Topics

16

General Discussion / Bloomingdale Line Article in Today's Paper

« on: August 11, 2013, 08:46:38 AM »

Hello all,
I just received my Sunday Chicago Tribune paper and was leafing through the sections when something caught my eye. In today's "A&E" (Arts & Entertainment) section, there is a lengthy front page article on the abandoned Bloomingdale Line (Trail)! If you don't get the Tribune delivered, i'd definitely recommend picking up a copy of today's (8-11-2013) paper, or checking out the online version here:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-09/entertainment/ct-ae-0811-borrelli-20130809_1_bloomingdale-trail-chicagoans-share-art-installation

Enjoy!
--TribuneFreightFanatic

17

General Discussion / Unknown Factory w/ Spur??

« on: July 29, 2013, 01:12:12 AM »

Hello all,
I was recently doing some "Google Maps" panning over Goose Island and the surrounding area when I stumbled upon an interesting site. I was wondering if anyone knew of the former factory that is now a large abandoned lot used to park excess taxis. It is located between Elston & Division, and Elston & Chestnut, right by the Metra/ UPY overpass. What also caught my eye was that it appeared to have been served by rail at one point in time! At the other end of the abandoned lot is where the Prairie Cement plant is.. (In between the two factories is where Ogden av. terminates before the river). I have attached two photos--one before, and one after the demolition.  Using the Google Timeline, it was torn down between 2004-2005. Any ideas on what this industry used to be? Thanks.

18

General Discussion / New Engine Spotted at North Ave. Yard

« on: October 15, 2012, 07:20:34 PM »

 Hello all,
I spent most of the morning following the North Ave. UP crew's usual actions. However, I noticed something was different. Was it the increase in CP Rail cars? No. That's been that way. The weather? Nah--usual Chi-town fall weather. Then it dawned on me: THE ENGINE! Yes, its the same good old GP-15 model we're all used to, but it wasn't the old rusty #547 engine. There is a new engine in the yard: UPY712 was seen doing the switch job today. Not sure if it is a permanent swap between the engines, or just a temporary usage. It was pretty nice to see the clean, new geep though-- a sign of progress in the seemingly dwindiling yard. I have attached a photo of UPY712 on this page.   

19

General Discussion / "Carroll Ave." Featured in Recent Article in Skyline..

« on: June 29, 2012, 12:37:18 AM »

Picked up a copy of the Skyline newspaper today--and what should be on the front page but part of an article on Carroll Ave!! Thought of this website instantly. Here's a link to the online version of the artice: http://www.skylinenewspaper.com/News/06-27-2012/Beneath_the_surface
Enjoy!
                                                 -TribuneFreightFanatic

20

General Discussion / Interesting Aerials..

« on: May 12, 2012, 11:29:30 AM »

Hey Guys,
     I'm sure we've all tried to look at the satellite images of our favorite railroad routes through Google Maps. Well, next time,  click on over to Bing's Satelite maps! They have this cool "Bird's Eye" view of things that allows you to see the yards at an interesting angle. Also, their satellite maps havent been updated for a while, so some of the former switching lines are still intact! (ex: There is a parked hopper car at the Blommer Spur!)
Here is a screen-clipping I caught of the Trib-Yard switching in action! (It has to be pre-2007, because all of the spurs are still there in the yard)
                                                                          Hope this helps with your railfanning adventures.
                                                                                                                                          --TribuneFreightFanatic 

21

General Discussion / Freight Update

« on: February 19, 2012, 04:47:47 PM »

Hey guys!
I took a trip to Goose Island and the Freedom Center, and found some interesting stuff:
At Big Bay Lumber, there were TWO parked boxcars in the middle of the road.
Also, there were 10 parked newsprint cars in the Trib. yard today.. they dont usually leave them over the weekends.
Didnt have time to check Blommer or Finkl. But-- I did take some photos of the other sites!
check 'em out here: www.flickr.com/photos/uspslabelfan

22

General Discussion / 1940's Freight Trains on the Chicago & Northwestern System Video!

« on: February 05, 2012, 12:33:55 PM »

Found this film on youtube.. there may not be a lot of stuff about the northside of Chicago, but it's still a pretty cool source of information from the past.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPzpi_fEJEo
Hope you enjoy!

23

General Discussion / Great Rare Shot of Navy Pier Gondolas!

« on: November 06, 2011, 09:04:32 PM »

So I was rummaging through a Flickr set (thanks to the link provided in the previous topic started by Haggar  ) and found this pic of interest...another rare pic from the Navy Pier line days!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uicdigital/6144407365/in/photostream/