The author was able to put names to faces thanks to friendships maintained over the years with former North Shore employees. TOP LEFT: Motorman Howard Odinius looks back for hand sig- nals at North Chicago Junction. TOP RIGHT: Conductor Howard R. Renner welcomed passen- gers aboard for the final time at North Chicago Junction.
ABOVE LEFT: Collector John
Horachek speaks with Maury Klebolt of Illini Railroad Club on the last Electroliner run to Mil- waukee. ABOVE RIGHT: Switchman Steve Homzcak working at Edison Court, in Waukegan. LEFT: This poster’s rallying cry of “Our Fight is Not Over!” rang hollow after the final trains rolled to a stop on January 21, 1963.
have been invited, the committee felt the reunion belongs to employees and should not turn into a railfan event, so it decided the 50th would be the last. The reunion committee also keeps track of company history. It compiled an inclusive list of 9,723 employees (the railroad averaged 675 during its last year of operation). About 59 are living, mostly in their 80s or 90s, and many find it difficult to get out or travel.
The North Shore photographs I made
50 years ago have become a cherished preservation venture. But the amazing story is of the railroad family spirit that has kept the North Shore memory, his- tory, and pride alive for half a century after the line itself called it quits.
John Gruber is founder and director of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art, based in Madison, Wis.
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