A Day with Belt Railway of Chicago #525

Producer: Midwest Video/ Highball

Timeframe: 1997

Locations: Bedford Park, Rockwell Street Yard, Clearing Yard, Nabisco

Length: 1 hour 25 minutes

Source: MVP

Midwest Video Productions had a series, based on Chicago area belt lines. Railroad switching companies, that serve the Chicago area.

Interchange service, that was part of why this city was the rail hub capital of the industry. Transfer train service across the city. Local delivery, as well. Belt Railway of Chicago is one of these railroads.

A Day With Belt Railway of Chicago #525. June 19, 1997. East End Series . Second Program. SW1200. 3 man crew.

Rockwell Street Yard. East End industries

In this episode, Belt #525 is followed as it goes about it’s daily chores. Viewers get a complete look at the job. Dispatcher’s office to locomotive controls. A hands on experience, well close enough for video.

The local ‘Cookie Job’ will switch a Nabisco plant. That will come later. It does have other tasks to perform.

An onboard camera allows us to cabride with the working crew. Additional ground camera augments the views.

Overall image quality, is somewhat disappointing. Considering the year it was shot. Expected more clarity, and better color balance. Inconsistency is the main issue. Although mostly in the good range. Not comparable to other companies videos, recorded during the same years. Probably, the original field equipment that was used.

The edits are often too abrupt. Not really bad. Just not smooth, pro transitions.

Check the too bright Union Pacific locos. Minor example.

Perhaps the imagery could have been improved in post production. Same with edits. Time is money, they say.

Fade to black and voila! Basic information screens.

This is how the program proceeds.

There is full narration. Live employee audio is sometimes heard. All audio is very clear. Enviornmental sounds include those of the trains.

The narrative is informative. At certain times, it falls short. Those familiar with the area, want to know… Which chemical plant?

Some maps are referenced early on. These outline the area visited. Covered.

It is interesting to watch the engineer work the locomotive controls. Listen to the radio chatter of our train. See it back up through diverging trackage.

Sensible editing keeps the show moving along. More critical than most realize!

Rather surprising, as all the turnouts are hand thrown! Even in the classification yard. That’s a different experience in minus 20 degrees wind chill. We are here in June.

The Cookie Job finally makes it to the plant. Tight clearances. This place is massive!

Nabisco is one of their largest plants! Flour, granulated sugar, liquid sugar, corn syrup and packaging products. All move via rail. The Cookie Job is very busy here.

In and out of Rockwell Yard. This is a big part of how the crew on 525 spends the day. Switching the local industries. Nabisco was last…

Pickup some cars and return to Clearing Yard. Park the locomotive, and done!

Some other various road power is encountered. Union Pacific, Conrail… This is Chicago!

A Day with Belt 525. This is an experience. Viewers will come away with the feel of what working a switch job is like.

Making it safely over the route. The routine and somewhat repetitive workload. Paying attention to surroundings and safety. Bits of humour. You may feel a bit tired, at the end of the day!

Good narration. Good audio. Video portion, far below expectations. Sum total; is a well put together program, with the listed faults.

The weak video, does make me hesitant to jump on the remainder, of similar MVP shows. At least, same years Chicago. A bump up, for the uniqueness of this show.

Far from perfect… Have a cookie!

Rating: 3 Stars