from Joliet remotely. The tower has had very little responsibility over the years. The tower will probably remain standing for some time to come. The equipment of value will be donated to IRM.

- 5/31/2002 Power News -

SD38-2 #659 is in pieces at the Gary Shops right now, undergoing the dash 3 rebuild. It's due out in July. Switcher #305 is also in the shops undergoing a major overhaul, so it would appear that it's going to be around for sometime. Painting has been handled lately by the Wisconsin Southern's shops. It is presumed that 305 will get the proper dark green paint this time, and not the "lime green" color some other switchers received in the past. Ex DM&IR SDM #804 is sporting a fairly large American flag on its nose now as well.

In other power news, its been reported that many of the Gary Mill switch jobs that the J handles, may be going to remote control in the future. This would be a significant loss of jobs for the crews. This is still all in the beginning stages though. Negotiations are still ongoing over remote loco issues in general, with the unions. It apparently costs approximately $100, 000 per unit to equip them with a remote system. The USS Gary Works inner railroad (the C Line Express) already runs remotes on these jobs: No. 13, 1 for the Q-Bop, 1 for No. 1 Bop Shop, 1 for another High Line West of the No. 1 Bop Shop, 1 for the Skull Cracker at the North end of the mill, and 1 for Tube City. Source: Neal & Brian

- 5/6/2002 Ex Union RR/B&LE Units in Service -

The ex URR/B&LE, now EJ&E 672, has made its appearance out of the Kirk Yard shops. The ex URR/B&LE, now EJ&E 671, made its appearance about a month or two ago. Three more ex URR/B&LE units are on the storage track at the Kirk Yard pit. In other news, the EJ&E 660 blew its motor the other day... Seems it threw a couple of rods. It will take its place in line early for the Dash 3 upgrade now. It is also one of our engines equipped with the video camera. Source: Neal

An unknown company was out in Kirk Yard in November making detailed inspections of EJ&E gons in the West and D&R yard. This company will buy the gons and lease them to the EJ&E. It is unknown if the lettering will change to the new company for leasing.

Still the oil biz. is still slow for the EJ&E and Whiting. All the tank cars are still in storage in the West yard and recently more tank cars set out in Pine yard for room.

In Joliet, the yard is plugged with Equistar cars and no room for switching. There was some talk that the Relco engines in storage in Joliet might be moved on the Rock Island to Senica in order to free up some space for switching crews. Source: Brian

- 10/22/2001 Eco-Friendly Engines -

While the J SD38-2s slowly get rebuilt into the -3 standard, there's some unique equipment being added to them at the same time... Equipment that makes them easier on the environment, and in particular, the environmentally protected Romeoville Branch that services the Will County Power Plant. This line has special rules of operation to protect the wetlands it runs through. The line is nicknamed the "Bug Line" by J crews, because of a certain species of dragon fly that's protected in the area. Up until recently, the only engines that could pull trains on the line, were the specially equipped SD9s (Bug Engines) that had drip pans and other devices to help protect the area. As the SD38-2s get rebuilt into -3 standards, they will also get this equipment, allowing them to run on the Romeoville Branch as well. Neal explains..

"While the engines are in for dash 3 re-fit, they are being totally re-piped to become environmentally safe. So there will be a very minimal amount of any oil or grease droppings from them. BTW, they are also being totally re-wired and re piped for all the air lines. So basically you can say it's a frame up restoration, with the cost approximately $500,000. This will extend the life of these engines 20+ years or more."

Many of the old SD9s will eventually be leaving the EJ&E in trade for the five SD38-2s coming over from Union RR. Source: Neal

- 10/6/2001 "New" Power Coming to the J -

It appears the EJ&E is beefing up its roster of road locomotives. There are reports that Utah Railway SD40 units will be arriving any day now and will be kept on a lease. Utah numbers for these units were 9001, 9007 & 9011. The new lease unit marks will be MPEX and then numbered 750, 751 & 752 while working on EJ&E. These units were made available after Utah Ry. received its new MK5000Cs. The loaner SD40s are said to be turbo equipped, which is surprising since the EJ&E has never been big on turbos.

