Westchester branch
{{Short description|Rapid transit line in Chicago suburbs, 1926–1951}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name = Westchester branch
|image =
|image_width =
|caption =
|type = Rapid transit
|system = Chicago "L"
|status = Defunct
|locale = Forest Park, Illinois
Maywood, Illinois
Bellwood, Illinois
Westchester, Illinois
|start = Des Plaines
|end = Mannheim & 22nd
|stations = 9
|routes =
|daily_ridership =
|open = October 1, 1926
|close = December 9, 1951
|owner =
|operator = Chicago Transit Authority (1947–1951)
Chicago Rapid Transit Company (1926–1947)
|character =
|stock =
|linelength = {{convert|5.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}
|tracklength =
|tracks =
|gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg|allk=on}}
|minradius =
|electrification = Third rail, 600 V DC
|speed =
|elevation =
|map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road |from=Westchester branch.map}} Westchester branch highlighted in gray
|Show interactive map
|{{Westchester branch (CTA)|inline=1}}
|Show BSicon diagram map
}}
}}
The Westchester branch was a rapid transit line which was part of the Chicago "L" system from 1926 to 1951. The branch served the suburbs of Forest Park, Maywood, Bellwood, and Westchester, and consisted of nine stations. It opened on October 1, 1926, and closed on December 9, 1951.
Operations
The Westchester branch was {{convert|5.6|mi|km|abbr=on}} long, and originated from the Garfield Park Branch at the Des Plaines station in Forest Park, Illinois. Initially the line terminated at Roosevelt Road near Bellwood Avenue.{{cite map |publisher=Chicago Rapid Transit Company |title=Map of Chicago Rapid Transit Company |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/maps/route/maps/1926map.jpg |year=1926 |access-date=August 18, 2013}} On December 1, 1930, service was extended to Mannheim/22nd. Service on the Westchester branch ended on December 9, 1951,{{cite web| url=http://www.chicago-l.org/operations/lines/westchester.html| title=Westchester branch| website=Chicago "L".org| access-date=August 18, 2013}} and was replaced by the Westchester bus route (now Pace Route 317), which largely mirrored the route of the Westchester branch, though the bus route only extended as far south as Canterbury Street.{{cite map |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority |title=Chicago Transit Map |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/maps/route/maps/1954map.jpg |year=1954 |access-date=August 18, 2013}}
Station listing
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" align=center
|+ Westchester Maywood branch stations{{cite map |publisher=Chicago Rapid Transit Company |title=Chicago Map Showing Rapid Transit Lines |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/maps/route/maps/1933map.jpg |year=1933 |access-date=August 18, 2013}}{{cite map |publisher=Chicago Rapid Transit Company |title='L' Map of Chicago |url=http://www.chicago-l.org/maps/route/maps/1934map.jpg |year=1934 |access-date=August 18, 2013}} |
| scope="col" | Station
! scope="col" | Location |
|---|
| scope="row" | {{cta|Des Plaines}}
|711 S. Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park |
| scope="row" | {{cta|5th Avenue}}
|5th Avenue near Quincy Street, Maywood |
| scope="row" | 11th Avenue
|11th Avenue and South Maywood Drive, Maywood |
| scope="row" | 17th Avenue
|17th Avenue and South Maywood Drive, Maywood |
| scope="row" | {{cta|25th Avenue}}
|25th Avenue and Maywood Drive, Maywood |
| scope="row" | {{cta|Bellwood}}
|Bellwood Avenue near Madison Street, Bellwood |
| scope="row" | {{cta|Harrison|Westchester}}
|Harrison Street near Bellwood Avenue, Bellwood |
| scope="row" | {{cta|Roosevelt|Westchester}}
|Roosevelt Road near Bellwood Avenue, Westchester |
| scope="row" | {{cta|Canterbury}}
|Canterbury Street near Westchester Boulevard, Westchester |
| scope="row" | {{cta|Mannheim/22nd}}
|Mannheim Road and 22nd Street, Westchester |