Trains.com

Trackside Lounge Locked

68708 views
1287 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, December 21, 2007 7:43 PM
 TimChgo9 wrote:
 CopCarSS wrote:
Hi Carl,

After looking at Tim's shot, I definately want to hit the Western Springs station. I love the classic look of it!

Hey Chris, (and anyone else who tags along with him)  if you're gonna be in the neighborhood, look me up..... Cool [8D]  I am not too far from the station...

Just tell us how to reach you, Tim!  Maybe we could bowl some spaghetti or something some evening this coming week!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Friday, December 21, 2007 2:44 PM
Sign - Ditto [#ditto] I can think of three or four of Chris's photos that I'd like to have that way...
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Friday, December 21, 2007 1:20 PM

....Nope, Cannonball......Can't put it on the ceiling in this house....All my radient heat cables  are in the ceiling so can't fasten anything up there. 

I did have a Corvette many, many moons ago....as a pretty young fellow....A current one {at the time}, '57 black with the silver concave on each side.  Both tops.....Traded that for a '59 Chevrolet Impala convertible with 348 engine and 3 two's.  The only downside, it was Turboglide with 3.08 axle.  But boy would it fly on top end.  Actually too much.  When I think of it now...I kind of get the chills.

But the more I think of it....I'd like to have a properly matted /framed pic. {of Chris' Denver Depot}, with a pic. light on it.  That would really make a striking bright and colorful image....!  Just like it does when viewed on the monitor here at night...{to get full contrast}, and enlarged to full screen.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Friday, December 21, 2007 12:09 PM
 CopCarSS wrote:

Hi Carl,

 After looking at Tim's shot, I definately want to hit the Western Springs station. I love the classic look of it!

 

Hey Chris, (and anyone else who tags along with him)  if you're gonna be in the neighborhood, look me up..... Cool [8D]  I am not too far from the station...

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Cordes Jct Ariz.
  • 1,305 posts
Posted by switch7frg on Friday, December 21, 2007 10:17 AM

  Quentin;  remember, if you got or had a Corvette a train brought it.

     If you are a celing gazer  while composing a letter or a post you would know where to put the picture . LOL

                           Just kidding ya'   HEH HEH

                                                   Respectfully, Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, December 20, 2007 8:15 PM
Just heard from Willy, who has a physics exam to study for tomorrow.  He's done really well on the rest of them, but sounds like he's ready for his winter break.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:44 PM

.....Yes, I agree with Dan, that station shot is a real beauty.  A poster size print of that with proper matting and framing, and a picture light, would be an eye stopper.  It sure would get my attention.

Wish I had room for something like that in our home office here but the space is already taken.  { 2/3'rds by Corvettes....Ha}.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:38 PM

Thanks, Noah! It disappeared from the Premier Collection for a brief time, but has since been reinstated. Just getting shots into the gallery is a really tough chore (I'm now 2 for about 30) so being one of the 82 of the "best of the best" is quite an honor. I hope no one minds, but I had to post this one full size again just because I'm so elated!:

Thought I'd share this one as well (another one from the Pentaxian Night Shoot):

I think I need to work on the post-processing of this one a little more to see if I can get the "Travel by Train" to stick out a little more. Still, I think I like it.

P.S. Dan I just saw your post. You must've been typing at the same time as me. Thanks for the kind words! Oddly enough, I don't print a lot of my shots. I really need to change that and start hanging some of them up. I think I feel a project for the new year!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:36 PM
Kudos to you Chris!  You've gotten another 'wall-hanger' that belongs in a poster sized frame.  Pictures like that make someone say "Wow what a neat building!" instead of "Oh, a train station".  Way to go!

Dan

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Reedsburg WI (near Wisconsin Dells)
  • 3,370 posts
Posted by Noah Hofrichter on Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:24 PM

Congrats on getting the photo in Chris, it certainly deserves some recognition! Hopefully the folks at the Pentex Gallery will uphold the original call, even upon further review...

Noah 

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:10 AM

Quentin - Excellent memory! The shot is taken pretty much from the same position with the same lens. The only difference is the extra color added by the holiday light display.

Union Station is going to be the focal point of a major downtown overhaul. I'm not sure what the timeline is for the redevelopment, but if they do as much as was mentioned in the articles that I read, it will definately be a major undertaking.

PZ - That's right. You should have seen the pedestrians scrambling to flee as we made our way down the 16th St. Mall. Pirate [oX)] Laugh [(-D]

Carl - Thanks for the kind words. Alas! I seem to have possibly jeopardized the shot. When it was posted, I noted that I had listed the wrong lens. When I tried to edit the shot to include the correct lens, I noticed that the image was listed as "Back in Review." Normally, I wouldn't worry, but the PPG folks seem to have a strange manner of reviewing shots. I hope I didn't give my picture a one way ticket out of the Premier Collection (or, dread the though, even the Pentax Photo Gallery). Time will tell, I suppose.

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, December 20, 2007 5:25 AM
Congratulations on making the cut, Chris!  That photo could be on Christmas cards for the rest of your life, and nobody would get tired of it.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:56 AM
Ohmigosh! The dreaded and feared Pentax gang! Laugh [(-D]
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:37 PM

....A beautiful shot Chris....Believe the station has more color added to it for your pic as compared to one of a year ago...{If my memory serves correctly}.

