Okay, here’s a rewritten version of the article about the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, using a more casual and engaging tone.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad: A Midwestern Legend
Ever heard of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad? If you’re a train buff, or even just a fan of American history, you probably have. This wasn’t just another railroad; it was a major player in the development of the Midwest and beyond. Officially, it’s often called the CBQ (reporting mark), but everyone else knew it as the "Burlington Route."
Where Did It Run? Everywhere, It Seemed!
The Burlington Route had a massive network that sprawled across Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and even down into Texas through its various subsidiaries like the Colorado and Southern Railway, Fort Worth and Denver Railway, and the Burlington-Rock Island Railroad. Think of it as a giant web connecting major hubs like Chicago, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver. Pretty impressive, right?
Humble Beginnings: The Aurora Branch Railroad
Like many great stories, the CBQ started small. Back in 1848, a bunch of folks in Aurora and Batavia, Illinois, got a little worried. They heard that the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad (the only rail line heading west from Chicago at the time) might skip their towns in favor of West Chicago. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands.
On October 2, 1848, they got the Illinois General Assembly to charter the Aurora Branch Railroad. This little line was meant to connect Aurora to Chicago, passing through up-and-coming towns like Naperville, Lisle, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, and Berwyn. It was a classic case of "if you want something done right, do it yourself!"
The First Train (Sort Of)
The Aurora Branch Railroad officially kicked off on February 12, 1849, in Aurora. They weren’t exactly rolling in cash, so they used secondhand strap iron spiked to wooden rails for the first 12 miles. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a start.
On September 2, 1850, history was made. The first train chugged along six miles from Batavia to Turner Junction (now West Chicago), then east to Chicago using the tracks of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. Here’s the funny part: they had to borrow the locomotive and cars from the Galena line because their own equipment hadn’t arrived yet! Still, the Aurora Branch became the second railroad to serve Chicago. Talk about resourcefulness!
Growing Up and Changing Names
The railroad kept evolving. In 1852, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad was established in Burlington, Iowa. Then, on June 22, 1852, the Aurora Branch Railroad changed its name to the Chicago and Aurora Railroad and got the green light to extend its line north of LaSalle to Mendota, completed on October 20, 1853.
Another change came on February 28, 1854, allowing the company to build east from Aurora to Chicago via Naperville. With this new direction, they rebranded themselves as the Chicago and Southwestern Railroad.
The "Granger Railroad": Partnering with Farmers
The CBQ wasn’t just about tracks and trains; they were savvy businesspeople. As early as 1854, they started working closely with farmers and ranchers. Farm and ranch products were essential to the railroad. They knew that the success of the railroad depended on the success of the agricultural community. They became known as the "Granger Railroad," advising farmers on what crops to grow, promoting better farming techniques, irrigation, and even soil conservation. They were like the agricultural consultants of the 19th century!
Building the Machine: Shops and Expansion
To keep their trains running, the Aurora Branch Railroad built early repair shops in Chicago. But the real deal was established in Aurora, Illinois, in 1855. These shops could handle everything: repairing and building locomotives, freight cars, and passenger cars. As the railroad expanded, they set up more shops, sometimes taking over facilities from smaller lines they acquired.
Operations really took off on New Year’s Day, 1856. That year, they finally settled on the name we know and love: the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. Soon, they reached Burlington, Iowa, and Quincy, Illinois, solidifying their identity.
Forbes Takes the Helm
In 1859, John Murray Forbes officially founded the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, merging several smaller railroads into a growing network. The road reached Ottumwa, Iowa, by September 1, 1859, but further expansion was paused because of the Civil War.
The Pony Express Connection
Here’s a cool little historical tidbit: In 1860, the Hannibal & St Joseph Railroad in Missouri played a crucial role in the Pony Express. They carried the mail to the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri, where the Pony Express riders would take over.
And, get this, the first railway post office was launched on July 28, 1862, using converted baggage cars on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. Talk about innovation!
