 In the end , the 1968 merger with the Chicago and North Western ( C & NW ) sealed the Winston Tunnel 's fate . The Great Western 's main line through northern Illinois closely paralleled the North Western 's own line , but through less densely populated and less commercially active areas . The steep grades of the line and the obvious financial burden of the Winston Tunnel also played a role in the decision to completely abandon the Great Western 's trackage in the area . The C & NW operated its last train through the tunnel in 1971 . Scrappers pulled up the tracks the following year . Upon abandonment , the C & NW placed chain @-@ link fences over each bore of the tunnel to keep squatters and other trespassers out . A 1973 attempt to turn the right @-@ of @-@ way through Jo Daviess County , including the Winston Tunnel , into a rail trail , failed when ownership of the land reverted to nearby property owners . 
 In the end , the 1968 merger with the Chicago and North Western ( C & NW ) sealed the Winston Tunnel <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>fate . The Great Western <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>main line through northern Illinois closely paralleled the North Western <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>own line , but through less densely populated and less commercially active areas . The steep grades of the line and the obvious financial burden of the Winston Tunnel also played a role in the decision to completely abandon the Great Western <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>trackage in the area . The C & NW operated its last train through the tunnel in 1971 . Scrappers<a href='been_done' title='5'><mark></mark></a> pulled up the tracks the following year . Upon abandonment , the C & NW placed chain @-@ link fences over each bore of the tunnel to keep squatters and other trespassers out . A 1973 attempt to turn the right @-@ of @-@ way through Jo Daviess County , including the Winston Tunnel , into a rail trail , failed when ownership of the land reverted to nearby property owners . 
In da end , tda1968 merger wid the Chicago and North Western ( C & NW ) sealed the Winston Tunnel  fate . The Great Western  main line through northern Illinois closely paralleled thdaorth Western  own line , but through less densely populated and less commercially active areas . The steep grades of the line and thedavious financial burden of the Winston Tunnel also played a role in the decision to completely abandon the daat Western  trackage in the area . The C & NW operated its last train through the tdael in 1971 . Scrappers done pulled up the trdas the following year . Upon abandonment , the C & NW placed chain @-@ link fences ova each bore of the tunnel to keep squatters and other trespassers out . A 1973 attempt to turn the right @-@ of @-@ way thru Jo Daviess County , including the Windan Tunnel , into a rail trail , failed when ownership of the landdaverted to nearby property owners .