Topics

16

General Discussion / Blommer lower level stagnant

« on: December 31, 2015, 03:33:14 PM »

Haven't seen a hopper for many months, perhaps even a year. Also, the same tank car (UTLX 664377) has been on the spur next to the building for a very long time. It was, at one time, spotted over by the former Navy Pier spur but ended up back in its original spot next to the building.

Joe

17

General Discussion / CNW Carroll Ave. bridge lowered!

« on: November 19, 2015, 01:03:27 PM »

Happened to catch said bridge in the down position with UP crews doing some work at 10 a.m. Welder was working on the northwest side of bridge at the joint. Got some decent phone pics but too large to post here. Will try to upload to flickr when I get a chance.

Joe

18

General Discussion / New track at ADM mill

« on: July 01, 2015, 01:20:02 AM »

For the last week the spur to the ADM mill off of Ogden has been completely replaced. Also looks like some tracks in the small yard as well. It was in really bad shape comprised of an assortment of spare rails; different rail weights and ages going as far back as 1913? if I remember correctly. Will Try to post pics. They haven't had a delivery the whole time which adds up to approx. 70 to 90 loads. Saw the track being ripped up and was glad to see it was replacement and not permanent removal.  Mill is switched every night usually 10 to 12 cars. Time varies from 7 to midnight.  Predominantly switched by NS but have seen old green BN, BNSF, CP, and CN as well.

Joe

19

General Discussion / Carroll Ave. 1954

« on: January 03, 2015, 01:57:28 PM »

Just found one of the best old pics of Carroll Avenue pics. It's taken from the Clark Street Bridge in 1954.

http://themanonfive.com/image/106861354405

This site has lots of great vintage Chicago pics.  Further down on the current home page there are pics of Navy Pier entrance with visible trackage.

Joe

20

General Discussion / Allied Metals being razed

« on: September 13, 2014, 11:55:23 PM »

Allied Metals on Canal St. just north of Cermak is in the process of being demolished. Happened to be at Lawrence's Fisheries for lunch maybe five or six years ago and was lucky enough to catch a switch move.  Had a really basic cell phone back then so I never got pics.

Joe

21

General Discussion / CP now switching ADM mill

« on: July 29, 2014, 04:41:45 PM »

About six weeks ago I witnessed CN switching the ADM mill between Elizabeth and Ogden at least two times.  Then saw that the regular NS was back on the job.  Now for the last few weeks it has been CP 2227, a GP20.  I did get some pics and videos.  Will try to put the pics up on my flickr site:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/35990458@N03/

Joe

22

General Discussion / CN switching ADM

« on: June 12, 2014, 09:54:40 PM »

Today for the first time ever I saw a CN engine switching the ADM mill off of Ogden.  This has always been done by NS.  Was also odd that there were no cars at the mill during the day.  Appears that the night before the empties were hauled away but the loads were left parked west of Ogden.  Maybe the crew timed out?  In addition, it was rare that the mill was being switched at 4:30 p.m. during the height of Metra rush hour traffic; normally this move is done later in the evening.  Of course, I was heading somewhere and could not get pics or videos.
On a related note, I did shoot video of a switch job from last month. Hoping to put it on youtube. However, having a 16 month old doesn't allow me much time to do this.

Joe

23

General Discussion / Illinois Commerce Commission site

« on: December 29, 2013, 04:17:24 PM »

Was trying to find pics of the Navy Pier line and stumbled upon the Illinois Commerce Commission website. You can search out railroad grade crossings. Tons of great reference pics. Here is a link to "at grade" crossings. You can also choose "RR above" or "RR below".  This will keep you busy for a while.

http://www.icc.illinois.gov/railroad/results.aspx?v=&county=C031&s=&g=A&t=
 

Joe

24

General Discussion / Does Big Bay spot cars themselves?

« on: September 13, 2013, 07:45:32 PM »

Added couple of Big Bay pics to flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35990458@N03/

This was day after my previous flickr post when there were 5 freight cars on Cherry Avenue.  The same cars were still present but had been re-spotted further south.  Did Big Bay re-spot them with a fork truck?

Joe

25

General Discussion / New ADM mill trackmobile

« on: August 26, 2013, 11:32:25 PM »

The ADM mill on Carroll and Ogden has a newly delivered trackmobile.  The original grey critter appears to have been retired. It's parked at the end of one of the spurs up to the bumper.  They've been using what I guess to be a leased trackmobile since about February.  There is now a brand new one decorated with the new ADM logo near the tracks but yet to be railed. Pics can be found at my newly started flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35990458@N03/

Joe

26

General Discussion / Sun Times ending Tribune printing contract

« on: August 05, 2013, 10:14:28 PM »

As of May 2015 Tribune will no longer be printing Sun Times papers.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130801/BLOGS08/130809994/sun-times-scrapping-print-delivery-pacts-with-trib

Joe

27

General Discussion / Goose Island train simulations

« on: June 03, 2013, 10:30:47 PM »

Was searching for Sanborn maps and came upon this site where people are creating very elaborate train simulations of the Goose Island area.  Really cool stuff. They base them off the Sanborn maps. Some good pics in there too along with rail customer info.

http://www.elvastower.com/forums/index.php?/forum/223-goose-island/

Joe

28

General Discussion / Newly found static refrigerated boxcar?

« on: May 18, 2013, 01:48:21 AM »

While searching for the factory my late Grandfather used to work I stumbled upon a static refrigerated boxcar on Hubbard west of Ashland.  Don't remember seeing this being mentioned before. It is directly west of Carson Tire Service (1627 W. Hubbard), actually in their parking lot.  It's probably used for storage, it is just the body of the car without the trucks.  On the On the Bing maps birds eye view it appears to be a light color.  Currently it has a coat of dark green paint. Have a poor phone pic, will have to take a better one and post it.

Joe

29

General Discussion / CNW Low Line questions

« on: May 08, 2013, 11:28:43 PM »

I live right next to the former CNW low line that ran along Kinzie.  Thinking about possibly modeling this area someday.  When was the last time this line was used?  When was the last time cars were stored at Kinzie St. Yard?  I saw some of the last movements across the Kinzie St. bascule bridge in early 2001 while working construction at River Bend Condo.  I think at that time the Sun Times was only printing flyers there.  Pretty sure Kinzie St. Yard was gone by then.  Did those Sun Times cars come from Grand Ave. Yard?

Thanks,
Joe

30

General Discussion / Pic inside Fulton Cold Storage

« on: April 18, 2013, 11:01:36 PM »

Pic of rail dock inside Fulton Cold Storage.  Track paved over but bumper remains.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robert_r_gigliotti/8423944001/

Joe