Believe you have said that facility will be getting some update work on it and to be serving as a multi purpose transportation center...and still supporting the Amtrak part too....

Edit:  And yes Carl, love all pic's of depots / stations...especially at night.  I simply think this latest one from Chris is beautiful....Shows beautiful color and the ambience of the moment.....The Holidays.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:09 PM

Hi Carl,

Thanks for the kind words and well wishes. It's good to be back again. I wish I had had some free time this evening, though. There was some nice sunlight towards the evening. I would've liked to have been out shooting. Oh well, I've got 2 and a half weeks left. Hopefully I can find a little more sun before I leave!

After looking at Tim's shot, I definately want to hit the Western Springs station. I love the classic look of it!

I read the other thread about the accident by you. What a tragedy. I still can't believe that there are those who would gamble with their life to save a few minutes...

Godspeed on your trip to Michigan!

 P.S. The image I'm currently using as my avatar has earned me a nice honor. Not only did it make the Pentax Photo Gallery Cut, Pentax has chosen to put it in their "Premier Collection." If the Pentax Photo Gallery chooses to use the best from all Pentax photographers for their gallery, the Premier Collection is the best of those. Currently there are a couple thousand shots at PPG. Only 82 of those have been made part of the Premier Collection. The power of steam locomotion I guess! Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 6:48 PM

Chris, welcome home again!

The station looks like the world's largest jukebox in that shot!  Nice work!

Weather's a little scary for the weekend, but Christmas Eve and Day are looking good, so far--and the last precipitation before the dry spell is supposed to be snow.

My baby daughter and son-in-law are due to arrive from California Sunday evening, and we all turn around and leave Monday morning for a wedding shower in Michigan at noon.

We'll have to get together some evening after work.  Perhaps you can shoot the Western Springs station for Quentin.

(Right now we're a little bummed out by the fatal car-train collision at the grade crossing nearest our house--someone started a separate thread on it.)

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 5:03 PM

Before I headed back to Chicagoland for the holidays, I went out with some fellow Pentax shooters taking pictures of some of the light displays in downtown Denver. I thought this shot might be of interest in this forum:

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Monday, December 17, 2007 3:25 PM

...PZ:

It's a good point for the RR's to think about.  For years now it seems the ambience at RR depots has been in a steady decline.  Talk rail stations and one possibly thinks of trash piling up and just a substandard place to have to be....

Wouldn't it be great if the trend would catch on and it really would start to be an incentive for more customers.

Quentin

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Monday, December 17, 2007 2:48 PM
 Modelcar wrote:

.....Carl, yes I remember that photo.....Looks like a slate roof.

As I noted, I really like to see localities replace their buildings with RR retro design structures.

That sure is a nice looking one we've been commenting on.

Q, your comment makes me wonder if the trend to go retro with train stations somehow is a move to attract new commuters by making the atmosphere more magnetic.

Retro stations with their wood interiors, etc., are warm and comforting while steel-and-brick-and-glass stations like the one in Lisle are relatively cold and uninviting. You think?

However, I'd guess the retro stations like the one in Western Springs are also more less vandal-proof, so the RRs are careful where they put them. 

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, December 15, 2007 10:34 PM

.....Carl, yes I remember that photo.....Looks like a slate roof.

As I noted, I really like to see localities replace their buildings with RR retro design structures.

That sure is a nice looking one we've been commenting on.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Saturday, December 15, 2007 9:16 PM
 Poppa_Zit wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:

PZ.... Western Springs is still all paid-on-call.  In fact they are supposed to break ground on a second fire station sometime in the next year or two, near 55th and Grand, to improve response to the "south end", as it were.  I think Pat Sennet may have been on the department still when I was there back in 1994-1997.  When I lived here the  first time, back in 1994, we used to get their pizza alot too.... it's great "Beer pizza", in my opinion.  I don't think Pat Sennet owns Spaghetti Bowl anymore, it has been owned by a different family since 1985...or, at least that's what the sign behind the counter says. 

The two WS firemen that were killed while making rescues in the MGM Grand fire, Bill Gerbosi and Dave Potter, were in the Spaghetti Bowl all the time, close friends of Pat. Many times the siren on top of the firehouse would start to sound and a stream of guys would run of the Bowl and across the street to roll the engines.

We went to the Bowl mainly because the pies were good -- not because we also got a firehouse discount. Big Smile [:D]

Many was the Monday night when the post-drill dining came from Spaghetti Bowl.  After I moved back into town here, it was the first place I went to eat....

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Saturday, December 15, 2007 4:49 PM

You could eat in?  I would have done that, had I known!  How about the current place?

Quentin, I don't have a photo of the new station to post, but this building replaced a more modern-looking, rather nondescript station on the same spot a few years ago.  I can point you to a Mike Yuhas photo of about half of the roof:

http://www.trains.com/trn/objects/images/625.jpg

Won the contest that week!

