Short Lines
The Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company
by William E. Robertson
Planned as a north-south interurban connecting link in Northern Illinois,
the Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company was considered to be one of
the least successful interurban railroads ever built. A lack of funds
prevented the company from ever reaching its intended northern destination
at Woodstock, and the line never owned more than 27 miles of track.
Although constructed in typical electric interurban railway fashion, and
always considered to be part of the interurban industry, the Woodstock and
Sycamore never had the money to electrify its track. Author William E.
Robertson brings to life the story of a small and underfinanced railroad
attempting to overcome one adversity after another. He spent seven years
in researching this book including a substantial number of trips along the
old right-of-way.
Softbound with 56 pages, five route maps, more than 35 photos, in excess
of 15 other diagrams and illustrations and a cover illustration by Chuck
Boie.
ISBN 0-933449-00-3 ...............$10
Old Maud
The Story of the Palatine, Lake Zurich & Wauconda Railroad
by Richard Whitney
The Palatine, Lake Zurich & Wauconda Railroad, a small line whose nickname
for one of its engines, Old Maud, became synonymous with the railroad
itself, served the communities mentioned in its name, in what became the
suburban area northwest of Chicago. Originally conceived as a 75-mile
electric interurban line connecting Rockford, Elgin and Waukegan, the
long-planned road was initially built, became steam-powered, and spanned
only a fraction of its intended route.
This book covers from the railroad's conception in 1908 till the
dismantling in 1929. The railroad operated for a relatively short period
of time, and it faced financial hardships from the beginning. Those
associated with the PLZ&W hoped that the line would be incorporated into a
larger railroad, and the Samuel Insull group of companies twice considered
this possibility.
Hardbound with 184 pages, with more than 220 photos and illustrations.
ISBN 0-933449-14-3 ...............$52
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