MAY2008

MAY 31 2008

79°F - Scattered Clouds - 45% - W 17mph

SITE UPDATED 7:10pm

MP2 - NB - 6:40pm

CN2553 (C44-9W) + CN5729 (SD75i) + CN2556 (C44-9W)

Finally, the outside Park Grill has opened!!!

Todays lunch - Angus Beef Burger with Herkimer Cheddar Cheese & Applewood Bacon

- La Terre Merlot

(with only the finest crystal plasticware) - and Lake Michigan H2O.

Crossing Indiana Ave - NB - 1:47pm

CN/IC2714 (C44-9W) leads . . . . .

. . . . CN/IC2710 (C44-9W)

CUSTOM CAR SHOW PIX

MP2 - SB - 11:00am

CN5341 (SD40-2W) + CN/IC6114 (SD40-2) + IC6064 (SD40-2)

MP2 - SB - 9:50am

Diesel truck powered work train

Another shot as it heads to McCormick Place

MP2 - Outbound to Carbondale - Saluki - 9:40am

Amtrak515 (P32-8) + 4

Custom Car Show at McCormick Place Parking Lot

FREE 10:00am - 3:00pm - 18th/Lake Shore drive

Probably will cost you $20-25 to Park at Soldier Field Lot (Left of McDonalds sign)

MP2 - NB - 6:40am

CN2614 (C44-9W) + CN5771 (SD75i) + CN/IC9562 (GP38-2)

Better shot of CN/IC9562 (GP38-2) crossing Indiana Ave (Chicago)

MP2 - SB - 5:25am

CN8838 (SD70M-2) + IC6058 (SD40-2)

MAY 30 2008

Weber Grill - Grand & State (Chicago)

Skirt Steak - Smashed Sweet Potato - J. Garcia Cabernet - Lake Michigan Water

MP2 - NB - 1:20pm

CN2414 (C40-8M) + CN/IC2462 (C40-8W)

Going to lunch - Friday? - may not be back!

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:45pm

Amtrak (F)140 (P42DC) + Amtrak (R)508 (P32-8) + 4

MP2 - NB - 12:30pm in the rain

IC6059 (SD40-2) + CN/IC2715 (C44-9W) + CN5524 (SD60F) + CN2559 (C44-9W)

MP2 - WB to BNSF main - 9:45am

BNSF trackage Rights over CN end tomorrow

BNSF9710 (SD70MAC) + BNSF6114 (ES44AC)

MP2 - Inbound - City of New Orleans - 8:25am

Amtrak151 (P42DC) + 6

Milwaukee Road "Cedar Rapids" at Lumber Street Yard

on a Warm / Wet / Humid Day

MAY 29 2008

Stopped at MP2 - NB - 7:40pm

CN5528 (SD60F) + CN5261 (SD40-2W) + Brand New BNSF9215 (SD70ACe)

Above Indiana Ave - Brand new BNSF 9215 (SD70ACe)

MP2 - NB - First Intermodal train in 2 years - 7:05pm

CN8021 (SD70M-2) + CN5410 (SD50F) + IC3117 (GP40)

Cosco cars on SCAL @ MP2

MP2 - NB - 4:06pm

CN5435 (SD50F in need of a bath) + CN5608 (SD70i)

MP2 - SB - 2:00pm

CN/IC2697 (C44-9W) + CN2581 (C44-9W) + CN/GTW5950 (SD40-3)

Indiana Avenue - NB - 1:35pm

CN/GTW5956 (SD40-3) leads. . . .

IC1037 (SD70) and. . . .