Perkins and Financial Stability
After the Civil War, the Burlington Route exploded in growth, thanks to solid financial management. John Murray Forbes was the main guy in Boston, and Charles Elliott Perkins was his right-hand man. Perkins was a brilliant administrator who really whipped the loosely connected affiliates into a cohesive system. He basically tripled the size of the Burlington during his time as president.
Bridging the Mississippi
In 1868, the CBQ completed bridges over the Mississippi River at Burlington and Quincy, connecting with the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in Iowa and the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad in Missouri. These bridges were a big deal, opening up new opportunities for trade and expansion.
Westward Expansion to Denver
The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad kept pushing westward into Nebraska. It reached Lincoln in the summer of 1870 (the new capital of Nebraska) and Kearney by 1872. That same year, the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad across Iowa was absorbed by the CBQ.
The Nebraska, Burlington, & Missouri River Railroad was purchased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which completed the line to Denver by 1882.
The Great Strike of 1888
The CBQ wasn’t without its challenges. In 1888, they faced a major strike. What made this strike unique was that it was led by highly skilled engineers and firemen, not unskilled laborers. President Perkins was determined to break the union, even if it meant spending a fortune. The strike dragged on for ten months, financially hurting the railroad and putting it in a bad spot for the Panic of 1893.
Joining the Transcontinental Dream
Perkins knew that the Burlington needed to be part of a larger transcontinental system. While they reached Denver and Billings, Montana, they missed out on the chance to reach the Pacific Coast when land was cheaper. He ultimately decided that James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway was the best fit. Hill was willing to pay Perkins’ asking price of $200 a share for Burlington’s stock.
By 1899, the company had a massive fleet: 1,205 locomotives, 936 passenger cars, and 40,720 freight cars. That’s a lot of rolling stock!
Northern Securities and Empire Building
In 1901, E.H. Harriman of the Union Pacific tried to sneakily gain control of the Burlington by buying up stock in the Northern Pacific. Hill fought him off, but it led to the creation of the Northern Securities Company and, later, a Supreme Court case.
By the early 1900s, the shops at Aurora, Galesburg, Hannibal, St. Louis, West Burlington, Creston, Iowa, Denver, McCook, and Red Cloud Divisions kept the trains running smoothly.
Innovation and the Zephyrs
The Burlington Route was always keen on new technology. They used the first printing telegraph in 1910, were the first to use train radio in 1915, and were early adopters of centralized traffic control in 1927.
But their most famous achievement came in 1934 with the Pioneer Zephyr, America’s first diesel-powered streamlined passenger train. This train was a game-changer, leading to the diesel revolution that replaced steam locomotives after World War II.
On May 26, 1934, the Zephyr made a record-breaking, non-stop run from Denver to the World’s Fair in Chicago, covering 1,000 miles. The highest speed attained was 112.5 miles per hour, and the total fuel cost for the trip was $14.64!
Slogans and Expansion
With its extensive trackage, the Burlington Route used slogans like "Everywhere West," "Way of the Zephyrs," and "The Way West."
They bought their first freight diesels in 1944, and by 1953, 95% of their trains were dieselized.
In 1945, the Burlington created America’s first vista-dome passenger car. And in 1950, they introduced America’s first double-deck, stainless steel suburban equipment in Chicago.
Steam Excursions
From 1955, the CBQ hosted steam excursion trains for railfan clubs. Harry C. Murphy, a steam enthusiast, authorized more steam excursions in the late 1950s and early 1960s. During this time, 21 steam locomotives participated in the excursion program.
The End of an Era
By 1964, steam excursion operations were dwindling due to costs and a lack of mechanics. Despite public demand, the railroad’s final excursion train ran on July 17, 1966.
The Burlington Northern Merger
On March 2, 1970, the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad became part of the Burlington Northern Railroad, merging with the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific. The silver Zephyrs gave way to a mix of equipment from railroads across the country.
The new system merged with the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad in 1980, creating an even larger network.
So, there you have it – the story of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, a true legend of the American Midwest. It was a railroad that helped shape the region, embraced innovation, and left a lasting legacy.