Just train pictures and train stories

The back of the new Ravenswood Metra Station, now completed:

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As soon as Track 1 is ready for service, this station will open, hopefully soon.
 
The Metra train going in CUS North:

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If you look closely, you can see another Metra locomotive on Track 1.
 
Ogilive Transportation Center (Track 14):

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Tracks 12 and 13 are open. They are waiting to recieve inbound trains.
 
This railroad crossing is on Canal, 2 blocks south of Ogilive:

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A little bit of information about this crossing-- the larger cross bucks has WCH Type 2 e-bells on the gate masts, while the standalone cross bucks have WCH mechanical bells. The WCH bell in this picture works; the other one on the left does not.
 
This railroad crossing is on Canal, 2 blocks south of Ogilive:

IMG_20141215_085307_909_zpsydu0m1el.jpg


A little bit of information about this crossing-- the larger cross bucks has WCH Type 2 e-bells on the gate masts, while the standalone cross bucks have WCH mechanical bells. The WCH bell in this picture works; the other one on the left does not.

Too bad you didn't get all of the blue sign into the pic, then you'd know who to call about the problem. ;)
 
Too bad you didn't get all of the blue sign into the pic, then you'd know who to call about the problem. ;)

I know, I know. I'm actually going to bring it to Amtrak's attention the next time I head downtown, so it can get fixed or replaced with another bell. A inoperable bell is not what that crossing needs, given how large it is.
 
The 2:48 PM Metra @ Ravenswood:

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Now I need to get one of those MP36's in action. And one of the BNSF Winnebagos, as well.

And at 3:12 PM, the Metra into downtown:

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That back bell is a little louder than usual.
 
One of the Metra MP36's in action:

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Another photo of an MP36 Metra locomotive:

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Union Pacific does not allow these on their tracks due to their design. Metra can only use the F-40's on the UP tracks, and they are over 40 years old.

A Metra F-40 going into CUS North:

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My train in the middle of track switching:

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These can be a tad rough if one is standing in the back and not expecting these.
 
Rush hour at Ogilvie:

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Not often I see that many Metra locos ready to leave.
 
Wow, I did not realize Chicago had that many trains.

There was an article in the paper about how well Minneapolis/St. Paul's new train (light rail) system is working. I will see if I can find it -- it was written about a month ago. In the meantime, here's a picture of ours:

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Do we ever. It's not just Metra and CTA we have here. Amtrak is here, too. And as are freight trains who use our freight yards south of Union Station. I'm trying to get a picture of the Hiawatha Service, which is proving tricky to do. And also, I just may try and get that freight yard by US Cellular Field sometime next year. And I'll see if I can get the South Shore Line, as well.
 
We have Amtrak too. We had another train line that ran from Stillwater to Duluth (about a 3-hour drive by car, not sure how long it was by train) but that was discontinued some years ago. It was called the Minnesota Zephyr.
 
We have Amtrak too. We had another train line that ran from Stillwater to Duluth (about a 3-hour drive by car, not sure how long it was by train) but that was discontinued some years ago. It was called the Minnesota Zephyr.

That was quite some time ago. Doesn't the Empire Builder stop through there? I happen to know which line they use, so getting a picture of that shouldn't be hard to do. Just need to time it. And go to Glencoe, where they stop at.
 
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