CIRY CB&Q Heritage Unit

[chuck]

I know it\'s southside, but saw this on Illinirail and thought some may want to check it out.  they are a very fan friendly operation!


Thought I\'d pass this along, this locomotive looks very nice and was painted in the past
month outside at their compound. It\'s worth going to check out!!

-Matt Lastovich

Hello Everybody-

I am pleased to inform you all that the Central Illinois Railroad will be debuting its
Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Heritage Painted engine on Friday, October 31, 2008.

The extensive and exhaustive repainting job will be complete Thursday, Oct. 30. The first
run will be on Halloween, Friday the 31st. That is this Friday!

The locomotive has undergone and extensive cosmetic restoration in celebration of the
Lumber District\'s heritage. This is ex-BN trackage, before that CB&Q.

The breakdown for the day is looking like this:

0800: \"Ceremonial\" painting of the bell gold.
0845: Breakfast for all those who care to join either at David\'s Grill or Steak N Egger, both
walking distance from the office.
1000: Departure from locomotive compound to begin day\'s work

Engineer and conductor will be wearing 1950\'s railroad attire and the locomotive will be
flying white flags.

Approximate arrival back between 1400 and 1500 (2-3pm).

The day will include numerous special stops and set-ups for photos. These will include 3-
5 stops with the Sears Tower and Skyline in the background.
We will also be doing 2 or 3 runs charging up our hill, the engine always puts on a show
here. There will be at least one assured in good light (nose lit).

We use AAR 80-80 for our radio channel.

As we are a working railroad, this schedule is subject to change. Times are tentative. It is
recommended those interested show up at 918 W. Cermak around 0800. The day\'s details
including stops, plans, etc. will be discussed there.

We are a railfan friendly railroad as long as the railfans are NOT doing anything dumb.

Please come join us for this inaugural run and celebration. Many of the set-up photos will
not be able to be duplicated as we normally run west in the morning and are rarely nose-
lit.

Anyone who has any questions please feel free to contact me and snomandrums@...

Feel free to spread the word around...we are trying to get publicity and more railfans!

Thanks and hope to see you trackside!!!

-Kevin Vahey
CIRY Engineer

[TBurke]

Sounds like fun but I have to work that day.  Hopefully someone with a camera can get down there and post some photos.

It\'s a fascinating line with spurs going every which way though it appears out of service east of Halsted.  The two Central Illinois locomotives in the recent past were covered in graffiti.

[robertmroman]

From http://www.dhke.com/schs/schs204.htm regarding Central Illinois:
Operation #1 11/23/2000 to Present
The first operation is industrial switching in Chicago, in an area bounded by:
North: Cermak Rd, East: Halsted Ave. South: Chicago River, West: Kedize Ave
Map #1

Operation #2 4/23/2001 to Present
The second operation is industrial switching in Chicago, on the right-of-way of the former Illinois Northern RR.
Map #2

Operation #3 4/23/2001 to 4/31/2007
The third operation is indistrial switching in Elk Grove Village, in an area bounded by:
East: York Rd, North: Landmeir Rd
South: Irving Park Rd. (from York to Rt 83) and Thorndale (from Rt 83 to Arlington Heights rd)
West: Rt 83 (from Irving Park to Thorndale) and Arlington Heights Rd, (from Thorndale to Landmeir)
Update: operations taken over by the Chicago Terminal Railroad
Map #3

Outsourcing makes railroad watching interesting for us rail fans, but I wonder what its eventual implications might be for folks working for railroads. Well, that\'s interesting too.

be well,
bob roman

[Ben]

Took a few pictures of this...http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardstock/sets/72157608547212219/

[JohnColeman]

Great Pics!  I love the paint scheme.  Hopefully they are able to keep this engine safely away from graffiti...

[TBurke]

Great photos, Ben.  Glad you were able to get down there.  I like the idea of heritage paint schemes for shortlines operating over historic lines.

Now how long until BNSF\'s lawyers demand payment for using CB&Q\'s logo and colors?!

[ray gerard]

the plain blue unit was in the fenced lot at cermak/canalport alone this morning, but the N. gate was open.

[chuck]

I think the run almost every weekday and some Saturdays.  They usually get going around 8AM.

-=Chuck=-
Mail: chuckjanda@hotmail.com
Home: http://www.chucksphotospot.com