Kindof interesting to watch! I grew up in Mendota around the time this was filmed. Brings back memories. I took the Amtrak to Chicago a couple times with my parents.
Amtrak Southwest Chief uses the Old CB&Q mainline between Galesburg to Chicago, after Cameron Wye was installed (1996) west of Galesburg. Mendota was RR crossroads (Illinois Central, Milwaukee Road), 1850s to 1980. Milwaukee Road ended service ~1980. Illinois Central abandoned Mendota line in 1985. 10:45 Earlville CB&Q had a former branch to Sterling. C&NW (Troy Grove branch) now UP has a crossing with BN (just before elevators)
A fascinating journey overall. Too bad it wasn't filmed a few months later when the Illinois countryside didn't appear so insufferably bleak. I especially liked the radio chatter and the in-cab conversations. Certainly a well-rounded cab experience. I'm a big fan of the channel as a result, and look forward to exploring more of your content!
@@J3scribe I will have more cab rides for you. Yes, Dave is a real historian, but the crews on the other ones also do a good job. Thanks for your compliments.
21:32 Metra should extend the BNSF line all the way out to here - Somonauk. Seeing as how it says “59.2 MP”, does that mean that Somonauk is 59 miles away from Chicago?
Yes, that is the distance from Union Station. Who knows, Illinois is paying Metra to extend to Rockford, maybe someday BNSF commuters will come this far.
Here are some of my interesting observations/questions: 41:56 West Eola really marks the beginning of "The Racetrack" where Metra commuter trains, nicknamed "Dinkies", operate from here to Chicago Union Station (notice the 2 tracks on the left join the track the Southwest Chief is occupying!) Since February 16, 2000 lands on a Friday, the so-called "Dinky Parade" is in effect! As such, Metra patrons on the BNSF line will also enjoy this video in addition to California Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, and Illinois Zephyr patrons! At 1:23:03 to 1:43:15, the Southwest Chief changes tracks so that it can back into Union Station instead of entering head on. Does the California Zephyr perform this maneuver as well? I recently rode the Illinois Zephyr on the same tracks from Galesburg and it did NOT perform this maneuver, instead going into Union Station with the solo diesel entering head on; I assume the Carl Sandburg does this as well. Metra Dinkies do not perform this maneuver due to push-pull operations with the cab car typically entering Union Station in "push" mode. Correct me if I am wrong on any of this.
Les Jarrett, I like the videos your posting. Are you going to upload “Narrow gauge combo”? I like that show. Can you upload that show please? Thank you.
if I am not mistaken, if you ride this line today, the signals are most tri lights and the old signal bridges have either been replaced or converted to line side?
i was surprised how this Amtrak train seemed to wake up before the BNSF, as i somehow thought there would be more meets. This is a great trip though and well shot. although coming out of KC i wish there had been more clouds in the sky for your sake with how the lighting was, but nothing could be done about that obviously. Amtrak is an early bird.
Les it would be cool if you could do an interview with engineer Dave one day. If he would be up for it. It would make for a great watch. He knew a lot of history of the railroad. And had a lot of interesting stories.
Love it, is there a Chicago to Seattle cab ride? Beautiful landscape changes, I did road trip mostly on highway 2 about as north as can be. From nth Dakota across to Rockies and cascades was fantastic 👌
It be nice to see America by Rails: The Heartland on youtube. I did enjoy the traveling tunes. Would be nice if there was a soundtrack playlist which would go well with traveling on Amtrak.
Taking the train is the best way to go. It takes longer, but I wouldn’t travel any other way 👏👏👏
Same! I like trains so much I wish I could take it all the time, it’s my preferred mode of transportation🚂🚂🚂
It needn't take all that much longer with modern infrastructure. In fact downtown to downtown it can be quicker
Kindof interesting to watch! I grew up in Mendota around the time this was filmed. Brings back memories. I took the Amtrak to Chicago a couple times with my parents.
Great video. I lived in Downers Grove for many years and spent many hours photographing trains there.
Amtrak Southwest Chief uses the Old CB&Q mainline between
Galesburg to Chicago, after Cameron Wye was installed (1996) west of Galesburg.
Mendota was RR crossroads (Illinois Central, Milwaukee Road), 1850s to 1980.
Milwaukee Road ended service ~1980. Illinois Central abandoned Mendota line in 1985.
10:45 Earlville CB&Q had a former branch to Sterling.
C&NW (Troy Grove branch) now UP has a crossing with BN (just before elevators)
Wish we could've seen the entire route, but I'm glad we have what we have!
I'll eventually get the Southern California series of Southwest Chief cab rides streaming.
A fascinating journey overall. Too bad it wasn't filmed a few months later when the Illinois countryside didn't appear so insufferably bleak. I especially liked the radio chatter and the in-cab conversations. Certainly a well-rounded cab experience. I'm a big fan of the channel as a result, and look forward to exploring more of your content!
