Western Railroad Discussion > Bound for Chicago!

In a few hours I will be standing on the platform outside the Topeka Amtrak passenger station looking in the same direction as my photo from 6 years ago. It will be dark so that 6th St overpass will not be quite as prominent. I will watch as that hard-to-believe-it’s-still-there cantilever searchlight signal drops from clear to yellow to red. Then I will be staring into the bright tri-headlights of the eastbound Southwest Chief, also known as train #4.

I am bound for Chicago where I will spend a couple of days following my camera around under the expert tour guidance of TO member Mr “ironmtn”. I’ve been to & through Chicago numerous times in past years, but only once in a car. So I am eagerly looking forward to seeing some of the railfanning highlights of Chi-town, or at least as many as I can in 2 days. I will also be looking forward to a handful… er… umm a tummy-full of re-affirmations of the famous song lyric: “Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer…” There’s nothing quite like having a meal @ 90 MPH…

Needless to say I will be away from the computer for that length of time. I have promised to post TO threads for 3 or 4 fellow TO members. I’m working on a tribute to my late KS Gang partner & very good friend John Arbuckle. This also includes Mr Patrick Henry, who owns the 2 private passenger cars based at Kansas City Union Station and are named after his parents. Hang in there Patrick, I have Photoshopped 32 total images which will be split into 2 parts as soon as I can write them up. I’m hoping everyone will have a bit of patience while I have a blast gallivanting around Chicago...

1. BNSF scene looking nearly due south from the Amtrak passenger platform in Topeka, KS.
Photo date: July 18, 2011.

…out to go railfanning, back in a couple-three days…
Lance Garrels
santafe199



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 19:56 by santafe199.

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Have FUN Lance, sounds like a great trip!

Larry

Is the track that rough or is it telephoto effect?

Wouldn't count on being dark #4 shows 3hours 5 minutes late into Topeka

phthithu Wrote: > ... Really captures the feel of ...

Thank you, sir! After the news from Rich it looks my photo will represent what I'll be looking at instead of darkness. I guess it'll be lunch in the diner @ 90 per, rather than 2 scrambled w/ bacon & orange juice.

And to address the deceiving track condition: yes this was a fairly long telephoto shot...

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 20:18 by santafe199.

Hey -- have fun on the trains, and in Chi-town!
LOVE that cantilever and the searchlight signal!

Enjoy Chi-town my friend. I grew up back there when there were still 42 railroads serving the greater Chicago area. And yes, the Chicago area/Northern Indiana region has a myriad of locations for great photography. Looking forward to your results.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Lance, have a wonderful trip. Just came Westbound Tuesday.

Saw ya leave Lawrence, about 3 hours 40 minutes off the schedule. The three Iowa Pacific cars on the rear end were kind of a nice surprise. Sure would like to have been sitting in that dome car.

Get as many pictures of the cantilever there and at Eudora as you can as their time is very limited.

WichitaJct Wrote: > ... would like to have been sitting in that dome car...

As of 1212 I AM sitting in the dome* nursing a cold one.🍺 Oops, we just clipped an eastbound NS manifest @ Hardin...

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*the regular full length dome lounge, that is...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/17 10:23 by santafe199.

Will be sad when they finally get around to swapping out those beautiful signals. They've really become synonymous with that depot decor there in Topeka.

Woof! Here I am roaring thru Carrollton @ 1228, but it seems like we just crossed the Mighty Mo at Sibley. It sure does take a lot longer driving the rig. Hmmm...

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Crossing over main 2 to main 1 at Mendon at 12:49. First, of course, we had to clip one of Uncle Warren's EB hotshots a few miles back...

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Rolling thru northern Missouri farmland and into Marceline @ 1300 I'm watching a friendly British 4-some playing cards, with a frosty cold one in hand. Those of you not working (or driving a car) tip one back and join me by proxy!

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Over the Q at Bucklin @ 1305

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Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer update: Chicken quesadillas while crossing the mighty Mississippi River. Yum...

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Thru the shuffle W of Galesburg @ 1558... and into the station stop @ 1604

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