Passenger Trains > "Some Fun Stuff Around 'MH' This Week..."

The last few days have seen some interesting trains being offered up here at "MH" Tower and surrounds. Everything from Metra Shop Moves to Amtrak "Heritage" power, and some visiting PV's, too. Here, in no particular order, are a few highlights for those interested in some fresh Chicago passenger doings...

Cheers,

aussiehinz


1. A Metra "Hospital" Train brings a couple bi-levels of varying pedigree over to the BNSF/Metra shop from the ex RI ("Rocket House") facility at 47th Street. The train has already backed down the St. Charles Air Line visible to the rear and is now headed around the wye toward the south. It will then reverse again to back toward the BNSF 14th Street bi level repair yard (see next)... 11-12-12

2. Now on the final pass, one of Metra's true relics, ex MILW switcher #3, backs the train north toward the BNSF/Metra shop at 14th Street... 11-12-12

3. At Halsted Street, Amtrak Train #390, the "Saluki" from Carbondale, comes off the St. Charles Air Line and prepares to back the 1.7 miles to Chicago Union Station... 11-12-12



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/12 20:02 by aussiehinz.

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4. This afternoon, "Heritage" P42 #156 put in an appearance at "MH" while turning a Chicago-St. Louis "Lincoln Service" equipment set. I caught it awaiting a BNSF to NS ethanol train blocking its path for a few minutes... 11-16-12

5. After the ethanol train cleared, the 156 brought the train around the south leg of the wye during the turning maneuver... 11-16-12

6. Shortly thereafter, today's "Texas Eagle," Train #21, gets a roll on passing Amtrak's Chicago Maintenance Facility. The train will shortly cross the South Branch of the Chicago River and make a right turn onto CN's Joliet District (ex GM&O) to head for St. Louis... 11-16-12



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/12 20:05 by aussiehinz.

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7. South of Mc Cormick Place, Amtrak 's inbound "Saluki" hustles north along the former IC main line, passing Metra Electric's 47th Street station... 11-16-12

8. Train #4, the "Southwest Chief," towed two ex Santa Fe PV's past "MH" this afternoon as it arrived from Los Angeles ahead of schedule. Kind thanks to "KCCharlie" and "Sneebly" for the helpful info regarding the movement of these cars... 11-16-12

9. Today's #3, the westbound "Southwest Chief," bursts out from under Canal Street on time, at 3:03 PM CST. As winter approaches, Chicago's diminishing "window of sunlight" means #3 is one of the last trains reliably illuminated at "MH"... 11-16-12



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 14:39 by aussiehinz.

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Why is one of the IC electric tracks missing and since when?

It's not; there are four electric mains, 2 visible to the right, & 2 on the left. Note the distant catenary structures spanning all 4 tracks. The 47th Street platform I'm on straddles the 2 inside (local) mains. To the far left are the 2 non electrified (CN) mains, of which northbound Amtrak #390 is on the east track.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 14:40 by aussiehinz.

I know you are correct but it looks like an optical illusion with the overhead in one place and the trackage in the other! (and also the lack of the 47th St. station in the pic!)

Thanks anyway!