Producer: C. Vision
Locations: Chicago area
Timeframe: 2011- 2022
Length: 95 minutes
Source: Marshall Beecher
This was over five years in the making. Canadian National has overtaken much of Chicagoland’s railroad scene. Multiple locations are visited.
A single DVD-R. Detailed Main Chapter Menu. On/ Off narration. On-screen graphics. A basic map of the lines visited.
High-quality C Vision modern-day professional aspects. Razor sharp picture. 16:9 Widescreen. Lively natural audio. Balanced sound.
Don Grant with the limited narrative. Train sounds are plentiful. Soundtrack is tasteful. Not an ear bleeder with excessive horns, etc…
Videography is top-notch by Marshall Beecher. Smooth editing by Chris Laskowski.
Former: IC, GM&O, Grand Trunk, EJ&E. Obviously, the Illinois Central Gulf is included.
Wide variety of both CN and many various offline locomotives. Train symbols are often noted.
The assortment of environmental settings keep the viewing interesting. Those who are unfamiliar with Chicagoland might be surprised. It is not all city/ urban backgrounds.
The majority of the time is on the former EJ&E trackage. I am highlighting the overall variety of everything within this release. There is much more to see in the show.
The former Elgin, Joliet and Eastern trackage starts the show. Far North of the Chicago area. Here, at Lake Zurich Illinois. CN symbol is Q197.
Leafton sub is followed southward to the Matteson sub. Don Grant slightly continually misprounces. Matt-son is correct. Oh well, a local thing.
In West Chicago, the EJ&E crosses Union Pacific. Above, Kansas City Southern and IC units roll by the tower. CN train X342. A mixed consist of general freight.
Matteson sub
Coverage moves over to Joliet. Still on EJ&E Rails.
Q198 at Frankfort with 2116 in front.
Ivanhoe crossing with Indiana Harbor Belt. Note the unobtrusive graphic style.
At Cavanaugh, CN L515 cross low bridge in 2017 action at Grand Calumet River. Train is going to Markham Yard. It’s a good spot with satisfying freights.
Lakefront line of EJ&E. CN SD38 is a former EJ&E unit.
The show crosses over to several nearby Indiana locations. Above, a CN move behind three Illinois Central SD70 units at Griffith, Indiana.
Former Grand Trunk Western
Limited Grand Trunk line coverage. Hayford Crossing and Blue Island.
Illinois Central
January 2014 with a mixed bag of power. Citirail on the lead in Broadview.
Gulf, Mobile and Ohio
L545 a local from Romeoville. Lemont. GT 5012 with a B&LE. This former GM&O line segment is from Joliet to Glenn Yard.
Westbound Amtrak train 303 at the Romoeville Refineries.
BC Rail at Brighton Park CSX crossing with symbol L536. The BC Rail paint scheme appears throughout the program.
Jersey Central Heritage unit at 18th Street in Chicago. CN M337. There are several locomotives in special paint in this show. Also, some quickie CN reletters.
CN/ IC GP38-2 9610 at the 16th Street Tower. CN local train L536. Crossing former Rock Island trackage.
43rd Street is the end of the line for this show. Would have liked to visit Homewood, but it’s alright. Chicagoland is huge.
CN In and Around Chicagoland- Volume Two
A contemporary tour of Canadian National trains operating around Chicago. Avoids most of the overused hotspots. Giving viewers a fresh perspective.
The emphasis on trainwatching results in an easy to watch program. Railfans of the current scene should enjoy this very much. Model Railroaders shall see plenty of graffiti (ugh!) freight cars. Many at slower speeds.
All in all, this is an excellent release by C. Vision Productions. It is a quick pace, and viewers will probably want even more!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 