Chicago Great Western Timetables (August, 1952)
Published: April 20, 2026
By: Adam Burns
The Chicago Great Western operated only modest passenger services and was attempting to shed even those by the 1950s. Included below is the railroad's public timetables from the August, 1952 edition of The Official Guide Of The Railways. Also included are the railroad's freight-only lines. Sadly, the C&NW was not kind to the CGW and many of its original structures no longer stand today. However, its legacy lives on in historical accounts of America’s railroad era.
Recent Articles
-
Railroads In The 1800s (1840s): History, Photos, Timeline
Sep 05, 26 11:29 AM
U.S. railroads 1840–1850—2,808 to 9,021 miles, T-rail and wooden ties, Pennsylvania Railroad charter 1846, 4-4-0 American type, Morse telegraph on the B&O. Facts and photos. Not the whole 19th century… -
New York Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 05, 26 11:24 AM
2026 New York Christmas trains—Arcade & Attica North Pole Express, Adirondack Christmas Train and Thendara Santa Train, Delaware & Ulster Santa’s Silver Sleigh. Polar is Medina, North Fork, Ut… -
Railroads In The 1820s/1830s: Firsts, Mileage & Founding Era
Sep 05, 26 10:54 AM
U.S. railroads 1820s–1830s—Granite Railway 1826, B&O common carrier, Stourbridge Lion, Tom Thumb, Best Friend, 2,808 miles by 1840. Firsts, facts, photos. -
Railroad History (USA): Timeline, Facts & How the Network Was Built
Sep 05, 26 12:50 AM
Full U.S. railroad history hub—origins and inventors, Golden Age peak mileage, Civil War and transcontinental, streamliners, ICC regulation, Penn Central and Conrail, Staggers Act, PSR, and today’s Cl… -
Grif Teller: Biography, PRR Calendar Art & Legacy
Sep 05, 26 12:39 AM
Griffith Harold “Grif” Teller (1899–1993)—Osborne Company artist who painted 27 of 33 Pennsylvania Railroad wall calendars, 1928–42 and 1947–58. Biography, titles, four paintings. -
O. Winston Link: Biography, N&W Night Photos & Sound Recordings
Sep 05, 26 12:21 AM
O. Winston Link (1914–2001)—Brooklyn engineer-photographer who documented Norfolk & Western’s last steam, 1955–60, at night, with sound. Hotshot Eastbound, LPs, Roanoke museum. Biography. -
Poughkeepsie Bridge: Railroad History, 1974 Fire & Walkway
Sep 05, 26 12:04 AM
Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge—first train Dec. 29, 1888, Maybrook freight gateway, May 8, 1974 fire, Walkway Over the Hudson Oct. 3, 2009. Not a New England landmark. Specs, photos. -
C&O/Chessie 18742: Huntington's Battery Shop Switcher
Sep 04, 26 11:20 PM
C&O/Chessie/CSX 18742: GE 1917 15-ton battery shop switcher at Huntington, W.Va. One locomotive, not a fleet. Newport News E-6, X-5000, Chessie paint. -
Central New England Railway: Map, Poughkeepsie Bridge Route & History
Sep 04, 26 10:43 PM
Central New England Railway—Connecticut Western, Hartford & Connecticut Western, Poughkeepsie Bridge, Reading’s PR&NE, New Haven control 1904, merger 1927. Map, 1891 timetable, what still runs. -
The Erie War (1868): Vanderbilt, Gould, Drew & Fisk
Sep 04, 26 10:26 PM
The Erie War of 1868—Cornelius Vanderbilt vs. Daniel Drew, Jay Gould, and Jim Fisk for the Erie Railway. Convertible bonds, Jersey City, Albany bribery, July 1868 settlement. Not Black Friday. -
New York & New England Railroad: Map, Ghost Train, History
Sep 04, 26 05:33 PM
New York & New England Railroad—Boston, Hartford & Erie, inland Boston–Hudson main, Beacon car float, White Train / Ghost Train, 1893 bankruptcy, New Haven lease 1898. Map and 1893 timetables. -
Railroad Glossary: Terms, Slang, Definitions & Meanings
Sep 04, 26 05:17 PM
American railroad glossary—highball, FRED, Class I, trackage rights, and operations slang—plus a directory of specialized glossaries and term articles on American-Rails.com. -
Indiana Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 04, 26 05:08 PM
2026 Indiana Christmas trains—Nickel Plate Express Reindeer Express in Noblesville (from Nov. 14). Whitewater Valley is not running due to severe flooding. -
Georgia Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 04, 26 02:26 PM
This article highlights those organizations offering Christmas-themed train rides in Georgia. -
Illinois Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 04, 26 02:14 PM
2026 Illinois Christmas trains—IRM Happy Holiday Railway in Union (Nov. 27–Dec. 21) and Fox River Santa’s Trolley Express in South Elgin. Polar is Monticello. -
4-8-4 "Northern" Steam Locomotives: History & Survivors
