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The Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad (CNS&M) is more commonly known as the North Shore
Line (NSL). Often referred to as "America's Fastest Interurban", its trains raced between Milwaukee and Chicago
at speeds approaching 90 mph.
The CNS&M began in 1895 as the Bluff City Electric Railway, a local streetcar line in Waukegan, IL. Soon the
owners changed the name to Chicago & Milwaukee Electric Railway (C&ME) and set their sights on connecting the
two name cities. A branch was also constructed to Mundelein.
Later, the name was changed to Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. It was better know as the North
Shore Line (NSL). It saw its greatest advancements as part of the Insull empire.
In 1926 they opened their Skokie Valley Route, which bypassed most of the shoreline communities. This high
speed line became the showcase of the system.
With the Great Lakes Naval Base and the Army's Fort Sheridan on the line, servicemen were always steady
customers. Through the years, especially during WWII they carried thousands of trainees to camp and to the cities
for "leave".
Their two sleek, modern Electroliners were the pride of the system, but their skilled shops kept the older cars in
shape to maintain the fast (80+mph) and frequent (hourly) service.
In addition to the interurban line, they also operated a local streetcar line in Milwaukee and several lines in
Waukegan.
Waukegan streetcar service ended in 1947. The Milwaukee streetcar service ended Aug 12, 1951. Interurban
service on the "Shoreline" ended July 24, 1955. All interurban service ended on a bitter cold Jan. 21, 1963.
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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
May 29, 1896 - Bluff City Electric Railway begins operations.
Sept. 1, 1907 - Begins local streetcar operations in Milwaukee.
Oct. 31, 1908 - Interurban service reaches Milwaukee.
July 26, 1916 - C&ME becomes Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee
(CNS&M) aka North Shore Line.
Aug. 6, 1919 - Direct service begins between Milwaukee and Chicago
"Loop".
Sept. 14, 1920 - New Milwaukee station opens.
1923 - Parlor/Observation service begins.
June 5, 1926 - New Skokie Valley route opens by passing shoreline
communities.
June 24, 1926 - Eucharistic Council in near Mundelein draws over 75,000
riders from Milwaukee, Waukegan and Chicago. North Shore Line operates
445 trains in one day using their equipment and Chicago "L" cars. Most
trains running 2 to 15 minutes apart.
May 1926 - Begin "Piggyback" freight operation.
April 23, 1932 - End of Parlor - Observation service. Cars rebuilt into
regular coaches, but lacking restrooms.
Feb. 1941 - Electroliners enter service. Most modern equipment at the time.
featured air-conditioning, and a Tavern-Lounge section.
1947 - End Waukegan city streetcar service.
April 30, 1947 - End of "Piggyback" service.
Aug. 12, 1951 - End of Milwaukee city streetcar service.
July 24, 1955 - End of Shoreline route.
Jan. 21, 1963 - End of all interurban service.
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One of the two
Electroliners rounds the
curve at North Chicago
Junction on a cold winter
day. The 'Liners were self
contained four-car
articulated trains, while the
older, single cars could be
combined in much longer
trains.
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A 5-car train of regular
cars heads south through
Illinois at 80 mph. While
the 'Liners were the pride
of the fleet, the older cars
held down most of the
runs.
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Double-truck car 357 from St. Louis Car Co.
heads south on 5th street and is about to enter
the yard at Harrison St. and enter
private-right-of-way to the end of the city car
line at Oklahoma Ave.
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Single-truck Birney 333 heads south on 6th
street approaching the viaduct.
Although the Birney's spent a short time in
Milwaukee, mostly during WWII, they earned
the nickname "Dinky" for the city streetcar line,
which lasted to the end of streetcar service.
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While the passenger service may have received the most
attention from fans, freight was also very important.
A fleet of steeplecab locos hauled on line freight as well as
interchange loads.
Behind the loco is a truck trailer on a flatcar. The NSL
pioneered the idea of "piggyback freight".
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Less than carload freight was hauled in the merchandise despatch
cars which could run alone or in mu, with as many cars as needed.
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Here are just a few examples of the hundreds of various
tickets used by the North Shore Line.
They needed tickets for travel between each station, as
well as different types for commuters, students, clergy
and service men.
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