There is also a report that a total of 5 Union Railroad SD38-2s will be showing up before the end of the year. These units were originally on Bessemer & Lake Erie not too long ago, but came over to URR. With the steel slowdown, they apparently don't need them now. The URR will supposedly get J switcher #459 and some other yet to be announced switchers in trade. The original numbers for the SD38-2s while with Bessemer & Lake Erie were; 870, 872, 876, 879 & 890. The URR numbers given to them were; 50, 51, 52, 53 & 54. These 5 SD38-2s are the total that URR has now, so they would be left with none.

The J's SD38-3 rebuild is progressing along, though the #656 is still the only unit to be finished and in the new white stripe scheme. The 668 was recently painted in the white stripe scheme, but it was not rebuilt to -3 standards. Source: Neal

- 10/4/2001 Naperville Commuter Railway May Head North -

Suburban leaders will soon find out whether there's enough demand to create a commuter rail service between Waukegan to Naperville to the Indiana border.

In November, a consultant will have completed an 18-month study to shed light on how many people might use the commuter line and where future stations might be located along the rail line, which now runs freight service along the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway.

Last month, a task force of local leaders along the EJ&E met in Naperville and elected Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod and West Chicago Mayor Michael Fortner to co-chair the group's steering committee. In that role, the two will ingest the results of the study and debrief local officials on the findings in an attempt to gain support for the plan.

So far, there are five to six towns that have been identified as potential sites for stations, including West Chicago, Joliet, Chicago Heights and Hoffman Estates, at the 780-acre Prairie Stone Business Park in Hoffman Estates. The park is home to more than a dozen corporations and includes an extension of Northern Illinois University and the 2 million-square-foot headquarters for Sears, Roebuck and Co.

"I think a lot of it would be job-related," said McLeod, about the potential market for riders. "There are people who will travel two hours each day to get to work."

The single EJ&E railroad track currently takes freight trains in a 105-mile arc around Chicago, from Waukegan to Naperville to the Indiana border. The first phase of the study established that the current rail could handle commuter service. Officials are in the second phase, which includes 14 parts. The current part will also look at multiple land-use scenarios at each of the potential stations, allowing town leaders to decide what kinds of development should surround the stations. Source: Daily Herald by Kimbriell Granderson

- 4/24/2001 USX to Become U.S. Steel Again -

It's been announced by USX, that they will be doing more corporate reorganizing, and splitting off its steel business, and energy business, into two separate groups. USX Marathon Group will become Marathon Oil, and USX will become U.S. Steel again, like it was before changed in 1986. So technically, the J can now be called a "Steel Road" again. Source: USX Press Release

- 3/23/2001 Transtar, Inc. Becomes Wholly Owned Subsidiary of USX Corporation -

USX-U. S. Steel Group (NYSE: X) announced that, effective today, Transtar, Inc. has become a wholly owned subsidiary of USX Corporation, following completion of the Reorganization and Exchange Agreement announced October 4, 2000.

As a result of this transaction, Transtar's direct subsidiaries -- The Birmingham Southern Railroad Company; the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company; The Lake Terminal Railroad Company; the McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company; the Union Railroad Company; the Warrior & Gulf Navigation Company and its subsidiary, the Mobile River Terminal Company, Inc.; and Tracks, Traffic and Management Services, Inc. -- become part of USX Corporation.

Thomas W. Sterling, who was named president of Transtar, Inc. in August 2000, will continue in that position.

The other former Transtar subsidiaries -- the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company; the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company; The Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company; and USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc., and their subsidiaries -- will be owned by Great Lakes Transportation LLC, a newly formed affiliate of The Blackstone Group, a New York-based private investment bank. Source: USX Press Release

- 3/21/2001 Ex B&LE Units Now in Service -

The ex B&LE SD38-2s that recently came to the J, have been fixed up at the Gary Shops, and are now in service on the railroad. The unit that was numbered 877 on B&LE, is now the 670 on the J. The B&LE 658 will retain its number, since that was its original number from when it started on EJ&E to begin with. Both units are still in B&LE black and orange. Neal has already got some good shots of the #670, which you will find on the locomotive page of his photo section.

