Big Four Railroad (CCC&StL)
(Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, & St. Louis Railroad)
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATES
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 20, 1889
Now that the Bee Line and the Big Four have consolidated, they are
hunting for a combination name. Shall it be Big Bee Line, Big Bee
Four, Bee Line Big, Big Line Beer Four, or Four Big Bee Lines? The
Telegraph favors Big Bee Line.
BIG FOUR RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 25, 1890
The Big Four Railroad has been a means of giving our citizens an
excellent train service, and in keeping with the past, they have
placed at the disposal of our people one of the handsomest trains
now on the road. The new train arrived here this morning, and made
its first trip to St. Louis this noon. The train consists of a
combination baggage and passenger coach No. 153, and a ladies coach
No. 372. Both coaches are finished up in orange color, with dark
trimmings and gold stripes. The inside of the coaches are
upholstered with old gold plush, with a ladies’ toilet room at one
end, and a gentlemen’s at the other.
From the ceiling of the ladies’ coach hangs four handsome
chandeliers with two lights each, and the inside decorations and
trimmings are in keeping with the elegance of coaches on that line.
The “Flyer” is now a fixture with our people, and the generous
manner in which the managers are disposed to deal with our people
cannot help but make it grow in popularity with the traveling
public. This train, in connection with the new and very handsome
“Hummer,” recently put on the Chicago & Alton, gives our citizens
all the facilities they need. The Chicago & Alton’s new train is a
beauty, gotten up especially for the run between Alton and St.
Louis.
BIG FOUR RAILROAD WILL BUILD STONE WALL
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 23, 1893
E. M. Neel, Superintendent of the Big Four Railroad, was in Alton
today and held a consultation with Agent Castle for a splendid new
project which has been maturing for some three months. The drift of
this conference was virtually this: The Big Four Railroad will build
a stone wall from the Union Depot to the foot of Henry Street. This
wall is to be of a substantial character. It will be perfectly
straight at the top, three feet in thickness, and at the bottom it
will vary from five to six feet. A smooth granite coping will adorn
the top of the wall, and an iron railing will surround the whole.
Front Street will be smoothed, and a granitoid sidewalk ten feet
wide will be laid on the south side of the street, next to the
railing. The council has already considered the paving of the
street, and it will be commenced immediately at the completion of
the wall. The north side of the street will be principally used by
switches of the Big Four Road, but this will not interfere with the
paving in the least. In fact, the street is to be made a plaza upon
which pedestrians can enjoy moonlight night’s with delightful
strolls along the riverfront. Mr. Neal stated that the Big Four took
a great deal of interest in Alton, and that the matter would be
placed in the hands of the Big Four authorities at once, for their
decision. In consideration, the city will give the Big Four the
vacant ground directly south of the wall for switch yards. This is
of use to no one, and presents an unsightly appearance from the
river. The plans have all been drawn, and will be presented to the
Big Four officials.
BIG FOUR BUILDS NEW BRIDGE OVER THE WOOD RIVER
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 7, 1893
The Big Four Railroad has commenced unloading of steel and iron
material at Milton bridge, for the building of a new and very fine
structure over the Wood River. A short time ago, the present bridge
over Wood River on the Big Four was completed. This structure will
be removed, and the new bridge, for which the material is now
arriving, will be a massive one, capable of sustaining the heaviest
mogul engines on the road. This would indicate that the Big Four
anticipated running its through trains over the Alton bridge. That
this will be an untold benefit to the city, no one will deny. Alton
will no longer be linked to the main line by a strip of road, but
will be an important point on its main line. The present bridge over
Wood River, although a fine structure, was built for engines under
50 tons, and orders to the effect that no heavier engines cross the
bridge are now in force. This accounts for building the new bridge.
BIG FOUR RAILROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 6, 1894
President M. E. Ingalls, assistant to the President C. E. Schaff and
Chief Engineer G. W. Kittredge of the Big Four system, paid Alton a
visit this morning, which augurs well for some substantial
improvements to the riverfront of the city. President Ingalls
arrived in his special car with a large party of Big Four officials,
who are on their way to St. Louis to attend the grand opening
tomorrow of the new Union Station. They stopped at Alton to
investigate the site of the proposed Front Street wall. Mayor
Brenholt was sent for, and in company with the officials inspected
the site. President Ingalls stated to Mayor Brenholt that his visit
to Alton was made in the interest of business. He hoped to establish
friendly trade relations here, get all the business he could out of
the city, and in return do all he could to extend Alton’s business.
He stated that he was quite willing to make improvements on Front
Street, but that the plans of the proposed wall, which had been
presented to them, were not quite satisfactory. The Big Four would
be walled in. Mr. Ingalls made several verbal propositions to build
a wall or terraces. If the Big Four is allowed to use Front Street
for a switch track, the road will at once build the wall or terrace
the south side of the street.
NEW BIG FOUR DEPOT
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 6, 1894
The new freight depot to be erected near the foot of Henry Street by
the Big Four Railroad will be a substantial structure, and will
greatly improve that vicinity. The Big Four will be given a great
deal more track room at the site of the old building. Agent Castle
will receive the plans of the new building the latter part of the
week.
It is very probable that in the near future the Burlington freight
depot may be located very near, or adjoining, the Big Four station.
This will not take place until all Burlington trains cross the Alton
bridge. Such an arrangement would be very convenient for the
exchange of eastern and western freight.
BIG FOUR FREIGHT DEPOT
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 20, 1894
The new Big Four freight depot at Henry Street will be a frame
building with slate roof, and sides protected with corrugated iron.
It will furnish ample room for storage of freight and carrying on
the road’s increasing business.