Sep 04, 26 01:54 PM
4-8-4 Northern history—Northern Pacific’s 1926 Class A, Super Power dual-service steam, railroad nicknames, surviving U.S. examples, and which Northerns still run in 2026. -
Railroad Stations & Depots: History, Architecture & Famous Terminals
Sep 04, 26 10:29 AM
American railroad stations—depot vs terminal, B&O’s 1830 Ellicott City, ~80,000 buildings at peak, Penn Station’s 1963 demolition, Grand Central saved. Directory of famous terminals on American-Ra… -
Colorado Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 04, 26 10:07 AM
2026 Colorado Christmas trains—Georgetown Loop Santa’s Rocky Mountain Adventure and Lighted Forest (Nov. 6–Dec. 24), Royal Gorge Santa Express (Nov. 19–Dec. 30). Polar is Durango and Golden. -
Railroads By State: History, Maps & Firsts
Sep 04, 26 09:53 AM
All 50 U.S. state railroad histories—firsts, 1916 peak of 254,037 miles, today’s ~140,000-mile freight network. Directory of state guides from Alabama to Wyoming. -
Logging Railroads In The USA: History, States & Last Lines
Sep 04, 26 09:25 AM
American logging railroads—private woods roads and tap lines, Shay/Climax/Heisler, last U.S. line (Simpson 2015), last in North America (Englewood 2017). State guides as they are written. -
Chicago, West Pullman & Southern Railroad: History & Diesel Roster
Sep 03, 26 11:46 PM
CWP&S, International Harvester’s South Side switching road between Wisconsin Steel and the West Pullman plants. Complete diesel roster, known steam, 1900–1996. Became Chicago Rail Link. -
Washington Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 03, 26 11:28 PM
2026 Washington Christmas trains—Mt. Rainier Christmas with the Clauses in Elbe (Nov. 21–Dec. 23), plus Snoqualmie Santa Train and Chelatchie Prairie tree trains. Polar is Chehalis. -
Utah Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 03, 26 11:26 PM
2026 Utah Christmas trains—Heber Valley Railroad North Pole Express in Heber City, Nov. 19–Dec. 30, ~90 minutes. Coach from $70 adult. Not Polar Express. -
Tennessee Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 03, 26 11:25 PM
2026 Tennessee Christmas trains—TVRM North Pole Limited in Chattanooga, TCRM Santa Express in Nashville, Three Rivers Rambler Christmas Lantern Express in Knoxville. Not Polar Express. -
Nevada Chirstmas Train Rides: A Complete Guide
Sep 03, 26 11:24 PM
Nevada is historically important as part of the western leg of the Transcontinental Railroad. Today, a handful of museums and heritage railroads can be found in the state and a few host Christmas-them… -
Railroad Museums In The USA (2026): State Guides & Collections
Sep 03, 26 10:25 PM
U.S. railroad museums—what they are vs tourist railroads, preservation history (R&LHS, NRHS, IRM, Steamtown), state guides, and destination collections. Confirm hours on each museum’s site. -
Narrow Gauge Railroads (USA): History, Mileage & Lines
Sep 03, 26 02:39 PM
American narrow-gauge railroads—3-foot fever, Hilton’s 11,699 miles in 1885, Denver & Rio Grande, Maine two-footers, survivors you can still ride. History and a growing company list. -
Railroads In The 1900s (1900–1910): Facts, Statistics, History
Sep 03, 26 10:05 AM
U.S. railroads 1900–1910—ICC miles 193,346 to 240,293, Elkins/Hepburn/Mann-Elkins, interurbans, 20th Century Limited, Penn Station, last transcontinentals. Facts and statistics. -
Michigan Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 03, 26 12:12 AM
2026 Michigan Christmas trains—SRI North Pole Express on Pere Marquette 1225 (Owosso), Coopersville Santa Train, Huckleberry Railroad Holiday Magic, Little River Christmas Express. Not Polar Express. -
Transcontinental Railroad: Maps, Facts, Completion
Sep 03, 26 12:12 AM
First transcontinental railroad—Pacific Railway Acts 1862/1864, Central Pacific and Union Pacific, Chinese labor, ten-mile day, Promontory Summit May 10, 1869. Maps, facts, Golden Spike National Histo… -
PRR B1 Electric Switchers: History, Specs & Roster
Sep 02, 26 11:41 PM
Pennsylvania Railroad class B1 electric switchers—Altoona/Juniata 0-6-0 (C) boxcabs, 1926–1935. BB1/BB2 pairs, 5684–5697 singles, LIRR B3 sisters, specs, complete roster. 5690 at Strasburg. -
Florida Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 02, 26 11:17 PM
2026 Florida Christmas trains—Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express in Parrish (Nov. 27–Dec. 22). No licensed Polar Express in Florida. Miami Polar is closed. -
