Search

Does anyone have any info on the whereabouts of 148? I heard that it returned to the UP lines last year, and I saw it one day in early December 2012 pulling an outbound UP-W Line train into the Melrose Park station. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it since nor have I heard of it running on either the ...

On May 1st, as I was filming the morning rush on the Union Pacific West Line at the Melrose Park station, a track-dasher with a skateboard, skateboarded halfway down the platform opposite from the one that an outbound train would stop on before running the rest of the way, as the gates were down and...

While filming Metra trains, I've noticed that some trains are led by two locomotives instead of one. This usually happens during the rush periods and on weekends. I've seen it on just about every Metra line, and with every locomotive model including the MP36s. Some trips commonly have two locomotive...

As of today, 6 of the 1500 series MU cars are sitting at 47th Street Yard on the Rock with all Metra logos painted over awaiting whatever journey lies ahead. I saw these cars while on board a CTA bus and wondered why they were there. Now that I see the reason why, I guess it's time to get as many p...

Yesterday, as I was filming the morning rush period on the Metra BNSF Line at the Brookfield station, an inbound express train passed through the station, the leading cab car sounding its bell as usual. The steel bells on most, if not all, Metra cab cars were manufactured by EMD, and the sound that ...

I have wanted to film Metra trains at similar stations, such as Highlands, Congress Park, and Hanson Park, but what went through my mind as I saw the faces on the crew of UP-W 509 has made me think twice. I always follow the rules regarding railroad property, and I respect these rules, but I am won...

I'll miss those 2200s as well. Too bad that they will not be refurbished a second time. A second refurbishment probably would have saved them and kept them around for another 15-20 years.

I am planning on making another montage video, this one focusing entirely on inbound UP West Line Metra trains tomorrow, and just like a video I made last Sunday involving the outbound trips, I want to film the trains from different locations. Last Sunday, I filmed UP-W Train #509 from the island pl...

Adopting a station is a good idea for community groups. Many of Metra's suburban stations are owned and/or operated by local communities, but there are many that could use a good scrubbing now and again. Adopting rail cars and locomotives is a different matter. Metra wouldn't want volunteers climbi...

Some people are such idiots. From the article: "Yet a slew of emails received by the Tribune on Monday raised new concerns, [including] cattle-car atmosphere that is not conducive to reading or even gazing out windows" Yeah, this is a tourist train, bring a novel or look at the back of fa...

Earlier this year, Metra raised its fares by as much as 30% to help erase a $53 million budget deficit. I do not know how long it will take for the higher price of one-way, 10-ride, and monthly tickets to cover the deficit, but in the meantime, I think Metra should consider some other methods that c...

On the evening of Sunday 8/19, while waiting for an inbound UP-W Line train at the Bellwood station, I took several photos of the new platforms and the new stationhouse. New right-of-way has been laid down next to the new north platform at the station, along with new signals, and the edge of the new...

The bridge over the Highlands station on BNSF is a long-time railfan favorite, and afternoons are by far the best times to shoot trains there. Keep in mind that the station is closed on weekends, but fortunately, the Hinsdale station is only a 1/2 mile west. Also, the Roosevelt Road overpass is ano...

It has been a little over a year since I became a railfan once again, after a 14-year hiatus, and it has been almost two months since I received my camcorder, which I purchased just to film trains in my area. This weekend, I am using a Metra weekend pass to ride at least three undisclosed lines, and...

I recently saw 5000 series cars on the Green Line, on their way to 63rd/Cottage Grove. It would be nice to see these cars on the Red Line, and especially on the Blue Line, because their extra space will accommodate travelers to and from O'Hare. If the CTA's plan for the cars is to keep them on the e...