Thanks for the video. I lived along CMStP&P line, and Dad worked for the line "a while" in 40s-80s. Dad took my brother & I along to view many of the local RR Trainman points of interest through those years.
The "racetrack" begins at Union Tower 2 miles south of Union Station and ends in Aurora, 38 miles West southwest of the city. The line is signaled bi-directionally on all three tracks. The tracks are GENERALLY operated with the North track (track farthest north) being the westbound track. Also known as track 1. Track 2 is the middle track and is used in either direction, track 3 is the southern most track and GENERALLY used as the eastbound (or inbound) track.
The term racetrack has been used for near 50 plus years, it extends from Union Tower in Chicago, 2 miles or so south of Union Station to Aurora a West Southwest Suburb 38 miles distant.
This is how Metra operates, as for Amtrak and BNSF Freights as demonstrated so well in the video, that does not always apply as, all three entities have to manuver around each other. There are roughly 80 metra trains, 6 Amtrak, and 40-60 freights a day
Well I wouldn't say that, but there are so many crossings and at 79 miles per hour that you couldn't get all the blows out before the next crossing. I lived in La Grange and I don't believe it was a quiet zone but I could be wrong.
its an extra unit used for yard switching with out a cab like a normal loco the reason to have more power for both yard crews and mainline crews(I think)
I am not into Chicago railfanning and have heard the term "racetrack" used. Exactly where does it start and where does it end? I'd love to film it sometime!
MrJerbrad no problem. A slug (or road slug) is a locomotive with no engine. It has the traction motors, but the engine leading it gives them the power.
Around the early 2000s the F40s were replaced by General Electric P40s and P42s, a few shells became Cabbage cars mostly for use on Midwest Corridor services out of Chicago to Detroit, Carbondale and/or Milwaukee.
We have No Blow Zones here and people has lost their lives because of it. One would think they could have heard the train coming, I dont know if they had a radio going or what, but there has been two times by car, and one guy was on foot.
Thanks for the video. I lived along CMStP&P line, and Dad worked for the line "a while" in 40s-80s. Dad took my brother & I along to view many of the local RR Trainman points of interest through those years.
Used to live in LaGrange and Brookfield. This video brought back wonderful memories. Thanks!
Great Video, really nice work. Spent a very enjoyable sat afternoon in La Grange in 2011. Thanks for posting.
So Cool I took still photos of the IHB SW1500 and slug, also caught a CSX on the Racetrack at Western Springs on the same day! Great video!
The "racetrack" begins at Union Tower 2 miles south of Union Station and ends in Aurora, 38 miles West southwest of the city. The line is signaled bi-directionally on all three tracks. The tracks are GENERALLY operated with the North track (track farthest north) being the westbound track. Also known as track 1. Track 2 is the middle track and is used in either direction, track 3 is the southern most track and GENERALLY used as the eastbound (or inbound) track.
That UP 5228 is rare (Notched nose without flag, but with "Building America" on it) Nice catches!
I did hear the METRA blow a few times but that was it the slug on the IHB was wild looking l liked that.
That is actually such a badass shot at 15:13
Jeeez thats so sick how the exhaust lights up...man.
The term racetrack has been used for near 50 plus years, it extends from Union Tower in Chicago, 2 miles or so south of Union Station to Aurora a West Southwest Suburb 38 miles distant.
What a Rare catch with that Union Pacific head unit SD70MAC with the flared radiators!
This is how Metra operates, as for Amtrak and BNSF Freights as demonstrated so well in the video, that does not always apply as, all three entities have to manuver around each other. There are roughly 80 metra trains, 6 Amtrak, and 40-60 freights a day
Yes. They use it to get trains from the BRC's Clearing Yard, and from Yard Center on the Villa Grove Sub, to Proviso Yard on the Geneva Sub.
The whole "racetrack" from Chicago to Aurora is a quiet zone, except in certain cases (when trains pass each other near grade crossings, etc).
Well I wouldn't say that, but there are so many crossings and at 79 miles per hour that you couldn't get all the blows out before the next crossing. I lived in La Grange and I don't believe it was a quiet zone but I could be wrong.
Nicely done!
Good video.
Actually might be one of a kind. Even cooler!
its an extra unit used for yard switching with out a cab like a normal loco the reason to have more power for both yard crews and mainline crews(I think)
Nice videos
Cool, thanks for pointing that out :)
I saw gates and lights but no horns NO BLOW ZONE??
I am not into Chicago railfanning and have heard the term "racetrack" used. Exactly where does it start and where does it end? I'd love to film it sometime!
what time where you there till when you left?
what kind of car is the harbor pulling
VERY NICE VID
Does Union Pacific have trackage rights on the IHB Line?
Great video. Is that your bike over there?
so I live in Indiana this trip would be worth going I love trains
Sucks you missed the zephyr
What exactly is a slug,Ive seen them but never could figure it out,excuse my ignorance but had to ask
MrJerbrad no problem. A slug (or road slug) is a locomotive with no engine. It has the traction motors, but the engine leading it gives them the power.
Good question, at 6:50 what kind of car is that locomotive pulling.
Gary Plastek SW1500
thumbs up if you hate quiet zones!
Nice video. When and why did Amtrak convert the F-40 locomotive to cabbage
Around the early 2000s the F40s were replaced by General Electric P40s and P42s, a few shells became Cabbage cars mostly for use on Midwest Corridor services out of Chicago to Detroit, Carbondale and/or Milwaukee.
We have No Blow Zones here and people has lost their lives because of it. One would think they could have heard the train coming, I dont know if they had a radio going or what, but there has been two times by car, and one guy was on foot.
I wonder how quiet zones are allowed? I feel like 4 quadrant gates showed be required if no horns are blown
@RailfanningRulez I got there about 2:30 and left at about 6:30
Nope, I walked in :)
what was hooked up to the harbor belt locomotive never seen something like that before
That is a yard slug. They are used for traction proposes.
What a Rare catch with that Union Pacific head unit SD70MAC with the flared radiators!
Union Pacific has SD70Ms not SD70MACs