CN/GTW5930 (SD40-2)

MP2 - SB - 1:10 pm

CN5673 (SD75i) + CN/IC6119 (SD40-2)

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:52pm

Amtrak52 (Front) + Amtrak63 (Rear) (both P42DC) + 4

MP2 - SB - 10:00

CN/IC2715 + CN/IC2703 (both C44-9W) + IC6059 (SD40-2)

MP2 - Inbound CNO - 8:35am

Amtrak59 (P42DC) + 6

MAY 28 2008

MP2 - Outbound City of New Orleans - 8:19pm

Amtrak 25 (P42DC) + 6

MP2 - SB - 8:14pm

CN/IC6101 (SD40-2) + CN5797 (SD75i) + CN2675 (C44-9W) + CN/IC 2463 (C40-8)

While all the fun and excitement was happening on the Green Line

(hope everybody noticed how fast Chief Ron blamed the motorman)

my daughter Nicole (aka Nikki) ate a late lunch at the Park Grill at Millenium Park

Forgot to take pix of lunch entree but for dessert I had

Cookies, Candy, and chocolate and Nikki had that Strawberry thing

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:50pm

Amtrak508 (P32-8) + Amtrak196 (P42DC) + 4

MAY 27 2008

MP2 - Outbound City of New Orleans - 8:18pm

One of these two engines probably for wrecked CNO engine in MS

Amtrak28 & 151 (both P42DC) + 6

MP2 - SB - 3:20pm

CN5757 (SD75i) + CN/GTW5930 (SD40-2) + CN9555 (GP40-2LW)

MP2 - NBMP2 - NB - 2:14pm

CN2697 (C44-9W) + CN2581 (C44-9W)

MP2 - NB - 1:57pm

CN2234 (ES44DC) + CN2642 (C44-9W) + CN5358 (SD40-2W)

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:55pm

Amtrak52 (lead P42DC) + Amtrak63 (rear P42DC) + 4

MAY 26 2008

Pictures below taken from METRA/BNSF commuter train from Chicago to LaGrange

between 12:30pm and 1:05pm

Amtrak 28 and 29 (P42DC) at Amtrak shops/Yard

coming off NS/UP - heading west

NS9562 (C40-9W) + BNSF6109 (SD70M)

Westbound BNSF (smudged Metra Glass)

BNSF2082 (GP38-2) + BNSF1482 (GP15-1)

At Clyde Yard (Cicero, IL) - Intermodal being switched

BNSF2327 (GP38) + BNSF2031 (GP38-2)

BNSF4465 (Dash9-44CW) leads. . . .

. . . . BNSF7056 (SD40-2) westbound

Went to dinner at J. Alexanders in Oak Brook

MEXICO CITY SPINACH CON QUESO appetizer

The image

Ribeye Steak Maui -

it was good - as was the FRANCISCAN "OAKVILLE ESTATE" – Napa Valley Wine

and carrot cake

Pictures below were taken at Metra LaGrange Road Station and CUS

between 4:55pm and 5:45pm

Westbound empty Fayette Power Project coal train at LaGrange Road

BNSF5739 (ES44AC) + BNSF9402 (SD70MAC)

BNSF2280 (GP38) at Laramie Avenue

MP2 - NB - 10:17am

CN5680 (SD75i) + GTW5812 & GTW5860 (both GP38-2)

MP2 - Inbound City of New Orleans - 8:11am

Amtrak7 (P42DC) + 6 - Amtrak7 was wrecked on return trip when CNO hit a garbage truck

in Mississippi

SCAL - WB to BNSF main - 6:45am

After the T-storms last night - weeds/brush/trees have really grown

BNSF6123 & BNSF6109 (both ES44AC)

MAY 25 2008

MP2 - SB - 7:02pm

CN5523 (SD60F) + CN5770 (SD75i)

Our Memorial Day Before BBQ

MP2 - NB - 2:30pm

CN5341 (SD40-2W) - CN/IC6114 (SD40-2)

BNSF main EB - west of Canal Street - 12:35pm

UPY713 (GP15-1)

BNSF - Cicero Avenue - 12:40pm

BNSF - Clyde Yard (Cicero, IL) - 12:35pm

ATSF2549 (GP35u)

BNSF - Clyde Yard (Cicero, IL) - 12:35pm

ATSF2504 (GP35u)

MAY 24 2008

MP2 - NB - 6:05pm

CN8013 (SD75i) + IC1000 (SD70)

MP2 - SB - 2:50pm

CN6028 (SD40u) + IC6064 (SD40-2) + CN5410 (SD50F) + GTW 4924 & 5860 (both GP38-2)

MP2 - NB - 2:30pm

CN5711 & 5758 (both SD75i) + CN2255 (ES44DC)

The Pritzker DNA Lab

Lunch at McDonalds!

