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New Cats Auto Parts ~ Western Avenue ~ Blue Island, Illinois
Nikon D7500, Sigma 18-300, ISO 110, f/11.0, 31mm, 1/500s
New Cats Auto Parts ~ Western Avenue ~ Blue Island, Illinois
Nikon D7500, Sigma 18-300, ISO 500, f/6.0, 155mm, 1/1600s
On a clear and brisk October morning in Chicagoland, CSX ET44AH 3296 pounds the diamonds at Blue Island Jct with eastbound manifest M647 (Clearing Yard/Chicago, IL - Rice Yard/Waycross, GA)
This angle offers a good view of 4 of the 5 bridges.
With eight tracks crossing Broadway Street, Blue Island Junction is described as one of the most fascinating rail-watching hotspots in the Midwest. Just south of five steel bridges that cross the Cal-Sag Channel, about 90 trains roll through the junction daily.
Happy Halloween! In this throwback shot, a BNSF H2 pumpkin Dash-9 leads a warbonnet unit and assorted freight cars through Blue Island, IL.
A pair of ubiquitous gevo's grab the last golden rays of ice cold sun at the always interesting Blue Island junction.
Another view from one of my high school Sunday morning excursions. Nobody was around so, I helped myself to views of the E-units resting over the weekend.
A BNSF Dash-9 wearing the H2 scheme trundles over the diamonds at Blue Island, IL as it leads an autorack train on a crisp autumn morning.
A trio of UP EMDs are pounding the diamonds as they lead a manifest through Blue Island, IL. Blue Island is a favorite amoung railfans and features 5 bridges that carry the tracks over Calumet Sag Channel.
IAIS BUSW shoves its second cut of cement hoppers to Buzzi Unicem up the connection track at La Salle, Illinois. The I&M Canal on the right opened in 1848, predating the arrival of the Rock Island by only a few years.
Second section of #500 crosses the diamonds on its way to Canada. These C424's were not very common, especially leading in 1994. Power 4211.4243,5532.
IHB GA3 pounds the ex-GTW at Blue Island Junction with #3861 leading a GP40-2 and a cut of mixed freight.
My memories of the late seventies are a bit clouded. However, I really don't remember seeing these big Alcos in the Chicago area too often. Maybe this one took a wrong turn at Mingo Junction? Zigged when it should have zagged? Regardless, I'm sure I was happy to see it in Blue Island, Illinois back in February of 1978.
Some pigeons scatter as a southbound Grand Trunk Western freight rattles over one of the bridges spanning the Calumet Sag Channel into Blue Island, Illinois, on December 3, 1988. The truss bridge on the left, no longer used, is cut off from the rest of the rail system.
IAIS BUSW arrives LaSalle, Illinois to set out a massive cut of empty cement hoppers for Buzzi Unicem. A pair of GP38-2s brought the train up from Utica, a rarity for this job in modern times.
I hadn't been to Blue Island since the crossing tower was in place (>10 years?) and glad to say it is still a prime spot for variety. I was happy to see this Iowa Interstate freight on the IHB/CSX.
For some reason, in my twisted mind this scene reminds me of Harry Schmerler, your singing Ford man. If you're from the Chicago area and over 50, you probably remember this guy? But anyway, here we are in Blue Island back in 1976, and a new (bankruptcy blue) era is beginning for the Rock Island. Unfortunately, we all know what the outcome was. Interesting times indeed.
The AAPRCO special backs onto the Metra electric Blue Island branch. The afternoon of rare mileage was beginning.
Yep, after two years of prophesy's about it's coming demise, IHB 3861 is still kicking it. Here it is leading BP2 with two other UP EMDs at 139th. As per SOP, it took them a while to get out of Blue Island, even with everything lined up in their favor. I sure wish they would have gotten out maybe 30-minutes earlier. But something is better than nothing, I suppose.