Sat
29
Aug '09
Railroading in Chicagoland and Illinois features a lot of commuter rail activity. Some of the commuter trains have limited schedules. Other trains feature enhanced schedule frequency, weekend service, and mid-day service. Some of the commuter trains for METRA(Regional agency)
run only as often as AMTRAK regional service down to Carbondale. WA1NYC and I spent time along the Race-track of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. This line runs west to some of the richer suburbs of Chicagoland. Service is available through out the day. We shot numerous pictures of modern METRA equipment and some of the old units. There are new passenger cars and new engines. We spent much of the time in Hinsdale, which is very nice. The trains to Aurora run on
run only as often as AMTRAK regional service down to Carbondale. WA1NYC and I spent time along the Race-track of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. This line runs west to some of the richer suburbs of Chicagoland. Service is available through out the day. We shot numerous pictures of modern METRA equipment and some of the old units. There are new passenger cars and new engines. We spent much of the time in Hinsdale, which is very nice. The trains to Aurora run onThey also have a very nice bicycle shop in Hinsdale, but every bicycle seems to priced above $2,000. The serious bicycles seem to be priced at $4,000 and above. I would hesitate to even buy accessories. However, it is nice to look at the bikes.
We also spent some time at Roosevelt Road in Chicago. This is south of the loop which is just about the epicenter of Chicagoland. People often say they are going towards the loop. On the BNSF line to Aurora the express trains often run in the middle track. The westbounds often run in the northern track. Eastbounds, which are heading towards the loop, run in the south track. There are many stations along this line. Most of these stations have large amounts of available parking in dedicated commuter parking lots and private lots. The BNSF line has a high frequency of service, but many of these trains only stop at particular stations. The stops on consecutive train runs are offset in order to cycle train boardings at all of the stations throughout the day. WA1NYC and I shot METRA trains at two of the three main stations in the village of Hinsdale.
One of our favorite spots is located along the eastern side of the village. The railroad comes through a fill to the station. 
We often loiter around the single lane bridge, which crosses the tracks near the station. This is near the hospital. It provides great shots for the westbounds during the afternoons. It is difficult to photograph eastbounds during the afternoon. This bridge has a sidewalk which is really located on the wrong side for afternoon shooting. There has been talk over the past ten years in regards to replacing this bridge. It actually has a high vehicular volume and creates a north/south traffic blockage during hospital shift changes and rush hours.
We often loiter around the single lane bridge, which crosses the tracks near the station. This is near the hospital. It provides great shots for the westbounds during the afternoons. It is difficult to photograph eastbounds during the afternoon. This bridge has a sidewalk which is really located on the wrong side for afternoon shooting. There has been talk over the past ten years in regards to replacing this bridge. It actually has a high vehicular volume and creates a north/south traffic blockage during hospital shift changes and rush hours.It used to be a different style of living in the area adjacent to Roosevelt Road south of the loop in Chicago.. Now, it is very interesting. People actually ride their bicycles around there area and walk to Whole Foods. Printer Row is a deluxe set of town houses south of Roosevelt Road. At least the trains are still there. From Roosevelt Road you can see the yard throat to Union Station. You can also see Sears Tower. This is one of the best settings for commuter railroading. This is definitely a midafternoon shooting location. Some shots would work in the morning. This site generally favors the late afternoon for the most of the best shots. 
The Union station is used for all of the Amtrak trains. It is also used for the METRA commuter trains. Check out of the Metra website at http://www.metrarail.com/. The system map is at this link of http://metrarail.com/System_map/index.html. Many trains use Union Station. However, a number use the station to the east. You can walk along the street and see the yard throat to LaSalle Street. You would have to take other streets to the north in order to view trains originating from the Oglivie Transportation Center. The UP Northwest Line originates from the Transportation Center. The Rock Island Line uses track adjacent to the original New York Central right of way to access the LaSalle Street Station. You can walk to the end of Roosevelt and catch Metra Electric trains along with the South Shore line! I have included a picture of one older train set on the Metra Electric below. New sets have been online for approximately 3 years. Additional sets have been ordered. These shall replace all of the older sets in the next five years. #402 in the above picture is one of the new METRA engines, which have been service for approximately five years. The MBTA shall probably be receiving a package very similar to these engines. This would be the successor to the MBTA GP40MC-2 line.
The Union station is used for all of the Amtrak trains. It is also used for the METRA commuter trains. Check out of the Metra website at http://www.metrarail.com/. The system map is at this link of http://metrarail.com/System_map/index.html. Many trains use Union Station. However, a number use the station to the east. You can walk along the street and see the yard throat to LaSalle Street. You would have to take other streets to the north in order to view trains originating from the Oglivie Transportation Center. The UP Northwest Line originates from the Transportation Center. The Rock Island Line uses track adjacent to the original New York Central right of way to access the LaSalle Street Station. You can walk to the end of Roosevelt and catch Metra Electric trains along with the South Shore line! I have included a picture of one older train set on the Metra Electric below. New sets have been online for approximately 3 years. Additional sets have been ordered. These shall replace all of the older sets in the next five years. #402 in the above picture is one of the new METRA engines, which have been service for approximately five years. The MBTA shall probably be receiving a package very similar to these engines. This would be the successor to the MBTA GP40MC-2 line.
The above picture was taken in Homewood along the eastern side of the right of way. The Village of Homewood has worked with CN railroad, whose tracks are in the foreground, to eliminate overheard cable in this area in order to improve photography of the CN trains. It just happens to help in taking shots of the Metra Electric by the station and looking towards Homewood Tower.
N1EY
rains had occurred past Frontier yard. Some places always seem in a state of perpetual maintenance as seemly only on problematic section is replaced every year. East of Rochester in the junction town of Lyons I always seem to find construction work.
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