Oak Park, Ill., Aug. 11th , 1886
B. F. Booker, Esq.,
Engineer in Charge of Surveys-
Kansas City to Chicago.
Dear Sir:
Reporting to Section 3 of the Preliminary line from Ottawa to Chicago I would say that the
length of line as run from Plainfield to a junction with the Wisconsin Central in Section 18 of
Cicero Twp. Cook County = 1480+80. Dist. from junction to Wisconsin Central Depot = 464+24.
Total length Section 3 = 1945.04. Section #1 - Ottawa to Lisbon = 1089.91. Section #2 - Lisbon to
Plainfield = 899.30. Total distance- Ottawa to Chicago = 3934.25. Allow 15 Stations extra dist.
for proper location = 3949.25.
Commencing this line at Plainfield with Station O on the track of the Joliet Aurora and
Northern RR. (Controlled by the CB&Q) we ran 36 stations backwards to show location of station
grounds and the crossing of the DuPage River. It being my intention to locate my line through the
north side of the town of Plainfield rather than on the line through the south part of the town as
heretofore run and reported on.
Plainfield rendered about $8000.00 aid to the recently constructed J.A. & N. RR and it is
probable that they would aid this line at least $10000.00 or a sum equivalent to the right of way
through the place. There is nothing more to note until we reach the rolling country at Station 500 to
600 and from 900 to 1000 which shows up badly on the profile.
These valleys are not due to drainage but are sort of basins or depressions and with a little
curvature and a parallel tangent about a 1/4 mile north can be largely avoided. I did not like to
break the present line at these points as I had it laid direct for Hinsdale and could not tell what I
might strike ahead, even if I changed my course, so thought best not to deflect any on this course
and after finding just what I had to contend with to make the necessary revisions on my return.
These changes will favor crossing the main double track line of the C B & Q at Stough Station
where a good overhead crossing can be obtained and will also afford a chance to reduce the work
shown on present profile between Station 1050 and 1080.
Salt Creek and the Des Plaines River present no difficulties, though at the latter we may have
to put in a couple of light curves to obtain a reasonably square crossing.
The junction with the Wisconsin Central should be at least 3/4 miles east of our present junction.
This will throw the line across land which has all been subdivided and worth from $1000 to
$1500 per A. but which is yet entirely vacant. About 1500 ft. east of this intended connection the
yards of the Wisconsin Central commence. They own a tract of 148 A. and have sufficient room to
provide for the business of this line or if thought best independent yards can be provided at the junction.
East of the Wisconsin Central yards the value of land rapidly increases, being worth from
$5000.00 upwards per A. without improvements so it does not seem to me desirable to seek a
connection farther east than the one mentioned.
From Oak Park is land all suitable and desirable for suburban residence close to the railroads;
it is already well settled.
Where our line runs, it is largely subdivided but unoccupied as yet.
In the vicinity of Hinsdale the land is rolling and especially desirable for these purposes, thus
giving our proposed road a chance to share in suburban traffic.
Yours most respectfully
(Signed) Horace Ropes
Locating Engineer.
Volume 12 Splinters transcribed in altered form for the web by Matt Lee.
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