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.[1] It opened on October 1, 1926, and closed on December 9, 1951.[2]

Westchester branch
Overview
StatusDefunct
LocaleForest Park, Illinois
Maywood, Illinois
Bellwood, Illinois
Westchester, Illinois
Termini
Stations9
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemChicago "L"
Operator(s)Chicago Transit Authority (1947–1951)
Chicago Rapid Transit Company (1926–1947)
History
OpenedOctober 1, 1926
ClosedDecember 9, 1951
Technical
Line length5.6 mi (9.0 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail, 600 V DC
Route map
Map Westchester branch highlighted in gray
1st Ave.
5th Ave.
5th Avenue
9th Ave.
11th Avenue
11th Ave.
17th Avenue
17th Ave.
Maywood
Bellwood
25th Avenue
25th Ave.
Bellwood Junction
Bellwood Ave.
Bellwood
Harrison
Harrison St.
Bellwood
Westchester
Roosevelt
Canterbury
Canterbury St.
Mannheim/22nd

Operations

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The Westchester branch was 5.6 mi (9.0 km) 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.[3] On December 1, 1930, service was extended to Mannheim/22nd. Service on the Westchester branch ended on December 9, 1951,[2] 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.[4]

Station listing

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Westchester Maywood branch stations[5][1][3]
Station Location
Des Plaines 711 S. Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park
5th Avenue 5th Avenue near Quincy Street, Maywood
11th Avenue 11th Avenue and South Maywood Drive, Maywood
17th Avenue 17th Avenue and South Maywood Drive, Maywood
25th Avenue 25th Avenue and Maywood Drive, Maywood
Bellwood Bellwood Avenue near Madison Street, Bellwood
Harrison Harrison Street near Bellwood Avenue, Bellwood
Roosevelt Roosevelt Road near Bellwood Avenue, Westchester
Canterbury Canterbury Street near Westchester Boulevard, Westchester
Mannheim/22nd Mannheim Road and 22nd Street, Westchester

References

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  1. ^ a b 'L' Map of Chicago (Map). Chicago Rapid Transit Company. 1934. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Westchester branch". Chicago "L".org. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Map of Chicago Rapid Transit Company (Map). Chicago Rapid Transit Company. 1926. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  4. ^ Chicago Transit Map (Map). Chicago Transit Authority. 1954. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  5. ^ Chicago Map Showing Rapid Transit Lines (Map). Chicago Rapid Transit Company. 1933. Retrieved August 18, 2013.