Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: ADM mill being demolished

« on: February 14, 2021, 09:41:17 PM »

I came across this switching job quite a few times on my bike commute home.  One video of it (not my video):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGtQr9CuiyE

One question someone might be able to answer.  On a couple rare occasions, the NS switching engine would be parked on the ADM tracks, engine off, cab empty.  I suppose the crew could have been picked up there, just not sure why that might be.

2

General Discussion / Re: Introduce Yourself!

« on: February 10, 2021, 11:51:34 PM »

Hi everyone, my name is Rob, I've been a longtime reader of this board but haven't posted until now.  I've always had a curiosity about the random train lines snaking through the city and found this site one day.  I've learned a lot here!

While I grew up in the suburbs, my grandmother lived on the far north side, and I was always a bit obsessed with the Cragin line running through Chicago and Lincolnwood (I think).  In the 90's, it was very rare to see a train on the weekends when we would be in the city, but it happened once or twice.  I recall they were always the randomest of engines and train sets, at least to my youthful mind.

I believe a forum member here has posted a lengthy video of Cragin line action, which was fascinating to watch.

As an adult, I've been a bike commuter in the city, heading from Lincoln Park/Lake View to the Illinois Medical District area.  Goose Island has always been a logical route for me, so I've watched the ebb and flow of the Chicago Terminal over the past years.  I'll never forget the day in which I biked to work with everything "normal" on the line - empty, no action.  When I came home, there were tanker cars parked all over the line.  Quite a surprise!  I was lucky to also catch the removal of the tankers at the North Ave. crossing.

I don't have pictures or anything to add, but just wanted to share my appreciation for this board as a learning tool and historical resource, especially as switching lines slowly disappear.  I'll chime in as I can moving forward!