Macomb and Western Illinois Railroad

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On October 26, 1901, the Macomb and Western Illinois Railroad was chartered. The railroad was built south along Johnson Street in Macomb, Illinois, to nearby Industry and Littleton by local financier Charles V. Chandler. It was open for service on January 1, 1904.

Mr. Chandler endeavored to form the Macomb and Western Illinois Railway to carry passengers to and from locations between Macomb and Littleton, to give farmers a way of transporting grain and livestock to Macomb, and to eventually connect Macomb with larger railroads.

The railroad encountered problems from the start. Many people were opposed to the expansion of C. V.'s business empire and of his influence as the town's leading Republican. Many who before had helped fund similar projects pulled out. The railroad's president and C. V. 's business partner sold his interest in the business within two years to Chandler. The local Illinois coal used by the railroad was found to have too much sulphur to be effective. The tracks were lightweight, and the train derailed on its maiden trip in 1904.

In 1910 the unlikely happened, C.V. Chandler went bankrupt and left town to live with his son in Indianapolis.

In 1913, the railroad was reorganized as the Macomb, Industry & Littleton Railroad. This railroad operated until a steam locomotive derailment about 7 miles (11.3 km) south of Macomb, over a ravine. This led to the downfall of the railroad at the beginning of the Great Depression and eventual abandonment in 1930. While the CB&Q is listed as the final owner, it is not believed the "Q" operated the line. Portions of the original roadbed, right-of-way and bridge approaches can still be found parallel (west side) to South Johnson Road, also known locally as the St. Francis blacktop (named for a former Catholic hosptial, which closed in 1970, in southwest Macomb).