Passenger Trains > Metra SD70s and some Amtrak

Well the trip to Chicago was a rousing success.  Despite the massive crowding all over the trains, station and downtown area due to the St. Patrick's day celebrations, the extra Metra trains really helped me out with my quest to get the SD70s in action..

1.  IL Zephyr arrives at Princeton to take us into the city.

2.  Immediately upon arrival I headed out the north concourse to find the '70s all over the place.

3.  I headed out to the north side of Union Station and got a nice shot at the Clinton St. crossing.

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4-5.  Outbound Hiawatha front and rear at Clinton St.

6.  Action on the upper level on the north side of Ogilvie Station.

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7.  I went back down to Union Station to take Metra out to Western Ave. and got these 2 units waiting to head out.

8.  At Western Ave., an equipment move from the coachyard  to downtown on the UP side.

9.  Inbound Metra at Western.

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10-12.  Empire Builder is just beginning its trip to Seattle.  I was out of position for this shot when I called Julie to find out that it had already departed.  So a panicked run down the stairs, through the tunnel and up to the center platform while I could hear the train's bell coming up to A-3 got me to the sunny side in time.  The train was going very slowly due to following an outbound Metra.

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13-14.  An equipment move from the coachyard gave me a nice "extra" with a pleasant surprise double header on it.

15.  Another equipment move on the UP side.

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16-17.  Outbound Hiawatha front and rear.

18.  Outbound Metra.

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19-20.  Another equipment move from the coachyard.  Single unit this time.

21.  Another outbound Metra.

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22.  Headed back downtown, here is a shot of the diamonds and slip switches where the UP west line crosses the Milwaukee.

23.  Neat signal bridge.

24.  Switch engine coming out of Ogilvie on the UP side.

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25.  A couple railfans were taking in the action at Canal St.

26.  Last shot, the train I rode in on.  

Thanks for looking!

Andy

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I would love it if AMTRAK would get a clue, and pursue the SD-70 engines like METRA has.  Get away from the CHARGERS--too many problems with the high rpm engine.

coach Wrote:
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> I would love it if AMTRAK would get a clue, and
> pursue the SD-70 engines like METRA has.  Get
> away from the CHARGERS--too many problems with the
> high rpm engine.

I'm not sure that's a good idea. I read here on Trainorders that Metra's SD70MACH's have trouble in the snow.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,5987821,5988063#msg-5988063

Super nice series Andy. Always appreciate Chicago scenes and those seventies sure look good.

Thanks for posting all these Andy! As you always do you came away with some very nice pics.  The number of trains you got for the price of a little bit of walking and a couple of tickets is great!

Jerry
ATSF5669

Great coverage of the action between CUS and Western Avenue. Good call on taking the Illinois Zephyr. The BNSF service was trashed almost from the start as “police activity” near Aurora delayed inbound trains and the planned morning schedule with extras folded like a cheap tent.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/25 09:28 by kevink.

kevink Wrote:
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> The BNSF service was trashed almost from
> the start as “police activity” near Aurora
> delayed inbound trains and the planned morning
> schedule with extras folded like a cheap tent.

We got it too.  We sat at the Aurora home signal for a half hour and ended up abt. 30 mins late at Union Station.  The outbound Carl Sandburg really got hit; we met them east of Aurora!

Andy

Great bunch with nice variety, always felt like a kid in a candy store when I took the train to CUS and wandered around with a camera...

JG

Great series in Chicago !
Always an exciting place.
Gary

A nice series - thanks. Glad you got the SD70s you were hoping for. I had commented earlier that I had ridden behind them a couple of times on the MILW-N line on weekends. I figured the Metra traffic would be heavy for the St. Pat's holiday weekend and all of the activities in the Loop, and therefore that chances would be good that they would be running and you'd get to see them. Glad it all worked out well for you.

MC

Those 70's are nice looking, great shooting all around!

Good stuff as always Andy
MILW86A