The Last Interurban: A day on the Iowa Traction

[@chicagolandrailroader]

What a unique and obscure railroad. Thank you for uploading this!

[@farmboycg]

Don’t forget the South Shore Line between South Bend and Chicago-the only the passenger service is electric. The freight is diesel.

[@brownpcsuncedu]

Wow. I knew what a flying switch was (6:20 and following), but I'd never seen anybody do that for real. I guess maybe they've kept a couple of 1920's operating practices to go with those 1920's locomotives 😀.

[@thehawkeyerailfan9406]

I've only seen a true flying switch like that on a handful of occasions, but that was so much cooler. The choreographed movements between the conductor on the ground and the motorman in the engine are so cool to see, especially how the trolley pole is pulled down and reversed while the engine is in motion. The extremely fast acceleration of these electrics certainly helps in a switching move like that. It really is a lost art.

[@mattnawn5019]

Beautifully filmed! Thanks for a sharing. My son and I visited IATR a few weeks ago and it was a great experience

[@thehawkeyerailfan9406]

Glad you enjoyed it! IATR truly is one of a kind.

[@wesw9586]

Very cool! I live just a few blocks from the old Illinois Traction building but the electric locos were gone long before my time.

[@Hopen111YT]

Nice! I should try seeing the IATR soon!

[@albertcarello619]

This brings back memories of freight train operations on the Chicago Aurora and Elgin.

[@thehawkeyerailfan9406]

The CA&E was a really cool railroad. It's a shame it wasn't saved.

[@albertcarello619]

@@thehawkeyerailfan9406 I sure wish it was saved. No transit funding agencies back in 1959 or the 1960s. If it had survived it would probably be very much like the IOWA TERMINAL RAILROAD today. The freight operations being virtually identical to IOWA TERMINAL.

[@centraliowarailproductions2810]

Nice catches!

[@LanternSignals]

Subscribed

[@tylerbrobston4265]

Sweet!