Quarter Pounder / Fries (No Trans Fat) and a Diet Coke - $4.56 w/tax

MP2 - NB - 10:03am

CN8800 (SD70M-2) + CN5258 (SD40-2W)

MP2 - Outbound to Carbondale - 9:30am

Amtrak49 (P42DC) + 4

Coast Guard Helicopter over the Chicago River - 9:15am

MAY 23 2008

MP2 - SB - 3:23pm

CN/IC2464 (C40-8W) + CN5457 (SD50f) + IC6063 (SD40-2)

MP2 - SB - 3:15pm

CN2621 (C44-9W) + CN5241 (SD40-2W)

A healthy lunch at Sedd Aquarium

Chop Salad - Lake Michigan water (I hope) - Benzinger Family Cabernet

MP2 - NB - 12:25pm

CN5449 (SD50F) + CN/GTW5932 (SD40-2) + CN/IC9572 (GP38-2)

Helicopter N905CH landing (second trip) at Northerly Island - 8:30am

Sikorsky S-61N Helipro Short (Construction Helicopter)

MAY 22 2008

Will be attending The image “http://www.fieldmuseum.org/natureunleashed/highlights_pageimages/header.gif” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. FIELD MUSEUM - PREVIEW TONIGHT

MAIN HALL at FIELD MUSEUM on PREVIEW NIGHT

WE HAD A NICE LITE MEAL

OPEN BAR and HELP YOUR SELF FOOD

DESSERTS WERE EVEN BETTER

EXHIBIT WAS EXCELLENT ON NATURAL DISASTERS - ACTUALLY STAYED TO CLOSING

MP2 - SB mixed - 2:09pm

CN5410 (SD50F) + CN5378 (SD40-2) + IC6068 (SD40-2) + CN/IC9563 (GP38-2) +

CN/GTW5950 (SD40-3)

MP2 - SB ,ixed - 1:45pm

CN5267 (SD40-2W) + CN/GTW5932 (SD40-2)

Does CN spray these engines with paint remover?

MP2 - WB empty coal - 9:15am

BNSF9533 and 9707 (both SD70MAC)

MAY 21 2008

59°F - Partly Cloudy - 33% - WNW 08mph - 8:05pm

MP2 - SB mixed - 7:58pm

CN5765 (SD75i) + IC1024 (SD70) + CN5540 (SD60F)

MP2 - NB mixed - 7:20pm

CN5639 (SD75i) + CN5291 (SD40-2W) + CN5509 (SD50F)

$4.99 Burger Day at Bennigans

Johns Burger - Blackstone Merlot - Lake Michigan Water

Decided to spend the afternoon on the shores of Lake Michigan

Time to think about my future

Roosevelt Road Beach - to cool for bikinis - Adler Planetarium

A bird enjoying himself

Interesting!

Intersting 2!

A small family on Northerly Island

Metra Canal St Yards - 10:30am

BNSF3533 (SW1200)

MAY 20 2008

65°F - Mostly Cloudy - 33% - WNW 12mph - 5:05pm

MP2 - SB mixed - 8:05pm

CN5556 (SD60F) + CN5367 (SD40-2) + CN5410 (SD50F)

16th & Clark Sts - NB mixed - 6:40pm

CN9555 (GP40-2LW) in sad shape + IL6109 (SD40-2)

Lunch at the Park Grill

Herkemer Cheddar Angus Beef Burger with Applewood Bacon -

B.R. Cohn Cabernet & Lake Michigan Water

CRL/Chicago & Illinois RR movie train coming off SCAL at 16th/Clark to Metra RI division tracks

1:23pm

Chicago & Illinois RR coaches crossing Chicago River on SCAL

C&IRR going on to Metra

CRL engine blowing smoke with train on Metra passing CTA Red Line 22nd St Station

Lumber Street (Chicago) - MILW261 - 10:20am

Getting ready to depart with railfans and crew talking it up

Train has departed under its own power . . . .