- 3/21/2001 Small Fire at West Chicago's Tower -

A small fire broke out in the tower at West Chicago this afternoon. It started in the lever machine and was caused by a cross protection relay. The relay opened and arced across the contacts, starting a small fire. The fire department was called, but it was kept under control. The problem was fixed soon after, and everything is now back to normal.

- 1/26/2001 "New" Power on the EJ&E -

It's reported that Bessemer & Lake Erie RR is sending over units 877 & 658 to the EJ&E. Both of these units are SD38-2's, and are still in B&LE colors, but they now have "EJ&E" stenciled on the sides. The 658 was originally on EJ&E, but it was sold to B&LE in 1986.

UPDATE: Apparently a new rebuild program has been started with the J's SD38-2's. The first unit (#656) was just completed, and is being painted right now. It was given new traction motors, and a new prime mover. It also has a computer now, and new electronics, which will bring it up to dash 3 standards. The railroad will reportedly rebuild 2 units a year this way, and they will then be designated SD38-3's. Source: Neal

- 1/19/2001 New Signal Equipment Cut-over Completed -

Signal maintainers were working late Friday night (19th), putting the finishing touches on all the new signal equipment being installed between Joliet and the new Turner Jct., on the Western Sub. Within this section of track, what was once called Coynes, will now be known as Turner Jct., and what was originally the old Rockdale Jct., will now be known as West Bridge Jct.
Turner Jct. is the start of the siding that goes East to Bridge 198. The West Bridge Jct. plant includes a set of crossovers that are midway between Turner and the bridge, and also the switch that goes back to the main just before the bridge. Over the past months, new signals and equipment have been installed along this section of track, along with the installation of a powered switch at the Romeoville Branch that goes to the Will County Generator. This means the section from Joliet to Turner Jct. is now technically CTC. Crews will no longer have to be bothered with aligning the Romeoville Branch switch properly.

While the signal department was still testing Friday night, #802 leading a coal train out of Will Co., was the first train through the new system after it had been cut-over. It was reported that the train no longer needed a warrant to move from the Romeoville Branch, as that is part of the new plant now. This might make it a little harder for people who like to chase the trains to Will Co., but there may still be hints of when trains are coming out to the branch.

Also being cut-over around the same time was the new "paperless train sheet" computer system for the control center. This system creates digital train sheet info based on real time reporting from track circuits, car & train control, and the crew caller. Input can come from the field, the Dispatcher, or even the Monroeville, PA offices. Most work in the field has been completed for this, and final testing and programming is now being done.

- 10/5/2000 EJ&E is a Steel Road Again! -

TRANSTAR REORGANIZATION: Transtar, Inc. (``Transtar'') announced today that it has entered into a Reorganization and Exchange Agreement with its two voting shareholders, Transtar Holdings, L.P. (``Holdings''), an affiliate of Blackstone Capital Partners L. P., and USX Corporation (``USX''). In this reorganization, Holdings would exchange all of its shares in Transtar for 100% of the ownership of four direct Transtar subsidiaries -- the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company; the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company; The Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company; and USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc., and their subsidiaries. As a result of this transaction, USX would become the sole owner of Transtar and its remaining direct subsidiaries -- the Birmingham Southern Railroad Company; the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company; The Lake Terminal Railroad Company; the McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company; the Mobile River Terminal Company, Inc.; the Union Railroad Company; the Warrior & Gulf Navigation Company; and Tracks Traffic and Management Services, Inc. and their subsidiaries. This reorganization will allow USX and Holdings to follow their independent strategies for the units they will own. No changes in service will occur as a result of this reorganization Consummation of the reorganization is subject to a number of conditions including approvals by the Surface Transportation Board and antitrust clearances. Source: Transtar, Inc.-Patrick Yough