Metra is trying to find a home for the 16th Street tower's interlocking machine. To quote them:
"The 16th Street Interlocking Tower, a two-story, wooden-framed building, was built in 1901 by the New York Central Railroad. At the time of the tower’s construction, a Taylor Signal Company “All Electric” Model 2 Interlocking Machine was installed to manage rail movements from 16th to 18th Streets. This 128-lever pistol-gripped machine was noted at the time to be “one of the largest interlocking plants ever installed in the United States.” The machine, housed in a wooden console, measures 26 feet long. It was later expanded to 152 levers to accommodate additional tracks. An accompanying track diagram board hung from the ceiling above the interlocking machine depicting the various switch locations on each of the tracks. After removal from the tower and as depicted in the MOA, Metra is offering the 1901 internal machinery to eligible railroad and heritage-oriented museum entities who are capable to receive, preserve, and display the interlocking components.

Metra will evaluate interested eligible entities and make a selection based on the entity’s proposed disposition plan and location, financial capability to relocate the salvaged machinery, long-term fiscal viability, and ability to meet timelines. The preferred entity will work with Metra under the following conditions, per the MOA:
Metra will coordinate with the selected entity and develop an agreed upon work plan to retrieve and transport the machinery from Metra storage.
Within a period not to exceed six (6) months, the selected entity will complete the retrieval and transport of the salvaged machinery. Documentation memorializing the transfer of the salvaged equipment will be provided to SHPO.

Contact: Christopher Meyers
Senior Historic Preservation Specialist
P: 312-322-6988 | E: CHMeyers@METRARR.COM
547 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60661