. . . .replaced by a really beat Chicago Rail Link 15 (GP18)

CRL on the move with 4 of the "Chicago & Illinois" passenger cars

most likely going to Blue Island, IL

MP2 - SB mixed - 10:10am

CN2419 (C40-8M) + CN2586 (C44-9W)

MP2 - OB Saluki to Carbondale - 9:30am

Amtrak15 (P42DC) + 4

MP2 - WB to BNSF main via SCAL - empty coal 8:35am

BNSF5700 (AC4400CW) + IC3115 (GP40)

At 9:03am - crossing the Chicago River on the SCAL

MAY 19 2008

51°F - Overcast - 41% - ENE 12mph - 6:55pm

Over at Lumber Street

look at the roof - notice the 1/2 paint job. . . .

. . . . the other side - Chicago & Illinois - awesome!

BNSF coal train on the SCAL with a pair of SD70MACs

Lunch at Millers Pub - Chicago

Glass Mountain Cabernet - Hot Beef Sandwich - Lake Micigan H2O

Gas Protest at Roosevelt & Wabash BP station - $4.25.9 for Regular

MP2 - SB mixed - 9:06am

CN2550 (C44-9W) + CN2661 (C44-9W) + CN5660 (SD75i)

MP2 - Inbound City of New Orleans - 8:07am

Amtrak59 (P42DC) + 6

MAY 17 - 18 2008

Dennis, I wanted to express my appreciation to you for the information on your site.Not only did it remind me of Franklin Park Railroad Daze, but I was unaware of the Milwaukee 261 being in town until seeing it in your photos of the Amtrak yard. I was lucky enough to go out there with my sons, and not only did we get to enter the cab, but went for a short cab ride in the yard and toured most of the cars. It was a great family experience and I was able to get 100 photos!
Dr. Mike

52°F - Mostly Cloudy - 66% - SSW 05mph - 10:10pm

MP2 - NB - MOW - 2:35pm

CN's newest motive power

Even a unit on the rear

MP2 - SB mixed -2:10pm

IC6122 (SD40-2) + IC6121_SD40-2) + CN5340 (SD40-2W) + GTW6221 (GP38-2)

Business Cars Gatineau and Tawaw + CN103 (E9Ar)

MP2 -NB mixed - 2:05pm

CN6016 (SD40u) + CN/GTW5930 (SD40-2)

MP2 - SB mixed - 1:25pm

CN5622 (SD70i) + CN5530 (SD60F)

MP2 - NB tank/grain - 7:40am

IC1015 (SD70i) + CN5618 (SD70i) + CN2564 (C44-9W)

MP2 - WB - empty coal - still 16th/Clark (7:35pm) - 4:55pm

BNSF5647 (AC4400CW) + IC1033 (SD70)

MP2 - SB grain / tank - 3:23pm

IC3117 (GP40) + IC3137 (GP40) + GTW5855 (GP38-2)

Spectators gather to watch re-building of Red Line subway - 8:15am

MAY 16 2008

72°F - Partly Cloudy - 35% - WSW 17mph - 6:50pm

MP2 - NB - mixed - 7:35pm

CN5675 (SD75i) + CN/IC2719 (C44-9W) + CN2651 (C44-9W)

MP2 -NB - mixed 10:03am

CN2586 (C44-9W) + CN2419 (C40-8M)

MP2 - WB to BNSF main via SCAL- mixed - 7:45am

CN/IC6120 (SD40-2) + CN 2676 (C44-9W)

