Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad

  $450

Here is a very rare brass Chicago & Eastern Illinois Union Brass Works 1877 to 1880´s era Switch Lock from the original C&EI Railroad Line that extended South from Chicago down to Terre Haute, Indiana.

The Chicago, Danville and Vincennes Railroad operated from Chicago to Danville. The Evansville, Terre Haute and Chicago Railroad operated from Danville to Terre Haute. In 1877, the CD&V then became the C&EI Railway. In 1880 the ETH&CRR became part of the C&EI and by 1911, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois had then taken over the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad (previously the Evansville & Crawfordsville), which completed it´s extension to Evansville, terminating with its connection with the Louisville & Nashville on the Northside at what was once called Wansford Yard and Shops. This lock has only very light usage, wonderful patina, good strong spring on the dust cover, works wonderfully, and has a forged chain. The C&EIRR marking stand out very well, along with the Union Brass Works manufacturing hallmark. Also the back of the shackle or hasp is marked #21. This lock has been in a private collection for several years and is just now being offered. As a geographical note, the C&EI in Indiana on the Evansville Branch served Wansford, Fort Branch, Princeton, Patoka, Hazleton, Decker, Vincennes, Oaktown, Carlisle, Sullivan, Shelburn, Terre Haute, Clinton, Hillsdale, and Cayuga then and into the terminal at Danville. The C&EI also had a St. Louis to Chicago division, which severed the towns of Salem, East St. Louis, Pana, Sullivan, Tuscola, Glover, Hustle, Watseka, Momence, Dolton, and Chicago Heights, along with Joppa Illinois. The railroad also operated the famous Dixie Flyer, Dixie Flagler, and Hummingbird passenger trains. The C&EI was officially merged into the Missouri Pacific Railroad in the 1970´s; and the Evansville Division was taken over by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.