About shore line
The Shore Line Interurban Historical Society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation that is focused on rail passenger services in the Chicago area and nearby states. We are an organization with approximately
1,800 members at the current time. Shore Line is exempt from income taxes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Thus, contributions made to Shore Line, including a portion of premium membership categories, are deductible for income tax purposes to the full extent of the law. Our publications are acclaimed to be the premier magazines in their field.
Our strategic objective is summarized in two words: Education and Cooperation. Through Shore Line’s publications and cooperation with other historical organizations and museums, our goal is to educate,
spread interest in and increase public knowledge of rail passenger services. Our coverage includes streetcar, light rail, rapid transit, suburban, interurban and intercity rail.
Our publications primarily explore rail passenger services, yesterday, today and tomorrow, in Illinois, Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin. Shore Line has two publications First & Fastest, a high-quality quarterly that members receive as a benefit of their membership. In addition, approximately annually, we publish a special purpose magazine on a single topic known as our Dispatch series. These publications are available for sale.
Members look forward to First & Fastest's delivery and many say it is now the only rail publication that they receive. It typically includes feature articles of a historical nature, general interest articles and current news items and has become "the record" for current events occurring in our coverage area.
Our areas of interest include:
1,800 members at the current time. Shore Line is exempt from income taxes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Thus, contributions made to Shore Line, including a portion of premium membership categories, are deductible for income tax purposes to the full extent of the law. Our publications are acclaimed to be the premier magazines in their field.
Our strategic objective is summarized in two words: Education and Cooperation. Through Shore Line’s publications and cooperation with other historical organizations and museums, our goal is to educate,
spread interest in and increase public knowledge of rail passenger services. Our coverage includes streetcar, light rail, rapid transit, suburban, interurban and intercity rail.
Our publications primarily explore rail passenger services, yesterday, today and tomorrow, in Illinois, Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin. Shore Line has two publications First & Fastest, a high-quality quarterly that members receive as a benefit of their membership. In addition, approximately annually, we publish a special purpose magazine on a single topic known as our Dispatch series. These publications are available for sale.
Members look forward to First & Fastest's delivery and many say it is now the only rail publication that they receive. It typically includes feature articles of a historical nature, general interest articles and current news items and has become "the record" for current events occurring in our coverage area.
Our areas of interest include:
- Metra and the predecessor operations of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul & Pacific, Chicago & North Western, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, Illinois Central and other smaller suburban railroad operations.
- Chicago Transit Authority and its predecessors including the Chicago Rapid Transit Company and Chicago Surface Lines.
- Interurban railways such as the Chicago Aurora & Elgin, Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee, Chicago South Shore & South Bend, now operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, Illinois Terminal, Indiana Railroad, and the Milwaukee Electric.
- Smaller railroads such as the Aurora, Elgin & Fox River Electric, Chicago & West Towns Railway, Wisconsin Power & Light and other smaller lines in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
- Railway museums in the area such as Illinois Railway Museum, Fox River Trolley Museum and the East Troy Electric Railway.