Near Union in McHenry County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Railroad Rails

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2010

1. Railroad Rails Marker

Inscription.
The first rails for horse-drawn tramways and gravity-powered railroads were simple wooden stringers. Later, wrought-iron straps on top of the wood stringers, and then cast iron rails, gave greater durability. The predecessor of the modern "T"-section rails first appeared on the Camden & Amboy in 1830, about the same time as the John Bull and other early U.S. steam locomotives.

Rail is designated by its weight per yard. At the start of the 1900's, heavy main line roads used 100-pound rail, while industries and shortlines had rail as light as 40 pounds. The most common size in service on heavy main lines today is 136 pounds, though sections as large as 152 pounds were once used on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Rail may be laid in 39 foot lengths, or in welded "ribbons" thousands of feet long.

Erected by Illinois Railway Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 42° 13.713′ N, 88° 31.632′ W. Marker is near Union, Illinois, in McHenry County. Marker is on the west wall of Barn 3, on the grounds of the Illinois Railway Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7000 Olson Road, Union IL 60180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Railroad Standard Time (here, next to this marker); Chicago Railways Company Date Stone (a few steps from this marker); Simplex Type Automatic Coupler (a few steps from this marker); Couplers (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Brakes / Westinghouse Automatic Air Brakes (a few steps from this marker); Early Railroad Signals (a few steps from this marker); Indiana Harbor Belt 1181 (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago and North Western 9933 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.

Also see . . .
1. Railroad Rails article in The Ohio State Engineer. (Submitted on December 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Railroad Rails. (Submitted on December 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Photos of Railroad Rails. (Submitted on December 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2010

2. Railroad Rails Marker

Marker to right, next to small open door.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.