It has been 60+ years since I lived in that area. I was a child. The electrified suburban line ended at 211th Street. My father rode it to work. 211th Street was, at least then, US 30, often called Lincoln Highway. What I would like to know is who counted the streets. If I correctly remember what I have read in history books, the electrification dates to 1913.
The tracks you went under that you don't know is the former Chicago District line connection the NS Park Manor Yard (NS Chicago Line) to the NS Calumet Yard. Those tracks and connection have since been abandoned but the bridge remains.
Great video! I enjoyed seeing what were my old neighborhoods from 60 years ago. You missed Soldier Field on the right at 12th Street. I am amazed at your depth of knowledge of the various areas of the United States. I worked in New Haven on the I-95 Bridges from 2008 to 2013 so I enjoyed the Metra North vides as well,
That is because freight sometimes (in fact often) is too high to fit under caternary lines - while METRA Electric runs BESIDE freight lines, how many freight lines cross it? (Same with the NEC.) The dreaded clearance issue - it's not unique to North America - not even close.
@@PGHammer21Adouble stack tracks can fit under wire, the only problem is that freight lines don’t want them for some reason. You can see double stack under wire on Septa in Norristown
Great video; thanks for posting. Please note that Central Station, former home of IC and MC through trains, was located at Roosevelt Road, adjacent to today's Museum Campus station, and not at the site of McCormick Place.
Somehow I thought the Saint Charles airline was near Central Station. I looked at a map last night and it was indeed near Roosevelt Road. Hey I’m from Long Island so give me credit for what I do know 😀😀
Retired Railfan, it's great to have you in the Chicago area. I'm really enjoying your postings. Since I'm a lifelong resident of the South Suburbs and consider Metra Electric to be my "home" road, I thought I would comment on your comments. 1. The "missing station" between Harvey and Ivanhoe is 147th Street. The station was recently torn down and will be replaced by a brand new station. 2. The train crosses over the Calumet River just north of the Riverdale station. It is essentially the border between Chicago and the suburbs. 3. The facility at the left just south of Kensington is the KYD maintenance site where all work is performed on the Metra Electric fleet --- the Highliner II's. 4. The Amtrak platform at Homewood is brand new, having been constructed over the past several years and just reopened. 5. South Shore line trains no longer stop at Kensington is the connecting track was rebuilt and northbound trains join the ME main just north of the Kensington platform. The "interchange" point is now 55th-56th-57th street station
What does this Irish Long Islander know anyway? I’m surprised I know as much as I know. I’ve been in Chicago many times years ago and I read books. Most important book I read was train watchers guide to Chicago
the station you mentioned ay 26:22 is the Dolton's 147steet/ Sibley station . It was closed by Metra in may 2022 and is in the process o[f being rebuilt . I have been un able to find a opening date
In addition to Metra's own Electric line (which I think of as "Electric Avenue", there is "State Street Single Line" in Indiana in the same area - DIB has a series on them here on UA-cam as well). (Yes; there IS a song called "Electric Avenue" that could be the theme for either or both lines; chase it down on UA-cam Music and give it a listen and you'll hear why.)
Ah, wonderful head end shots. I rode that line decades ago, back in the 1960's and 1970's when it was the Illinois Central. I loved the classic old electric MU cars. Were any of them saved? My memory is failing me, what is the voltage of that catenary? Seems to me it was some high voltage DC. Looking at these splendid head end shots makes me think if some clown from SEPTA in Philly became the manager of these lines, the first thing he'd do was order yellow caution tape across the front two rows of seats so nobody could sit there....lol..... Those jerks even have the front seats of the Market-Frankford subway/elevated cars roped off now. They should rope off their kitchen and dining room in their house. Maybe rope off a bedroom.
Lately I’ve seen them only rope off the first row of seats. Sometimes 2. Did they rope off the market Street subway currently because I’m glad I did it last summer when they didn’t
![Metra HD 60fps: Electric District Train 822 Railfan Window Ride [University Park to Millennium]](/img/n.gif)
It has been 60+ years since I lived in that area. I was a child. The electrified suburban line ended at 211th Street. My father rode it to work. 211th Street was, at least then, US 30, often called Lincoln Highway. What I would like to know is who counted the streets. If I correctly remember what I have read in history books, the electrification dates to 1913.
I love metra electric and South Shore line
I love your videos especialy from the head end and rear end. I am a retired railroader (ex-NYC-PC-CR). I grew up in Westbury L.I. 1952 to 1962.
The large brick building on the right at 43:00 is one of railroading's shrines as it is the (former) headquarters building of Pullman.
You go to many different locations nice video
I was there almost a week, so I wanted to cover as much ground as I could
147th street is temporary closed for renovations. That was the station they skipped between Harvey and Ivanhoe.
The tracks you went under that you don't know is the former Chicago District line connection the NS Park Manor Yard (NS Chicago Line) to the NS Calumet Yard. Those tracks and connection have since been abandoned but the bridge remains.
