Producer: Diverging Clear
Location: Dolton
Year: 1993
Length: 45 minutes
Source: Kurt Jensen
Kurt Jensen has been a regular with Diverging Clear for years. He visited Dolton Junction in 1993. This release is under their Heritage Series label.
A DVD-R in a slimline case. Chapter Menu. Brief Map reference. Site Diagram.
Mary McPherson is the Narrator. Live sound from the microphone. The audio has the steel wheels, as they hit the crossings clearly.
Video quality is consistent for a 1990s era release. Colors are better than average. Picture ranges from good to very good. Overall, a little soft on a modern HD screen. Historical value.
A short visit to the Belt Railway at Clearing Yard. This opens this program.Viewing the older power in use, at that time. BRC #420 is an Alco S-6 above. Consider it as bonus footage.
CSX had two main paint schemes seen commonly, at this time. The above was known as the Racetrack scheme. Considered an improvement, over previous paint jobs. Better visibility and aesthetics. SD40-2 above.
The traffic for CSX is on B&OCT rails. Barr Yard is the focal point for CSX. Barr is a former Chessie System yard.
Conrail GP15, on ex: Pennsylvania rails. Regular moves with hot metal pot train.
Interlocking Tower visit here. Armstrong Levers and the boards are shown. Of course, this was all removed years ago.
Indiana Harbor Belt SW1500 pairs are viewed from the Tower. Viewers will notice, plentiful IHB moves. Kurt’s visit sees good interiors of the Interlocking.
Several freights are viewed from inside the Tower. Union Pacific paint has replaced Missouri Pacific, at this point in time. MoPac was infamous, for blocking auto traffic!
Amtrak’s Hoosier State moves slowly at Dolton Crossing. Producer Mary McPherson, is a real world Amtrak Conductor. A knowledgeable Railfan. She loves trains, both new and vintage.
A new day or two. Back on the ground. IHB, CSX, Amtrak’s Hoosier State, and more in this show.
The CSX GP15 model was the modern replacement for earlier Electromotive GP 7/9 units. You’ll see other Railroads using them. Note, this was the earlier choice for the CSX colors.
IHB dominates with transfer runs. Variety of EMD switchers. All in uniform paint.
The NW2 IHB trio is interesting! The 8824 in the lead. These Harbor switchers, ran the Chicago area for decades. Various models and paint schemes over the years, in daily transfer service.
Check the old Clinchfield hopper. It’s been re-lettered for WC. That’s Wisconsin Central. Note, that it remains free of Graffiti. Been in service for many years. A rolling piece of history.
This aspect of Railfanning. To be trackside. Witness, original parts of old Railroads. Unmolested and in factory paint. This used to be common. Ancient 40′ boxcars with billboard logos, were my favorites. Whatever the case, one main reason, veteran Railfans’ often prefer no graffiti. We could see the history, roll right in front of us. That was a blast!
CP M636 4711, leads this Westbound Intermodal.
Santa Fe Warbonnets. 537 on the point. Newer Red/ Silvers, with the Blue/ Yellow units. Double stack train.
Chicago NorthWestern finally appears! 7004 leads 5 unit Lashup.
In 1993, a caboose is nearly extinct. Conrail does provide a dependable one. The Hot Metal Train.
Dolton Junction 1993
Kurt Jensen has a nice time capsule of a few days in 1993. Dolton Junction is a Hot Spot. The brief Belt Railway visit is a great bonus. Tower visits are always a plus.
Videography skills are excellent. He is a reliable source. Audio is problem free. Narrative is fine. Colors are good. A bit soft on an HD big screen. Typical for these shows. Historical value. Overall, a solid show of it’s time.
Rating: 4 Stars
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