I'm not certain if a USGS map would help. Maptech supposedly has on-line older versions. www.maptech.com If you could track down a former RI employee, named Bob Lawler, perhaps he could help. He was an operator there. I believe he went dispatching at BN after shutdown. Is probably long retired by now. Whereabouts unknown.... Boxcab E50
This link will lead you to MSN liveview of Bureau: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...=0&phscl=1&cid=30B418398414F8AF!116&encType=1 The main line was double track on a 40mph (Psgr&Frt) curve, junction switch for Peoria main track was just east of depot along with a crossover. Bureau was open 24/7 as operator ran the CTC machine from MP 115.5(?) to MP 103 located about two miles west of CB&Q crossing at Peru. All trains to Peoria got orders at Bureau. Hard to remember those tenths of a mile after 30+ years, my reference material is not available at the present. Bureau also had a 125 or so car westward siding on north side of curve and at one time probably had an eastward siding too. At one time Bureau had a small enginehouse just west of depot inside the wye. The Bureau/Depeu switch started at Bureau when I came around in '66 but was moved to Depue not too long after. From '66-'76 normal operations were two psgr train each way (until day Rocket pulled off). Two thru freights each way, one to/from Blue Island and one to/from Silvis. Until track got real slow all these trains were timetable operation. Passenger were first class and the four freights second class. Mon thru Fri there was a Peoria-Bureau turn which ran extra in the day time, it seldom ventured east of Henry. There was also a Joliet-Bureau turn Mon-Fri. Any cars the turns had or the Bureau/Depue switch engine had were set to the Branch Yard located on south side of Peoria main between depot and wye switch. The yard had two tracks IIRC.
