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<p>In 1852, the Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi Air Line Railroad (CStC&MAL) planned to construct a line from Chicago, Illinois to Savanna, Illinois via St. Charles, Illinois. In 1853, CStC&MAL began construction on a three mile line from the west bank of the Chicago River to Western Avenue, following 16th Street. In addition, preliminary construction was made to Oak Park, where the line connected to the existing Galena & Chicago Union Railway (G&CU). The railroad would be acquired by G&CU in 1854, as the G&CU desired to eliminate competition. Construction west of Western Avenue would be ceased. Between 1855 and 1856, a segment of line along 16th Street between the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) line along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River was constructed by the IC. The CStC&MAL would be completed in 1856, and become known as the South Branch. The St. Charles Air Line would come under control of four companies that utilized it, including the IC, the Michigan Central Railroad, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the G&CU. The G&CU became part of the Chicago & North Western Railway in 1864. A second track would be constructed in 1879.<br></p><p>During the late 19th Century, the railroad quickly increased in use, as it provided railroads west of the Chicago River with a means of accessing the stations east of the river. In addition, the heavy railroad traffic made the grade crossings along the route hazardous. As a result, the City of Chicago passed a series of ordinances requiring the elevation of the tracks. This was accomplished by constructing retaining walls, and building underpasses at street crossings. The segment between Lake Michigan and the Chicago River would be elevated in 1899, followed by the portion west of the Chicago River in the early 20th Century. The line would serve as a significant connecting and terminal line, providing connections between the four railroads that operated it. After the consolidation of passenger operations in Chicago in 1971, the line lost importance. The IC would be merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad in 1972 to form Illinois Central Gulf (ICG). The railroad would again be reorganized as the Illinois Central Railroad in 1988. In 1995, the C&NW was purchased by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). In 1998, the IC became part of Canadian National Railway (CN). Today, UP operates the segment west of the Chicago River, while CN operates the segment east of the Chicago River. The line is now mainly used to access terminals and for some interchange traffic.<br></p>
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