Special Publications

Shore Line's special publications are its Dispatch Series and the annual calendar, both of which were introduced in 2006.

Dispatch Series

Publications in the Dispatch Series are topics that are too large for an article, but not necessarily large enough to be a book. Dispatch Series publications will appear at irregular intervals; however, our intention is to issue one annually if resources are available to Shore Line.

The first publication in the Dispatch Series is Cooperation Moves the Public, the story of the integrated operations of the Chicago Aurora & Elgin and the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and later the Chicago Transit Authority over the Garfield Park Branch of Chicago's rapid transit system until September 19, 1953. Trains were operated seconds apart "on sight" as there were no signals and no radios. This was a very complex operation, best described as cars of wood operated by men of steel pursuant to a book of rules that included a rule stating that no collision with another train will be excused.

Cooperation Moves the Public has received superior member acceptance and excellent reviews. It is available from Shore Line at $27.95 postpaid, $19.95 for Shore Line members. For more information about Cooperation Moves the Public, please download an order form.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Shore Line plans to release its next Dispatch Series publication on the railroads of Evanston and Wilmette.

Calendar

The 2007 Shore Line calendar features the Chicago Aurora & Elgin, selected because July 3, 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of its suspension of passenger service. This calendar features fourteen photographs, seven in color and seven in sepia reproduction, dating from circa 1905 to 1957. This is the first time that these fourteen photographs have been published.

This calendar was published as a result of the generosity of Julie Ann Johnson and American Slide Chart Corporation, who donated the printing together with the cooperation of the DuPage County Historical Museum, Richard Humiston, Don MacBean and Art Peterson.

Copies of the calendar are available at $10 each postpaid from Shore Line. To order, send $10 per calendar with your name and mailing address to Shore Line, P.O. Box 425, Lake Forest, IL 60045-0425.