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Need Advice: Chicago & Gary IN Photo Trip

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • 8 posts
Need Advice: Chicago & Gary IN Photo Trip
Posted by BlueMountain on Friday, July 19, 2019 3:44 PM

I'm taking a photo trip to Chicago via Gary Indiana.  Any suggestions for good photo spots would be appriciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, July 19, 2019 4:22 PM

Gary has some amazing industrial ruins that make excellent photographs, but be aware, the area is quite dangerous.

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The abandoned churches in Gary are also very spooky and make excellent subjects.

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My wife was born and raised in Gary, and I do not like to go back there with her.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Saturday, July 20, 2019 8:02 AM

To get the best photo, you'll need a time machine.  Wink. As Liz Allen has said "it's all crap now"

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, July 21, 2019 8:39 AM

Not really much to see or take photo's around Gary In. anymore.....but...when leaving Gary and headed to Chgo......Make sure You take the Chgo Skyway to get there. You will go over one of the highest bridges in the whole area, if not state. The bridge should be obvious why it is so high. Very busy corridor for shipping in the Great Lakes region in the 50's and on:

https://www.chicagoskyway.org/the-skyway/

Great for photos......

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, July 21, 2019 9:42 AM

You can do a pretty good look around using Google Street View. You might be able to find an exit or two off the Interstate where you can make an easy on-off and perhaps grab a few photos before arousing suspicion.

There are a lot of commercial businesses and larger steel complexes and many of those have their own security people keeping an eye out for casual photographers and the general attitude is, no cameras welcome here. From what I've read the railroad police are pretty active in the area to discourage photographers.

 Gary2 by Edmund, on Flickr

It appears to me that several of the named city streets are now strictly for steel plant access. You won't get far on those.

Otherwise, this is pretty much what you have to look forward to:

 Gary1 by Edmund, on Flickr

The several times I visited the area I was in the company of a few folks that were familiar with Chicago and environs. Of course, that was many moons ago. Times have changed.

Good Luck, Ed

 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, July 21, 2019 11:59 AM

zstripe
....https://www.chicagoskyway.org/the-skyway/....

Interesting to read of the purchase of the Skyway by Canadian pension funds - my tax dollars at work, I guess.

D'ya think they'd give me a "loaner" transponder?

Wayne

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, July 21, 2019 12:55 PM

A great photo taking spot for railfans is in Homewood Illinois in the south suburbs along the CN route (formerly ICRR) into and out of Markham Yard. The Village of Homewood has set up a special viewing area.

Also worth noting is Ping Tom Park in the Chinatown area at 18th Street between Canal Street and Clark Street. From the park, you can see trains crossing the South Branch of the Chicago River over the PRR vertical lift bridge at 21st Street and on the St. Charles Air Line across the bascule bridge at 16th Street.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Sunday, July 21, 2019 7:18 PM
One of my favorite places was at the north end of Cline ave. It will turn alongside the old NYC main and get off the next exit. Park in the Inland Steel office parking lot in the wye caused by the IHB, CSX, EJE, NW lines. Also try the Amtrak station at the north end of Calumet Ave. The best place is DOlton Junction in Dolton. Off of 147th st. Right behind the police station. Doesn't get much safer than that

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