BCOL 4642 on Matteson Loop
With flanges squealing, BC Rail C44-9WL 4642 strains uphill around the Matteson Loop with a unit sand train from Wisconsin. The steeply-graded, sharply-curved loop has wyes at each end, and connects CN's former EJ&E (here, the Matteson Sub) with its former IC main line, (here, the Chicago Sub) forming a critical link in CN's Chicago-area bypass route. Eastbound trains on the "J" taking the southbound IC, and northbounders on the IC going west on the "J" cross over themselves at the loop, giving a little bit of mountain railroading flavor to the flatland suburbia of Matteson.
BCOL 4642 on Matteson Loop
With flanges squealing, BC Rail C44-9WL 4642 strains uphill around the Matteson Loop with a unit sand train from Wisconsin. The steeply-graded, sharply-curved loop has wyes at each end, and connects CN's former EJ&E (here, the Matteson Sub) with its former IC main line, (here, the Chicago Sub) forming a critical link in CN's Chicago-area bypass route. Eastbound trains on the "J" taking the southbound IC, and northbounders on the IC going west on the "J" cross over themselves at the loop, giving a little bit of mountain railroading flavor to the flatland suburbia of Matteson.