Chicago Sampler - May 2018

[Kensington]

I got a chance to chase trains in downtown Chicago, south of Union Station back on a fine day in May.
The Amtrak Loco Shop near 18th Street:

 

[Kensington]

16th Street tower on the Rock:

A bit of CTA Red Line (Dan Ryan) action:

And looking west towards the South Branch of the Chicago River:

The left bridge in the down position is the St. Charles Air Line bridge and is in use by the CNRR. The right bridge stored in the up position is the B&O Chicago Terminal RR Bridge -- now abandoned, no tracks on either side of the river.

 

[Kensington]

Inbound RI action at 16th:

Hey! It's the 'Heritage' loco!

Yep. #425, named Don Orseno. (He retired late last year from the position of CEO after 44 years of service; he started as a collector on the Rock Island commuter trains.)

 

[Kensington]

At the Lumber Street grade crossing:
BNSF coal and Amtrak wait for signals under 18th Street.

Amtrak gets cleared first ...

... and rolls south across the Canal Street bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River.

It's not long before the the train backs north towards Union Station.

 

[Kensington]

Peeking under 18th street you see plenty of green lights on the switch indicators. (Amtrak loco service area.)

Crossing the tracks for a different angle gets some Metra action moving north ...

... and misses the BNSF coal moving south.

 

[Kensington]

Oh so interesting that Canal Street Railroad bridge.

Detail here: https://bridgehunter.com/il/cook/bh50843/

 

[Kensington]

Closer to Union Station is a parking garage along the west side of the tracks.
Amtrak heads south (or east or west).

An interesting observation car.

Some angles get you lots of poles ...

... or with a quick move you get a cleaner view.

Hope you enjoyed foaming in Chicago.

 

[CGW101c]

I enjoyed it very much and hope to see more of your photographs, I know they are images in the digital age. I was born in Chicago, but left nearly 60 years ago. The Chicago railroad scene is still of interest. So by all means keep railfanning Chicago. Tom