Another city that has replaced its station--make that stations, plural--with larger, more traditional, buildings, is Wheaton, on the UP West Line.  Its downtown station was replaced quite a few years ago (an earlier, traditional-looking station still exists as well, as a commercial establishment).  Further east, a brick-and-glass warming shanty at College Avenue was replaced about three years ago by a massive structure that couldn't be mistaken for anything but a railroad station.  The new station also includes a walkway under the tracks.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:30 PM
 TimChgo9 wrote:

PZ.... Western Springs is still all paid-on-call.  In fact they are supposed to break ground on a second fire station sometime in the next year or two, near 55th and Grand, to improve response to the "south end", as it were.  I think Pat Sennet may have been on the department still when I was there back in 1994-1997.  When I lived here the  first time, back in 1994, we used to get their pizza alot too.... it's great "Beer pizza", in my opinion.  I don't think Pat Sennet owns Spaghetti Bowl anymore, it has been owned by a different family since 1985...or, at least that's what the sign behind the counter says. 

The two WS firemen that were killed while making rescues in the MGM Grand fire, Bill Gerbosi and Dave Potter, were in the Spaghetti Bowl all the time, close friends of Pat. Many times the siren on top of the firehouse would start to sound and a stream of guys would run of the Bowl and across the street to roll the engines.

We went to the Bowl mainly because the pies were good -- not because we also got a firehouse discount. Big Smile [:D]

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Saturday, December 15, 2007 11:12 AM
 Poppa_Zit wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:
 Poppa_Zit wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:

Actually I am one town to the east.... 

Is the Spaghetti Bowl carry-out place still along the tracks there?

PZ... yes it is, they moved over one door to the east into the new building that was built on the corner of Hillgrove and Wolf, still the same tasty pizza. (If you all like thin crispy crust pizza, Spaghetti Bowl is pretty good)  The old shop they were in is still there, and they are trying to lease it out. (Which, by the way, began life as the "Martha Washington Ice Cream Shop" in 1958)

Used to get their pizza all the time. The guy that owned it in the 1980s -- Pat Sennett??? -- was a Western Springs fireman. Are they still all-volunteer? 

PZ.... Western Springs is still all paid-on-call.  In fact they are supposed to break ground on a second fire station sometime in the next year or two, near 55th and Grand, to improve response to the "south end", as it were.  I think Pat Sennet may have been on the department still when I was there back in 1994-1997.  When I lived here the  first time, back in 1994, we used to get their pizza alot too.... it's great "Beer pizza", in my opinion.  I don't think Pat Sennet owns Spaghetti Bowl anymore, it has been owned by a different family since 1985...or, at least that's what the sign behind the counter says. 

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Saturday, December 15, 2007 9:18 AM
 TimChgo9 wrote:
 Poppa_Zit wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:

Actually I am one town to the east.... 

Is the Spaghetti Bowl carry-out place still along the tracks there?

PZ... yes it is, they moved over one door to the east into the new building that was built on the corner of Hillgrove and Wolf, still the same tasty pizza. (If you all like thin crispy crust pizza, Spaghetti Bowl is pretty good)  The old shop they were in is still there, and they are trying to lease it out. (Which, by the way, began life as the "Martha Washington Ice Cream Shop" in 1958)

Used to get their pizza all the time. The guy that owned it in the 1980s -- Pat Sennett??? -- was a Western Springs fireman. Are they still all-volunteer? 

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Friday, December 14, 2007 1:30 PM

....I really agree with Chris on this one...That is a beautiful interior in the station.  I really admire architects that capture the ambience of the "old" railway designs.  This one really looks impressive with the "mood" lighting and wainscoting.  Accurate appearing wood flooring.  Would like to see it's exterior appearance.

Great photo shot too Tim.

Quentin

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Friday, December 14, 2007 9:56 AM
Wow. That is one classy looking station. Nice picture, too. I like the light projections from the windows and the guy reading the paper. Nicely done, Tim!

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Friday, December 14, 2007 9:40 AM
 CShaveRR wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:
 CShaveRR wrote:
Almost felt as cold as what I encountered at work (I was outside a few times today, including sweeping off switch machines).  Nice shots, Tim!

You're in Hinsdale, right?  I'm trying to picture your location.

Actually I am one town to the east.... 

Gotcha!  Nice new depot!

It is a cool station.  They built it to look like the old depot that was there around the turn of the century.  Lots of dark woods and antique looking benches inside.  It's a great looking place

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Friday, December 14, 2007 9:37 AM
 Poppa_Zit wrote:
 TimChgo9 wrote:

Actually I am one town to the east.... 

Is the Spaghetti Bowl carry-out place still along the tracks there?

PZ... yes it is, they moved over one door to the east into the new building that was built on the corner of Hillgrove and Wolf, still the same tasty pizza. (If you all like thin crispy crust pizza, Spaghetti Bowl is pretty good)  The old shop they were in is still there, and they are trying to lease it out. (Which, by the way, began life as the "Martha Washington Ice Cream Shop" in 1958)

 

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Friday, December 14, 2007 1:10 AM
 TimChgo9 wrote:

Actually I am one town to the east.... 

Is the Spaghetti Bowl carry-out place still along the tracks there?

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy