From a PRR timetable of September 1, 1929:
"No Drawbridge Interference
CHICAGO
If either Jackson Boulevard or Adams Street Bridge is open, or traffic stopped, within five minutes prior to scheduled leaving time of any Pennsylvania Through train from Union Station, the train will be held a sufficient length of time after traffic again begins to move over the bridge to avoid possibility of patrons missing their trains due to such interference."
Apparently there was either a potential or actual loss of patronage from travelers having business in the Loop who would not have to worry about crossing the Chicago River if they used the NYC or B&O, and very likely there were instances when somebody missed the Broadway when he would not have missed the Century. The Alton might have been in a similar position vis-à-vis the Wabash and IC for St. Louis business, as might the CB&Q vis-à-vis the AT&SF and CRI&P on Kansas City traffic. Anybody know whether those railroads had similar provisions during that period? By the 1930's the PRR had dropped mention of this provision from its timetables, I suppose reflecting greatly reduced river traffic by that time.
"No Drawbridge Interference
CHICAGO
If either Jackson Boulevard or Adams Street Bridge is open, or traffic stopped, within five minutes prior to scheduled leaving time of any Pennsylvania Through train from Union Station, the train will be held a sufficient length of time after traffic again begins to move over the bridge to avoid possibility of patrons missing their trains due to such interference."
Apparently there was either a potential or actual loss of patronage from travelers having business in the Loop who would not have to worry about crossing the Chicago River if they used the NYC or B&O, and very likely there were instances when somebody missed the Broadway when he would not have missed the Century. The Alton might have been in a similar position vis-à-vis the Wabash and IC for St. Louis business, as might the CB&Q vis-à-vis the AT&SF and CRI&P on Kansas City traffic. Anybody know whether those railroads had similar provisions during that period? By the 1930's the PRR had dropped mention of this provision from its timetables, I suppose reflecting greatly reduced river traffic by that time.
