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!
