Chicago Assembly Plant

[peterk9]

Not that I'm anxious or anything waiting for my new Explorer, but has anyone ever Googled the birth place of our units? I just did and was blown away by the size of the plant. It seems to go on forever when you move up the street.
The address is 12600 S Torrence Ave. Chicago, Il. When moving up the street using Streetview, the end address shown is around 12894, it is well over a 1/3 of a mile just in length. The aerial view is also quite impressive.
Just a bit bored today, waiting, waiting, waiting......

https://www.google.ca/maps/@41.6624225,-87.5614224,701m/data=!3m1!1e3

 

[cybergasm]

Heck with Googling I have driven past that place a few times delivering/picking up loads in the area.

It is quite impressive in person tho too. Too bad it is hard to get pics when you are in a Semi Truck

FWIW The plant is located in the Area known as Chicago Heights

 

[baxterdown]

Do you guys know if there are plant tours available for the public?

 

[cybergasm]

hmm Kinda doubt it since that place has 20 ft fences and is locked down like a prison

but ya never know might wanna hit up the Ford Rep Guy here now ask him if they do or not

 

[SWEET ST]

Yes they and most assembly plants have guided tours that are awesome everyone should take one one day !!

 

[SeaFoam]

Ha, I didn't realize the plant was on the south side near Harvey... Makes sense with the rail yard. Just don't go west of the Ford

 

[uniquename]

Scrolled all over the sat images...still can't see my explorer....

 

[w1kedz]

Scrolled all over the sat images...still can't see my explorer....

lol

 

[yourstone]

So the plant has a rail head? I thought that there was only truck logistics at the plant.

 

[scottfmc]

Rail yard is just to the southeast.

 

[yourstone]

How far is the railyard from the assembly plant finished vehicle area? Can vehicles be moved under their own power directly from assembly to rail car loading?

 

[Gandalf]

If you follow I90 south for about 5 miles or so, it takes a sharp turn to the East. Right around there is a large rail yard, complete with turntable and roundhouse. Not sure if that is what was referred to though. Looks much too far for the vehicles to make it there by themselves. However, the sat image shows some tracks right by factory. Maybe they are loaded up there...

 

[SeaFoam]

I'm sure they load at the factory, there's a large semi/rail depot in Harvey as well.

 

[scottfmc]

The Ford rail yard is just diagonally southeast accross Torrance Ave. It is easy to see the rail cars there. In some pics you can see vehicles lined up to load.

 

[yourstone]

The Google earth image looks like it was taken during a plant shutdown. Or maybe just a weekend. There isnt anything going on.