A half-century on the rails: Chicago’s south suburban transit district turns 50

Jim McCabe has distinct, but unpleasant, memories of a bygone era of commuting by rail from the south suburbs into Chicago.

The old 1920s-era Illinois Central trains — with their wicker bench seats, smoking cars and open windows during warm weather — could make for a sweaty and smelly trip into or out of the city, said McCabe, who spent several years working for the IC…Please click here for Mike Nolan’s story in the Tribune/Daily Southtown.