Producer: Michael Pirelli
Timeframe: 1999- 2000
Locations: Chicago Southside + Indiana
Length: 63 minutes
Source: Machines of Iron
Take a tour of 13 Chicago area Railroad towers. These are mainly inside visits. Southside area. All the way down to Hammond, IN. These old towers, among the last ones operating.
Each tower has a map with trackage. An exterior view of the structure. Shots of the boards and levers.
A Chapter Menu is provided. A choice of on/ off narration. Smooth edits. Well paced.
To the Trains… 👉
Camerawork is steady. Some views are negatively affected by dirty windows. These units are going to Willow Springs.
This local with ; Grand Trunk and Canadian National power. Rolls on former: Gulf, Mobile & Ohio trackage, to nearby Glenn Yard.
The narrative is limited. Rich Melvin does a fine job. Script is fine overall.
Corwith Tower is an original Santa Fe. Serves BNSF here.
Iowa Interstate departs the old Rock Island, Burr Oak Yard. Vermont Street in Blue Island.
State Line Tower has a long history. Once had over 200 levers! An original hotspot.
A CSX locomotive leads through, Dolton. This location is action packed!!
Ash Street takes the cake, for a small tower. It is electrically operated. Chicago River is nearby.
Conrail paint still appears, as at Calumet Tower. East Chicago. SD40-2 on a light move.
This Norfolk Southern on a light engine move is at State Line Tower. On former N&W trackage.
Canadian Pacific with Soo Line, at Blue Island Crossing.
Plenty of action at Hohman Tower.
Hohman Avenue crosses into Hammond, Indiana. An Indiana Harbor Belt transfer run to and from Gibson Yard. Hohman Tower is now closed.
Chicagoland Tower Views
Viewers get a chance to tour some of the last operating towers in the Chicagoland area. An interesting trip, which includes some locations that are uncommon. Some passenger trains of Amtrak and Metra are included.
A worthy addition to any train video collection. Just a bit different!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 