Recent Posts

11

Modeling / Train Simulator of Goose Island

« Last post by TribuneFreightFanatic on April 18, 2024, 10:34:58 PM »

Hey all,

Stumbled upon this guy's YouTube video where he reviews someone's impressive efforts recreating Goose Island's switching ops in a program called Train Simulator. I have no personal experience with the program, but was impressed with the work highlighted in the video. Details include the Proctor & Gamble plant, Ogden overpass, and more. (I spy my beloved Freedom Center in the distance... maybe there's a CNW spur somewhere in the program!)

While not precise (including the BN GP38 and SW1500 working on the island), its pretty damn neat. Might bring back memories for those of us who actually remember Goose Island back in the '80s. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJkXhZp5nqo

12

Modeling / N Scale Chicago Terminal SW8

« Last post by TribuneFreightFanatic on April 18, 2024, 02:08:12 PM »

One of my goals this past winter was to finally make an N-scale version of ILSX 900. Here it is!

I completed the larger HO-scale version in 2021 (seen elsewhere in this forum's Modeling section), and after finally securing an old N-scale Walthers/Life-Like SW8 in Fall 2023 I applied the same techniques of repainting and detailing by hand.

While my N-scale layout doesn't have any industries serviced by CTRR, it's nice to have this locomotive on standby in case I do a tiny shelf layout of Peerless or something in the future. Thumbtack for scale.

There's a higher-resolution version of this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uspslabelfan/53663082480/in/photostream/

13

General Discussion / Re: The end of Blommer

« Last post by TBurke on March 23, 2024, 08:41:02 AM »

That is sad and unexpected news. At least we have known the Tribune Freedom Center plant will be closing for a long time now.

I hope to get down there for some final photos of UP switching both of them next month.

UP will be happy to be rid of both of them as it is probably a money loser to assign a crew and a train to make the trip all the way from Proviso and back twice a week.

I wonder how much longer Alpha Baking on the Cragin Line will stay open? At least there is less development pressure in that neighborhood vs. River West and the Fulton Market areas.

14

General Discussion / The end of Blommer

« Last post by cnwnorthline on March 22, 2024, 08:48:03 PM »

Well, it was only a matter of time.  Blommer's finally closing: https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2024/03/22/blommer-chocolate-close-chicago-factory?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow-cst&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1mDm-rOZCQYXoZZv256TIaEuLbdtJD57CfKwEgVnr6F6oJfWorim9glug

-Matt

15

General Discussion / Rare Picture of Blommer Chocolate Tractor Used to Spot Tank Cars on Lower Level

« Last post by TBurke on March 18, 2024, 07:15:18 AM »

https://www.flickr.com/photos/uspslabelfan/53574475543/in/photolist-2keYJFS-21i9M8i-2keSWMz-2pCcc5c-22AkcBW-PWji1Q-2pCcMEk-2okaZ3m-26BaYGL-uGv2qH-22D4xyT-2kgfqYv-22Akdhd-2pCdp7Z-2keX8tR-2nGqihi-aa2fCu-21i9Mv2-22AkdNU-2pCb8c7-21yqrE7-2nqxmzT-e89a2V-e8eNDW-2ka4Cv7-ao6oSg-2ksAFdr-vknvGr-2kGQQ1e-26BaXW7-2h5FoEP-VLZ4dB-e897Qn-EP2APE-2hpEbdg-2nwrJyo-2n8ShXU-Q8NnSL-2h5H4jp-e8eMEJ-2okckhf-2n8J3X2-2nwsZos-e8eSvm-e897Kv-2nwrDtb-e8eSp5-e899ev-e89bax-e898FF

16

General Discussion / Edit-CPKC Steam Train Will Leave Bensenville at 8AM Thursday May 9 Heading West

« Last post by TBurke on March 18, 2024, 07:13:49 AM »

The CPKC steam train tour is stopping in Franklin Park on May 8.

https://www.cpkcr.com/en/media/CPKC-2024-Steam-Tour-Schedule-Dates

Does anyone know about what time it is scheduled to leave Franklin Park? It will be a mob scene there so I am hoping to get photos of the train as it heads west instead.

17

Modeling / Re: Miami / Lance Mindheim modeling

« Last post by TBurke on December 22, 2023, 11:16:33 AM »

Thanks, Jeff.

I purchased his book too Stucco and Pastels which is a brief, but interesting, read with plenty of pictures of the Downtown Spur before its recent rationalization that eliminated many of the spurs that used to flare off of it.

I wish I had more time to explore the industrial lines of Miami.

18

General Discussion / Re: Bloomer switching in movie "Blink" 1994

« Last post by haggar on December 10, 2023, 02:43:23 PM »

Sorry about typo.  We all know it's Blommer not Bloomer.

Joe

19

Modeling / Miami / Lance Mindheim modeling

« Last post by Jeff Wingstrom on December 09, 2023, 10:44:49 PM »

While looking at some great Miami shots on Flickr from Tom Burke - I instantly thought of Lance's modeling work.. Tom I was glad to see you mentioned & linked to it in your comments. Just wanted to make sure anyone surfing here for modeling stuff has a look at it, it is quite something. His and Pelle Soeborg's work is some of the best I've seen.

20

General Discussion / Re: Bloomer switching in movie "Blink" 1994

« Last post by TBurke on December 09, 2023, 08:00:10 PM »

Great catch. I never even heard of that movie.

It's almost as if they timed that shot on purpose to have the two trains go by.

Must have been a hot delivery if C&NW made a special run to drop off a single car to Bloomer.