Passenger Trains > "Around Chicago Today..."

Some interesting late autumn skies over Chicago this afternoon attracted me trackside for some of today's long distance Amtrak departures. Somehow, after observing #5, I successfully made it up busy Western Avenue from the BNSF Chicago SD to Tower "A-2" on Metra's ex MILW main line in time to catch #7 there. Then, a crosstown trek back to the BNSF, via Fulton Market (Racine Ave), allowed a view of departing #3 just west of Halsted Street. In between, I managed to catch a couple other moves as well. Here's a sample for those interested...

Cheers,

aussiehinz


1. AMTK #5 accelerates west through the Western Avenue Metra station at 2:09 PM CST... December 5, 2012

2. AMTK "Hiawatha Service" Train #336 swings across the UP's (ex C&NW) 4 track Geneva SD at Western Avenue (Tower A-2) on the last leg of its Milwaukee-Chicago journey, 2:23 PM CST... December 5, 2012

3. A couple minutes later, and without's the sun's cooperation, AMTK #7 heads across the UP at "A-2" on its way north and west... 2:25 PM CST... December 5, 2012

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4. A Metra "Milwaukee West" service crosses Racine Ave at Milepost 1.5... 2:48 PM CST, December 5, 2012

5. Amtrak #3 glides west at Morgan Street... 3:05 PM CST, December 5, 2012

6. A view of Amtrak P42 #123 @ the Chicago Maintenance Facility, 3:18 PM CST, December 5, 2012



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/12 15:01 by aussiehinz.

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LOVE the storm lighting! And, as always, the old "Panhandle" signal at Racine Ave is a landmark location not to be missed.... thanks, MH!

Beautiful photos. It's interesting that for the most part New York's commuter lines are electrified, and for the most part Chicago's are not.

SpeederDriver Wrote:
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> Beautiful photos. It's interesting that for the
> most part New York's commuter lines are
> electrified, and for the most part Chicago's are
> not.

Eastern sections of Chicago are electrfied as is the line coming in from South Bend, but yes, I would agree. I would also point out that Chicago was built with multiple tracks in MANY areas and for longer distances than most commuter rail serving New York City. Most of the double, triple, quad etc. tracks still are maintained - thankfully. Chicago is less of a bottleneck than New York City, but NYC is also an island.......

What do you use for a camera? What mode do you use? The quality of your photos is phenomenal. I enjoy them very much :^)

Once again, great stuff. The Metra shot is awesome.

IC_2024 Wrote:
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> LOVE the storm lighting! And, as always, the old
> "Panhandle" signal at Racine Ave is a landmark
> location not to be missed.... thanks, MH!

It is gorgeous lighting but no storms today.

"Continental Paper Grading Company". Is this where
the University of Chicago grades term papers??

What engine is that I see In the picture of Engine 123?

sethamtrak Wrote:
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> What engine is that I see In the picture of Engine
> 123?

Looks like NS power that is probably switching the above mentioned Contiental Paper Grading Company.

Yes, that's precisely what it was. Ducked in there while I was photographing the 123.

Posted from iPhone

That explains why I sometimes see NS power on the eastern side of the yard. Thanks!

Posted from iPhone

Love those PRR signals, not many left these days.