Unfortunately I had to shoot it when they said I could…
@@RailwayProductions I understand that, and an amazing job you did. I wish I could have been along for the ride. Dave was an absolute gem!
@@J3scribe I will have more cab rides for you. Yes, Dave is a real historian, but the crews on the other ones also do a good job. Thanks for your compliments.
like Southern California cab ride@@RailwayProductions
Very nice to ride on a train
21:32 Metra should extend the BNSF line all the way out to here - Somonauk.
Seeing as how it says “59.2 MP”, does that mean that Somonauk is 59 miles away from Chicago?
Yes, that is the distance from Union Station. Who knows, Illinois is paying Metra to extend to Rockford, maybe someday BNSF commuters will come this far.
Railway would you do Cavalcade of Steam.
Could you do Cab Ride Through the Rockies please?
thanks for posting!
Nice video!
Here are some of my interesting observations/questions:
41:56 West Eola really marks the beginning of "The Racetrack" where Metra commuter trains, nicknamed "Dinkies", operate from here to Chicago Union Station (notice the 2 tracks on the left join the track the Southwest Chief is occupying!) Since February 16, 2000 lands on a Friday, the so-called "Dinky Parade" is in effect! As such, Metra patrons on the BNSF line will also enjoy this video in addition to California Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, and Illinois Zephyr patrons!
At 1:23:03 to 1:43:15, the Southwest Chief changes tracks so that it can back into Union Station instead of entering head on. Does the California Zephyr perform this maneuver as well? I recently rode the Illinois Zephyr on the same tracks from Galesburg and it did NOT perform this maneuver, instead going into Union Station with the solo diesel entering head on; I assume the Carl Sandburg does this as well. Metra Dinkies do not perform this maneuver due to push-pull operations with the cab car typically entering Union Station in "push" mode. Correct me if I am wrong on any of this.
Les Jarrett, I like the videos your posting. Are you going to upload “Narrow gauge combo”? I like that show. Can you upload that show please? Thank you.
Will get to it!
@@RailwayProductions thank you.
The crossing outside of Earlville is the ex C & NW line to Troy Grove, I do not know if it still goes to Spring Valley, but at least it used to?
Fantastic video!😊
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
I did an Amtrak trip from Richmond, VA to Worecester, MA in 1997.
Thinking about going from Massachusetts to North Carolina via Amtrak sometime.
if I am not mistaken, if you ride this line today, the signals are most tri lights and the old signal bridges have either been replaced or converted to line side?
Correct.
i was surprised how this Amtrak train seemed to wake up before the BNSF, as i somehow thought there would be more meets. This is a great trip though and well shot. although coming out of KC i wish there had been more clouds in the sky for your sake with how the lighting was, but nothing could be done about that obviously. Amtrak is an early bird.
BNSF trains run on the Mendota mostly in the morning or evening. The afternoon is the Amtrak rush our. So they clear for them.
Great video
0:20 this is the final video series for about that! From Kansas City to Chicago.
Les it would be cool if you could do an interview with engineer Dave one day. If he would be up for it. It would make for a great watch. He knew a lot of history of the railroad. And had a lot of interesting stories.
Great job, which cab ride can you do next please?
Like, Cab ride from the great southwest
1:19:16 same footage from the trailer
great video 🚅🚅🚃
Love it, is there a Chicago to Seattle cab ride? Beautiful landscape changes, I did road trip mostly on highway 2 about as north as can be. From nth Dakota across to Rockies and cascades was fantastic 👌
It be nice to see America by Rails: The Heartland on youtube. I did enjoy the traveling tunes. Would be nice if there was a soundtrack playlist which would go well with traveling on Amtrak.
Final Destination to Chicago!
That’s correct!
Andrew are you exited for Cavalcade of Steam.
@@maxwellwalcher6420 I’m so excited
@@andrewdiesel4014 Me too!
@@andrewdiesel4014 What Steam Locomotives are we gonna see
Strasburg Railroad #90 : Emily
N&W #475 : Frank
and CNTS 484 : Mikey and #488 : Margo.
Can you upload Chicago's Metra on UA-cam?
What year was this taken?
I’m surprised the 27.2 defect detector in Naperville didn’t go off.
Jerry Miller and Ken Smith are today’s Engineers
1:16:02 Final Miles to Chicago
When Amtrak had an express package service.
Why were they running on the opposite track the entire way?
🇳🇱SUPER VIDEO 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💯🍀
the video looked older, but was not sure until it got close to downtown chicago. wow, what a difference.
Things have changed a wee bit…
This will be the last video of this series!!!
Yes sir!, Chicago is the end of the line for the Southwest Chief
@@andrewdiesel4014you got it.
It ia interesting that the Burlington nvere had a Zephyr to Lo Angeles, but di have one to San Francisco
Nice
Back when Amtrak hauled mail and express.
scenic ride but its d view from d view screen .... pls show driver performing lever action and brakes
02/06/2024
Pathetically slow!
Any Idea What Year was That?
2000