ELEVATED RAILROAD GENERATING STATIONS

Electric generating stations which had been owned by the elevated railroad companies. Such generating stations generally were established during the 1890's, as electric traction was introduced. These generating stations were phased out in the early 1900's, as the elevated railroad companies transitioned to purchasing electricity from Commonwealth Edison, the area utility. Little evidence remains from these generating stations.

Electrification is at 600 volts DC third rail. Some segments formerly used overhead wire.

Included are certain technical specifications, available from issues of "The Street Railway Journal". Most stations received a few expansions, indicated for each station is the original electrical capacity and the capacity listed for 1899.

METROPOLITAN WEST SIDE ELEVATED RAILROAD
411 S. Loomis Ave.
In use 1895-1928
12 (later expanded) Babcock & Wilcox boilers
4 (expanded to 7) Allis vertical Corliss-type engines
4 (expanded to 7) General Electric generators
Total 4,600 kilowatts/expanded to 9,600 kilowatts

SOUTH SIDE ELEVATED RAILROAD
40th St. and State St.
In use 1898-1928
8 (expanded to 12) Babcock & Wilcox boilers
4 (expanded to 6) Allis horizontal cross compound engines
4 (expanded to 6) Westinghouse generators
Total 3,200 kilowatts/expanded to 6,400 kilowatts

NORTHWESTERN ELEVATED RAILROAD
1356 W. Fullerton Ave., 1/2 mile west of line.
In use 1900-1914
24 Babcock & Wilcox boilers
4 Allis cross compound Corliss-type engines
4 Siemens & Halske generators
Total 5,300 kilowatts

LAKE STREET ELEVATED RAILROAD
Western Ave. at Washington Blvd.
In use 1896-1902
20 (later expanded) Stirling boilers
3 (later expanded) Fraser & Chalmers Corliss-type engines
3 (later expanded) Siemens & Halske generators
Total 4,500 kilowatts/expanded to 8,000 kilowatts

Lake Street Elevated Railroad generating station actually was owned by West Chicago Street Railroad Co., and also served that company's streetcars. Both companies were controlled by Charles Tyson Yerkes.

In 1902, when the shared generating station of the Yerkes companies proved to be inadequate, the Lake Street Elevated Railroad constructed two substations and began purchasing its electricity from Commonwealth Edison.

Commonwealth Edison was formed by Samuel Insull, as Chicago's electric utility company. In 1911, Insull acquired control of all four elevated companies, which became the Chicago Rapid Transit Co.

In 1913, the three generating stations which had been owned by elevated railroads were leased to Commonwealth Edison. Commonwealth Edison subsequently phased those stations out, in favor of the newer larger central generating stations. Insull controlled Commonwealth Edison and the Chicago Rapid Transit Co. until 1932. The Chicago Rapid Transit Co. actually was a subsidiary of Commonwealth Edison from 1924 to 1938.

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