And no, railfans have no chance of getting in. Theres at least 2 guards constantly patrolling the area. And they have already made it clear that railfans are not allowed on the property. Nobody really is. They hav theft problems.
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
NRE also owns and operates the plant (its original facility) in Dixmoor near I-57 and Sibley (147th St.). Some of the locomotives at that plant have been there for a while.
eolafan Drove through Silvis, IL on my way home from IA last night (I80 eastbound accross the Mississippi River was closed, resulting in a detour) and spotted the old CRI&P shops (now Chrome Locomotive Co.) in Silvis from the highway....WOW, they had what seemed like a couple hundred used units sitting in and around their shops but I was going too fast on the bridge to get a photo or to stop. Anybody have any news of goings on there or any recent photos? What a trip that would make if they allowed a railfan to visit the facility!
Drove through Silvis, IL on my way home from IA last night (I80 eastbound accross the Mississippi River was closed, resulting in a detour) and spotted the old CRI&P shops (now Chrome Locomotive Co.) in Silvis from the highway....WOW, they had what seemed like a couple hundred used units sitting in and around their shops but I was going too fast on the bridge to get a photo or to stop. Anybody have any news of goings on there or any recent photos? What a trip that would make if they allowed a railfan to visit the facility!
That's now owned by National Railroad Equipment:
http://www.nationalrailway.com/silvis.asp
They build new Genset switchers in addition to rebuilding and remanufacturing older units. they seem to be holding their own in the downturn, unlike some of their competitors. CEECO, for instance, who IINM were the biggest shop on the West Coast just closed..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
I suspect all loco rebuilders are in a world of hurt right now. Most railroads are having sigificant downturns in traffic volume making the need for lease units or extra power nonexistant. NS in chicago is running 13 trains a day when it was running over 30 previously. The rebuilder off I-57 at 147th St. in Chicago has a full yard also. Everythging from early switchers to ex Metra engines. Provided they can hang in there and have the funding now is probably a good time to increas inventory for parts alone.
Chrome Locomotive has been gone for nearly 20 years, I forgot what they call it now MPE or something.
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