Good times were had for sure.
Our crew was Dan J (djohanns), Matt S. (cnwnorthline), Doug Kaniuk (D. Kaniuk) and myself.
We met at Starbucks, waiting around until about 10:20 or so. Doug was on a tight schedule so we really couldn\'t wait much longer -- apologies if anyone showed up afterward looking for us.
First stop was end of track at Division/Kingsbury/Halsted. An old truck trailer with a late-era Iliinois Central logo was spotted in Chicago Firewood\'s yard.
Next stop: Goose Island mini-tour. Division to Hickory to North Branch to Cherry. We walked around Big Bay and Nazdar. A new Commonwealth Edison facility has gone up at the intersection of Bliss/NorthBranch/Cherry. Rail service to deliver transformers and heavy equipment could happen some day.
We next drove up to the Goose Island drawbridge and the run-around track. A relatively new footpath parallels the tracks and people were walking over the drawbridge, presumably to get lunch on \"the mainland\".
On to Morton Salt on Elston with a peek into the UP/CT North Avenue yard. We spotted the Chicago Terminal switcher getting prepped for the afternoon job.
Doug had to leave us for a few hours at this point. Matt, Dan and I went on to the industrial area east of Elston (\"East Bloomingdale Switchign District\" for convenience of reference), just south of Chicago Terminal\'s swingbridge. Access to the bridge from the south is severely restricted now as a formerly abandoned lumber complex is now gated off with an office of some sort on part of the premises.
We asked permission at one of the facilities adjacent to the river, but were politely declined.
On to the Cortland Avenue drawbridge where we waited for the Terminal to show. An hour or so passed so we headed off to Clybourn to get lunch. En route, some sightseeing at Finkl\'s was in order: steel was being poured in one of the bays.
Following lunch we headed back to Cortland drawbridge where we immediately spotted C.T.\'s engine on the Elston overpass, switching out cars. We ran over to Elston for an hour plus of watching the crew put a train together. Gondolas full of scrap and 2 cars full of lumber. Just as the final consist came together, Doug returned from his appointment.
After Elston we were able to watch the Terminal crossing the river then do some switching just west of General Iron. The train finally arrived at C&E Junction just before 3:30 PM which was when I had to leave for the airport.
I presume Dan, Doug and Matt followed the train down to Big Bay on Goose Island. One of them can finish this report.
Many thanks to Doug K. for his generosity.
Additional thanks go to Chicago Terminal\'s fine crew for answering our questions and allowing us to photograph their operations.
