Producer: Kalmbach
Locations: Chicago area
Timeframe: 2017
Length: 57 minutes
Sources: many
A Trains Magazine / Kalmbach show by David Lassen features a contemporary tour of Chicago and vicinity. Modern video standards. Many locations. Presentation is a documentary style.
A single DVD. Professional video. A mixture of live environmental audio and music. The trains are abundant, although not really focused individually but as part of the overall operations.
Main Chapter Menu. A detailed sub-chapter menu for Hotspots. On-screen graphics. Maps are included. Bonus footage after the show is not narrated. The narration is by Drew Halverson.
To the Trains… 👉
Chicago Union Station is the initial stop to see. A short tour of the remodeled interior. This is Amtrak’s hub. Metra is the local Commuter service. Runs hundreds of trains on eleven lines. Diesel and Electric routes. Assorted suburban stations are shown.
A newer Metra livery is a nice improvement over the original colors.
CREATE Projects emphasize upgrades on trackage and traffic in the Chicago vicinity. Improved efficiencies and eliminate grade crossings. Union Pacific 7886 hauls auto racks through Bellwood. CREATE project added new trackage here. Also, a flyover was constructed to connect with Indiana Harbor Belt.
Hot Spots features a half dozen prime railroad locations. Roosevelt Road is legendary. Amtrak/ Metra Yard. LaSalle Street Station for ex: Rock Electric lines are ex: Illinois Central. The CTA serves via EL trains. Amtrak departs Union Station.
BNSF Racetrack has 3 mainlines on former CB&Q. The old Burlington Route line has plentiful freights and passenger. LaVernge Station in Berwyn is at the end of Clyde Yard in Cicero. Check the Canadian National line crossing above.
Hinsdale Highlands station on BNSF.
JB Tower is one of the few old towers still working. West Chicago. UP Geneva sub on ex: CNW. CN as well. Former EJ&E route.
Union Pacific Double-stack train. Led by UP 8835 (SD70). Trailing units; 8043 and 2581. This move is on ex: CNW rails at the diamonds. In fact, this route is shown in Western suburbs such as Glen Ellyn.
Blue Island has the famous 5 bridges. Also, Metra crosses on ex: Rock Island tracks. CSX and IHB are seen here. Canadian Pacific 8925 / 6229 ease past the camera at this hotspot. Note the bridges ahead.
CSX Intermodal crosses a Blue Island Bridge. Former B&OCT rails.
Matteson has a newer connection on 2 tracks. Links former IC with EJ&E rails. Even has a Railfan overlook.
Chicago
A modern overview of the Chicago area railroad scene. A high quality production. Actual show ends at 57 minutes. Some outtake footage follows.
Both freight and passenger trains are covered. Locations are clearly defined. Narration keys on locations, operations and good Railfan spots. Most trains simply roll by the camera.
Coverage is weighted to Passenger ops in and near Chicago. Freight focus on the East- West lines of CNW and Burlington.
Limited or zero coverage on some North- South and Southside towards Indiana. Transfer road of Belt Railway is not seen. That being said, even our host mentions too much to get in a single show. Well, it could have been a little longer.
This release is excellent for what is included. Modern era Railfans should find this enjoyable and informative. Great tips on places to view trains.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 