CN near Chicago, busy and diverse

[greyhounds]

I commute on the CN (old Soo) into Chicago. Today I was able to get on Metra train #105 that left C.U.S. at 1:25 PM. This be a good thing. This time of year my inbound ride is mostly in darkness and my homebound trip is in total darkness. #105 ran in the bright light and I could see.

1) banging over the "J" south of Mundeline an empty hopper train with an IC unit was half way around the curve comming off the "J" onto the CN. I have no idea why hoppers were going north.

2) at Mundeline a southbound mixed freight was split appart. Suposidly he had air problems (temp was about 4 F). Had power on both ends.

3) north of Mundeline, at Prairie Crossing, a Wisconsin Central SD45 was working old ore jennies in aggregate service.

4) I got off at Lake Villa. Holding just south of the station on the other track were some stacks. Holding just north of the station was another SB mixed freight. I remarked to the trainman that this was "a damn busy railroad". He said: "It sure is."

5) I drove north on Illinois rt#83 toward home. Just as I turned off 83 that Wisconsin Central SD45 with those mty ore jennies scooted by going back north.

Oh, and I forgot the CP grain train on the old MILW east of River Grove.

That's a lot of railfanning on the journey from work. It'll be nice when the days get longer and I can see this stuff regularly.

But I do call for E. Hunter Harrison's head. We was 15 minutes late into Lake Villa because of the interferance caused by that freight with air problems. He should have personally prevented that. I'll bet that he is such a bad guy that he won't even write personal apology letters to those of us on the train.

Ken

[jeaton]

Ken

On number 1, northbound empty hoppers, coal I presume. I am intrigued. I wonder if anyone has an idea what the move might be for.

Jay

[Anonymous]

That hopper train could of been an empty ore train from Gary. There are a few Gary all-rails which will take the EJE between Gary and Vernon Hills.

[wcfan4ever]

I remember when the WC rock trains only used to run in summer. Now they run almost year round it seams. Funny how they purchased the CN cars for the service and now CN got them back...no need for repainting!!...lol!