Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 49: April 10, 2006

[Anonymous]

I want a write-in ballot so I can vote for the South Shore pic. Diesel after diesel after diesel gets really stale. The guys should take the Hiawatha again and cruise around Chicago's L, check out the Skokie Swift, focus (no pun) on the South Shore, and try Metra electric. Those are railroads too, y'know.

Also, why the hack from Chicago Union Station to Randolph street? It's a really nice walk, even when the temp is 35, as it was when I did it in January to ride both South Shore and Metra electric.

Oh yeah, also rode the Hiawatha for a jaunt to Milwaukee and back. to tour the Miller brewery. The "quiet" cars were great! Wish we had 'em here in SoCal on Metrolink or the Amtrak Surfliners.

[Anonymous]

Being a new member and also being a retired railroader of 37 years as a train dispatcher i enjoyed this new adventure very much and Erik and Mike i like your picture very much but i think Erik gets my vote account most of my train movements was with freight trains.

Roger

[espeefoamer]

I went with Mike's photo .I really liked the sweeping s curve and the solid coal train.Also it was shot while on a South Shore outing.The CSS&SB is on my short list of favorite railroads.And the photo was taken in my native state.Plus the competing photo was shot on the hated stUPid railroad.[}:)]

[wcnut]

Mike got my vote this week. Although, Erik, if that is the I39/Hwy 51 overpass I should have voted for you for not getting any cars in the picture!!!

Both were excellent shots, however, like many others the S curve got me. I love the flatland skyscrappers, but the gentle curves to me this time.

Greg
"wcnut"

[JCS319]

I like Mike's shot of the NS lead unit paired with a BNSF unit. Could it be a preview of the future?

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Richard Schacht

In regards to your question about NIPSCO cars on NS, they're taking them to interchange with UP to send to Powder River for refill.
My sister and I were very interested in your photo of the South Shore. We lived in Michigan City for 50+ years before moving to southern Utah in 2004 and our Dad was a conductor on the old orange cars. He retired in January, 1979 after 34 years of faithful service.

Good to hear about your time in Michigan City, and your dad's service on the CSS&SB.

Alas, the coal train was loaded, so the mystery sill holds: why a westbound loaded NIPSCO train?

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PacificEclectic


Also, why the hack from Chicago Union Station to Randolph street? It's a really nice walk, even when the temp is 35, as it was when I did it in January to ride both South Shore and Metra electric.

Owing to some CP trackwork east of Lake, we had five miles of 25 MPH slow orders, which put us about 10 behind into CUS, at 9:40AM. Since the South Shore departure was at 10:00AM, we really had no choice than for all six of us to pile into a cab. You know the clowns who pile into a circus car? That was us.

We did hoof it back to CUS on our return, though.

[Anonymous]

A tough choice, but Erik's did it for me. I like the angle it's taken from and it is a more interesting photo with more details and things to it.

[ValorStorm]

I didn't think the choice was a tough one at all. In fact, I'm shocked that by early morning on the 12th Mike's photo is eliminating Erik's (66%-34%). They're both good photos. But WOW! Everyone seems to be voting politically!
It's our right to choose based on any critiria we want ("My favorite RR," "I hate the UP," etc.). But in the case of this week's contest it's REALLY gotten outa' hand!

[Anonymous]

Both appealing shots just that Mike's is a little more interesting to my eyes. Someone mentioned they were glad that the weekly contest is going again and I would echo that sentiment. This gives me something to look forward to every week.

[Anonymous]

Good photos - Congratulations to both of you. Just had to go with Mike's photo this
time. Always look forward to see what will be offered the next week.

[Anonymous]

WoW-I Thought it would be nearly a tie.
I voted for Mike's 'cause I love that snake-like twist of his photo's train BUT i was also quite taken with that second train coming along at the back in Erik's photo - a tough choice!

[Anonymous]

I wish Mike had submitted the photo of the South Shore train. Moire notwithstanding, it was a great action shot and something out of the ordinary.

[Anonymous]

The Nipsco train goes to Wheatfield via the IHB, it takes the Kankakee Secondary, south across the CSX ex B&OCT(Calumet Tower-East Chicago)then again over the diamonds of the CN ex GTW. At Schneider the train heads east to Wheatfield, got it?
Craig along the South Shore Cloud
Michigan City

[gannbb1]

Mike gets my vote. S curve far more interesting than tangent track stretching all the way back to the beginning of time. Also liked the limited depth of field. There was just enough info in the background to understand the main subject: the locomotive.

As for the old orange cars on the CSS&SB. Way back when (1970 or so) I worked for the IC and commuted on employee pass from Homewood. In the late evenings the SouthBend would depart Randolph street behind the IC. Both would run express to Kinsington. Because the CSS&SB cars were faster, if you were working late and missed the IC, you could bribe the CSS&SB conductor to ride to Kensington, step off his train and across the platform to the IC! Learned that trick from Slim Ellsworth in case anyone out there knew him.

Ahh well! glad you got to make the trip.