A walk along the tracks in downtown Elmhurst while The Union Pacific Railroads replaces wooden ties. We start just West of York Rd and go about a block West and show some of the equipment in operation. This is right at the Elmhurst METRA station.
Inbound METRA departs Elmhurst just as the outbound train pulls in. Note the outbound is using the center track. Passengers have to all leave the one coach that is at the York road crossing. 7/17/08 and a hot 88 degrees at aprox 2:15 PM
Watching the Union Pacific finish the ballast just East of York Road in Elmhurst Illinois. A pretty neat piece of equipment with adjustable blades pushing and pulling the ballast over newly installed ties.
A barren spot of ground where the Nike Missile launchers were located. Now part of Addison Public Works there is nothing here except for test wells looking for missile fuel.
Here is an entire neighborhood slated for demolition. What use to be a nice neighborhood of families with well kept homes is to become part of the airport. Chicago has deep pockets and was able to buy off all these families but the Village of Bensenville and other towns are fighting to stop the tear-downs.
It was like fate brought this lash-up to me. Four beat-up UP locos slowed down at a place where I was not expecting a train. Check out the second unit a former Chicago NorthWestern locomotive. Then look at the last unit. A UP yard unit. I will let you guys tell me what exactly these are. Wheaton Illinois 8/30/08.
Our eastbound METRA glides into the Union Pacific yard in West Chicago. Yard switcher #Y612 is off to the right. To the left a locomotive moves freight backwards onto a side track. Lots of locomotives and auto-carriers. A plethora of railroad sights, a rail fans dream. A place where the last of my camera memory got used (darn those 1GB chips, they should hold 2 GB). Enjoy the view, I did!
Soo Line locomotive #1538 sits forlorn along Franklin/Green Street at the Canadian Pacific Railroad yard near Bensenville Illinois. This old Milwaukee Road locomotive has seen a lot of service and its markings are almost gone. A fallen flag, a reminder of the glory days of Midwest railroading.
Anyone who can tell me more about this loco, please post comment!
A view showing all at Elburn. Union Pacific #4001 #4048 cruise Westward past the Elburn station. View is from the hill at the far West end of the Metra property. Included is the METRA coach yard.
METRA outbound was about 25 minutes late pulling into Hinsdale early this afternoon. The station announcement was that track construction caused this delay somewhere near Berwyn. Check out the guy on the platform giving grief to the engineer.
Villa Parks Veterans Memorial featuring what I think is a authentic deactivated ( I Hope ) NIKE missile. This is one block west of Villa Avenoe, afew blocks south of St Charles Rd, and one block north of the Prairie Path.
Chicago Terminal Railroad locomotive #921 at an undisclosed location near O'Hare Airport. Just a quick look at some parked locomotives including Union Pacific #Y552. Also a quick look up and down the tracks. A setting for the model enthusiasts.
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