I wish to go back to Chicago someday. Metra electric is so unique, since there are not many Catenary railroads in this country besides NEC
It’s a great place for RFW’s. More to come. Fighting sun. Fighting rain.
Great video! I enjoyed seeing what were my old neighborhoods from 60 years ago. You missed Soldier Field on the right at 12th Street. I am amazed at your depth of knowledge of the various areas of the United States. I worked in New Haven on the I-95 Bridges from 2008 to 2013 so I enjoyed the Metra North vides as well,
Awesome METRA electric!!! Nice express run!
Thanks RR.😀💚💚
111th Street is Pullman to the right is part of the Pullman National Monument
That was Excellent! The best of your RFW Chicago series! Thanks for sharing.
Railfan! Central Station was at 12th Street (Roosevelt Road) 1 mile north of 23rd!
Incredible overview of a very interesting line! The narration adds a lot of interest too - well done!
That is because freight sometimes (in fact often) is too high to fit under caternary lines - while METRA Electric runs BESIDE freight lines, how many freight lines cross it? (Same with the NEC.) The dreaded clearance issue - it's not unique to North America - not even close.
@@PGHammer21Adouble stack tracks can fit under wire, the only problem is that freight lines don’t want them for some reason. You can see double stack under wire on Septa in Norristown
Great video. I rode this train from 57st,56th st, 55th st station to Millennium Station in August after a half day at Museum of Science and Industry.
That cn move at 12:27 was train L536 from chicago Glenn yard to gary Kirk yard
Great video; thanks for posting. Please note that Central Station, former home of IC and MC through trains, was located at Roosevelt Road, adjacent to today's Museum Campus station, and not at the site of McCormick Place.
Somehow I thought the Saint Charles airline was near Central Station. I looked at a map last night and it was indeed near Roosevelt Road. Hey I’m from Long Island so give me credit for what I do know 😀😀
The line was extended to Richton in the 1950's, before that, it only went to Matteson
Retired Railfan, it's great to have you in the Chicago area. I'm really enjoying your postings.
Since I'm a lifelong resident of the South Suburbs and consider Metra Electric to be my "home" road, I thought I would comment on your comments.
1. The "missing station" between Harvey and Ivanhoe is 147th Street. The station was recently torn down and will be replaced by a brand new station.
2. The train crosses over the Calumet River just north of the Riverdale station. It is essentially the border between Chicago and the suburbs.
3. The facility at the left just south of Kensington is the KYD maintenance site where all work is performed on the Metra Electric fleet --- the Highliner II's.
4. The Amtrak platform at Homewood is brand new, having been constructed over the past several years and just reopened.
5. South Shore line trains no longer stop at Kensington is the connecting track was rebuilt and northbound trains join the ME main just north of the Kensington platform. The "interchange" point is now 55th-56th-57th street station
And KYD also stores retired trains
What does this Irish Long Islander know anyway? I’m surprised I know as much as I know. I’ve been in Chicago many times years ago and I read books. Most important book I read was train watchers guide to Chicago
the station you mentioned ay 26:22 is the Dolton's 147steet/ Sibley station . It was closed by Metra in may 2022 and is in the process o[f being rebuilt . I have been un able to find a opening date
After Riverdale you cross the Little Calumet River and South Shore Trains do not stop at 115th Street anymore :(
This is amazing
Little Calumet River is what you crossed over after Riverdale
Crossed it prior to Riverdale (Ivanhoe) too.
You're welcome to visit Chicago anytime
13:03 they also have the high level doors
In addition to Metra's own Electric line (which I think of as "Electric Avenue", there is "State Street Single Line" in Indiana in the same area - DIB has a series on them here on UA-cam as well). (Yes; there IS a song called "Electric Avenue" that could be the theme for either or both lines; chase it down on UA-cam Music and give it a listen and you'll hear why.)
Great work as usual Mr. RR. What is the line that seems to pop up from the center at 48:50? Thanks.
I failed to mention that but that is actually the Metra electric South Chicago branch
Is it local or express?
Ah, wonderful head end shots. I rode that line decades ago, back in the 1960's and 1970's when it was the Illinois Central. I loved the classic old electric MU cars. Were any of them saved? My memory is failing me, what is the voltage of that catenary? Seems to me it was some high voltage DC.
Looking at these splendid head end shots makes me think if some clown from SEPTA in Philly became the manager of these lines, the first thing he'd do was order yellow caution tape across the front two rows of seats so nobody could sit there....lol..... Those jerks even have the front seats of the Market-Frankford subway/elevated cars roped off now. They should rope off their kitchen and dining room in their house. Maybe rope off a bedroom.
Lately I’ve seen them only rope off the first row of seats. Sometimes 2. Did they rope off the market Street subway currently because I’m glad I did it last summer when they didn’t
did you stop by Pullman at all? well worth the visit as well
No