By Toy Man Television
“In 1948 Chicago celebrated the 100th year of railroading in Chicago with a huge rail fair. Dozens of historic locomotives were on hand including the Pioneer. Chicago’s first locomotive.”
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From Wikipedia:
“The Chicago Railroad Fair was an event organized to celebrate and commemorate 100 years of railroad history west of Chicago. It was held in1948 and 1949 along the shore of Lake Michigan and is often referred to as ‘The last great railroad fair,’ with 39 railroad companies participating. The board of directors for the show was a veritable Who’s Who of railroad company executives.”
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Home movies.
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“This 1958 color film is from the ‘Wheels-A-Rolling’ musical presentation that was part of the 1948 and 1949 Chicago Railroad Fair, at which 39 railroad companies participated. This was the high water mark for the passenger railroads, and just before the nation’s airlines forced them to reconfigure their business model. The musical numbers showcase the life-size replicas of transportation and train development.”
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Guide books and photos.
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Tribune photo gallery.
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Comments welcome.
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1. From Andrew Foertsch:
I was either 5 or 6 and my parents took us. I remember most of the trains and liked the Santa Fe locomotive but the one that stuck out the most was the Burlington Zephyr. I was awestruck by its lines and always wanted to ride it. Alas, along with The Chicago North Shore line they were two unfulfilled wishes.
Posted on November 6, 2019