CWP&S EMD SW8 No. 43 in 1981.
(© WWW.RAILCARDS.COM, Alameda, CA., Fair Use, Title 17, Section 107, via the W. Lenheim Collection)
CHICAGO, WEST PULLMAN AND SOUTHERN
Delving into the rich history of Chicago's railway past, we uncover the history of the Chicago, West Pullman and Southern Railroad. This line, a crucial part of the city's industrial landscape, played a significant role in connecting key manufacturing operations.
A Vision of Industrial Integration
The Chicago, West Pullman & Southern Railroad (CWP&S) originated from the forward-thinking vision of Cyrus McCormick in the 1880s. His goal was to establish an integrated manufacturing process for his International Harvester Company. To achieve this, McCormick gained control of a steel company, which evolved into Wisconsin Steel, strategically located on Chicago's South Side. The CWP&S was then constructed to facilitate the crucial transport of materials between the steel plant and McCormick's burgeoning operations.
EMD SW-8 No. 46 working a slag train at Chicago, IL on February 12, 1978.
(Photo courtesy Thomas J. Golden. © Mary Jayne's Railroad Specialties, Inc., Fair Use, Title 17, Section 107 via the W. Lenheim Collection)
Serving Industry, Facing Challenges
The CWP&S was primarily powered by EMD switchers and served the Wisconsin Steel Plant, though it was never directly owned by Wisconsin Steel itself. The railroad's operational life extended until 1983. A significant labor strike ultimately led to the permanent closure of the steel plant, and with it, the decline of the railroad's fortunes. Though management attempted to leverage the CWP&S name to operate other lines, the distinct identity of the railroad eventually faded.
Legacy and Present Day
Today, the former shops of the Chicago, West Pullman & Southern Railroad are utilized for locomotive repairs, though the railroad itself is gone. What remains of its right-of-way is now part of Chicago Rail Link, a testament to the ever-evolving nature of urban rail infrastructure. The CWP&S stands as an interesting case study for railroad historians, model train enthusiasts, and local residents interested in Chicago's railroad and industrial heritage.