North Carolina Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 02, 26 01:40 PM
2026 North Carolina Christmas trains—Tweetsie Christmas (Nov. 27–Dec. 30), Bonsal Santa Express, Aberdeen Carolina Christmas Train. Polar is Bryson City and Spencer. -
New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad: Map, Route & History
Sep 02, 26 01:30 PM
New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad—William Hardy, Erlanger capital, 196 miles Meridian–New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain trestle, Queen & Crescent Route. Southern 1916, AGS 1969, Norfolk Southern t… -
New Hampshire Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 02, 26 01:25 PM
2026 New Hampshire Christmas trains—Conway Scenic Santa’s Holiday Express (from Nov. 28, Coach $27/$21) and Lincoln Santa Express. Not Polar Express. -
Minnesota Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 02, 26 12:18 PM
2026 Minnesota Christmas trains—Duluth Christmas City Express, Friends of the 261 North Pole Express (Dec. 4–13), Minneapolis Holly Trolley. Not Polar Express. -
Railroad Diamonds: At-Grade Track Crossings, Frogs & Interlockings
Sep 02, 26 12:00 PM
Railroad diamonds—four frogs where two tracks cross at grade. Rigid, movable-point, and flange-bearing designs, interlocking protection, and why MOW crews hate them. -
California Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 02, 26 11:58 AM
2026 California Christmas trains—Napa Santa Train, Campo North Pole Limited, Niles Canyon Train of Lights, Roaring Camp, Skunk Train, Portola. Polar stays on the Polar hub. -
Civil War Railroads: North vs South, USMRR, Maps & Facts
Sep 02, 26 10:32 AM
Civil War railroadsā€”1860 mileage, gauges, USMRR, Haupt and McCallum, First Manassas, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Andrews Raid, B&O. Maps and facts. -
Milwaukee Road EP-3 "Quills": History, Specs & Roster
Sep 01, 26 11:49 PM
Milwaukee Road class EP-3 Quills—ten Baldwin–Westinghouse 2-C-1+1-C-2 passenger electrics, 1919. Quill drive, Mountain Division Olympian, frame failures, complete roster, all scrapped by 1957. -
Milwaukee Road's Boxcab Electrics (EP-1/EF-1): History, Specs, Classes
Sep 01, 26 11:20 PM
Milwaukee Road Alco/GE boxcabs—42 pairs, 1915–16, 3,000 V DC. EP-1 and EF-1 through EF-5 and ES-3. Specs, classes, June 1974, E50 Duluth and E57B Harlowton. -
Milwaukee Road's Vendome Loop: Horseshoe, Grades & Pipestone Approach
Sep 01, 26 07:28 PM
Milwaukee Road's Vendome Loop—horseshoe between Vendome and Cedric, Montana, on the 2% east slope of Pipestone Pass. ICC valuation, McIntosh Bros., 1908 track. Not the tunnel. -
Connecticut Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 01, 26 02:31 PM
2026 Connecticut Christmas trains—Essex Steam Train North Pole Express (Nov. 20–Dec. 23, Coach from $60), plus Danbury, Naugatuck, Shore Line Trolley. -
Texas Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 01, 26 02:21 PM
2026 Texas Christmas trains—Grapevine Santa’s North Pole Express (Nov. 27–Dec. 30). -
Ohio Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 01, 26 12:47 PM
Learn more about Christmas train rides in the state of Ohio, home to Ohio is home to some of the top heritage railroads in the country. -
Pennsylvania Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Sep 01, 26 10:05 AM
2026 Pennsylvania Christmas trains—Strasburg Santa’s Paradise Express, New Hope Santa trains, Colebrookdale, and more. Not Polar Express. -
Mt. Rainier Christmas with the Clauses (2026): Elbe Dates & Tips
Sep 01, 26 09:55 AM
2026 Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Christmas with the Clauses in Elbe—Nov. 21–Dec. 23, ~75 minutes. Tickets Sept. 1. Christmas train, not Polar Express. -
Tweetsie Christmas (2026): Blowing Rock Dates, Tickets & Tips
Sep 01, 26 09:44 AM
2026 Tweetsie Christmas in Blowing Rock—select evenings Nov. 27–Dec. 30. Steam train, lights, Santa. $65/$45. Christmas event, not Polar Express. -
TVRM North Pole Limited (2026): Chattanooga Dates, Tickets & Tips
Sep 01, 26 12:23 AM
2026 Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum North Pole Limited—Nov. 13–Dec. 23, ~75 minutes from Grand Junction. Christmas train, not Polar Express. From $38. -
Milwaukee Road "Little Joes" (EF-4 / EP-4): History, Specs & Roster
Sep 01, 26 12:15 AM
Milwaukee Road Little Joes—12 GE 2-D+D-2 electrics from a cancelled Soviet order. EF-4 freight, EP-4 passenger. Specs, roster, June 1974 shutdown, E70 at Deer Lodge.