Train has been seperated at Clark Street due to "problems"- 9:30am

SCAL approaching Chicago River Bridge - to BNSF - 10:10am

CN/IC6120 and CN2419 on their way to BNSF main after being put back together

MAY 15 2008

Lunch at Weber Grill (Chicago) with my younger daughter Nicole

I had Polish and Meatloaf combo

Nikki had Beer Can Chicken

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:20pm

Amtrak68 (P42DC) + 4

MP2 - My Birthday Special - NB - 11:59am

CN2413 (C40-8M) + CN2440 (C40-8M) + CN103 (E9Ar) + 2 Business cars

Closer Look at E9Ar and CN business cars

CN103 (E9Ar) crossing Indiana Ave. (Chicago)

MP2 - NB - mixed - 10:06am

CN6021 (SD40u) + CN9513 (GP40-2LW)

MAY 14 2008

50°F - Clear - 74% - E 09mph - 7:25pm

When we left O'Malley's, NB CN mixed was still at 16th/Clark

CN5522 (SD60F). . . .with

. . . .IC1005 (SD70) and. . . .

. . . .CN2646 (C44-9W)

Sign says it all

MP2 - SB - mixed- 3:12pm - got by me while downloading pix below

IC - GTW - WC (always miss the good ones)

MP2 - NB - very short mixed - 3:05pm

CN5459 (SD50F) + CN6102 (SD40-2)

Indiana Ave (Chicago) - SB - mixed - 12:01pm

CN2505 (C44-9WL) leads. . . .

. . . . CN5668 (SD75i)

MAY 13 2008

65°F - T-storms - 59% - S 13 mph - 8:20pm

MP2 - NB - mixed - 7:55pm in the T-storms

CN2453 (C40-8M) + CN2403 (C40-8M) + CN/GTW5950 (SD40-3)

Should tell you were we ate

Wow! A Brown Sugar/Honey BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger

with fries, Lake Michigan water, Benzinger Cabernet

A++

Chili's - 2 E Ontario - Chicago

MP2 - Inbound Saluki - 12:50pm

Amtrak 13 (P42DC on the 13th) + 4

MP2 - Inbound - CNO - @8:35am

Amtrak176 (P42DC) + 5

MAY 12 2008

46°F - SCATTERED CLOUDS - 66% - E 09 mph - 6:45pm

MP2 - SB - mixed - 7:35pm

UP4796 (SD70M) + UP7625 (ES44AC)

MP2 - NB - mixed - 6:55pm

CN5685 (SD75i) + CN/GTW5941 (SD40-3) + CN5546 (SD60F)

Lunch at Mity Nice - Water Tower Place - Chicago

Turkey Plate (Turkey, Dressing, Mashed, Green Beans) / Mity Nice Red Wine / Water

MP2 - NB - mixed - 1:40pm

CN/IC2464 (C40-8W) + IC6201 (SD40-3)

16th / Clark Sts -Inbound Saluki meets Metra

Metra coming off SCAL on to the Metra RI District

All construction equipment is for CTA Red Line

MAY 11 2008

54°F - MOSTLY CLOUDY - 62% - NNW 17 mph - 8:30pm

MP2 - NB - mixed - 7:55pm

Always an interesting consist when it gets dark

IC1000 (SD70) + CN5661 (SD75i) + CN/GTW6401 (GP40) Operation Lifesaver

GTW6401 (GP40) OLS crossing Indiana Avenue

MP2 - SB - grain/tank- 4:40pm

CN5289 (SD40-2W) + CN5264 (SD40-2W) + IC1007 (SD70)

MP2 - NB - tank/grain - 4:10pm

CN/IC6120 (SD40-2) + CN/GTW5938 (SD40-3) + CN6017 (SD40u) + UP3928 (SD70M)

MP2 - WB - empty coal to BNSF main via SCAL - 1:25pm

BNSF9990 (SD70MAC) + BNSF6058 (ES44AC) + BNSF9668 (SD70MAC) + BNAF9957 (SD70MAC)

MP2 - Inbound to Chicago - Saluki - 1:04pm

Amtrak68 (P42DC) + 4

Lake Michigan is not forgiving today with those 30+ mph winds

MP2 - NB - mixed in the rain - 6:35am

CN5682 (SD75i) + CN5731 (SD75i)

MAY 10 2008