Franklin, . It's good to have another J fan on here, now I'm not the odd one out from all the WC fans that we will be joining under the CN umbrella on Sunday. My bad, CN only gets 4 SW1200s and two slugs, not half of each, and CN also gets the SW1001s Gary Railway will own the EJ&E trackage east of Buchanan Street in Gary.
Alec, I'll try looking for a map of Barr Yard when I get the chance. I can tell you a very important street to remember, Halsted Street (IL Route 1). Halsted goes over IHB's Blue Island Yard and Barr Yard within a half mile of each other. To get to these yards take I-80 or I-294 to the NB exit for Halsted Street. Going northbound on Halsted, you will first pass over IHB's Blue Island Yard. Shortly after going over Blue Island Yard you will go over Barr Yard. Halsted goes over the two yards and there are sidewalks on both bridges to stand on, allowing for one to legally get photos without going onto railroad property. I strongly discourage attempting to go into either yard, as IHB and CSX police both are known to be very aggresive.
Also of interest is Homewood Yard, which is easily reached by taking I-80 or I-294 to the SB exit for Halsted Street, then turning right at the next traffic light after getting off. This will take you directly towards Woodcrest Shop. You can then turn either way on the street just before the yard and explore the area. All three yards are better in the AM hours. What I like to do is visit the three yards in the morning, then go to Blue Island or Dolton Junction in the afternoon.
Also if you want to know where NRE Dixmoor is just let me know and I'll PM you with the address and directions on how to get permission to take photos in the yard. That yard again is located practically next door to Blue Island and Barr Yards and again is best in the AM hours.
I just found out that NJT has two jet powered snow melters. I never knew they had them, and I've never seen them before. Let the hunt begin!
Saw the weirdest thing today... The battle of the Class Is/Shortlines/Trucking. There is a local Toys R Us warehouse over in Flanders, that is served by the Morristown & Erie. A truck marked for TRU was pulling a CSX intermodal container, on a BNSF trailer. Bizarre, especially for a BNSF trailer to be out in Jersey. Then again, BNSF locos (GEVOs) are not that rare on NS trains in Jersey, but I have yet to see one because they are not in my area.
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Robby, Ive been on Mapquest for a while and found Blue Island Jct, where all of the bridges are, but cant find Barr Yard. If I found it, it wasnt labeled so Im not really sure. Can you link me a mapquest aerial of the yard?
Alec
Right, well there was lots of neat talk of the J so lets start that up again. I shot the 322 and 306 switching Joliet 2 weeks ago. Who knows where all of the EJE freight cars, MOW equipment, and switchers will be heading on the Gary RR?
so how many threads have been started now?