AWESOME!!!!

Sweet catch Synth! Amtrak could slap a slogan on this picture and use it for advertising XD. Do you know which loco got the other Phase III paint?

Thanks. 822 is the other one in Phase III.

You forgot 406: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/8187382/

Ahh cool deal. As an aside, I didn't know Amtrak kept any of their F40PHs!

They have, and yet they have not. You see, they don't have any remaining F40PHs in their original state, but they do have a number converted to "Cabbages", or Cab-baggage cars, retaining all of the controls and the MU connections, removing the prime mover, generator, fuel tank, and traction motors, installing a concrete floor, and fitting roll-up doors on both sides. Others were sold off to other operators, or sold for parts.

406 here is not quite like the other Cabbages, though. While she still has had the engine and such removed, there are no roll-up doors, and there is a small diesel-electric generator inside. This is to provide head-end power (480 VAC, three phase) for the Amtrak 40th Anniversary train when it is parked at a location that doesn't have stationary plug-in power. She was repainted and rebuilt at Beech Grove, and could technically lead trains, pushed by a trailing locomotive.

Funny thing is that while Amtrak was replacing their F40PHs, Metra is sending theirs through a comprehensive rebuilding plan at VMV-Paducah so they'll be good for another 25 years or so: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/5816005/

Amtrak still has a dozen F40s in original condition, unused, sitting at their shop in Bear, Delaware.

Ah, didn't know about that, either.

this is awesome, dude.

awesome!
Where does the track to the right go?

It goes to the Continental Paper warehouse. They still receive carloads of paper there, not quite sure what type, or who actually owns that building, but I have seen newsprint boxcars parked there.

cool How about the Lift Bridge?

The raised lift bridge used to be go to Grand Central Station, which was the main station for the B&O and a few other railroads (Grand Central Terminal is the one in New York City). Alas, it was torn down in 1971 and replaced with...nothing, really. It's still just a large expanse of empty land, seen here, right across the river from the former Pennsy coach yards, which are now the Amtrak yards and shops (Synth was standing on the 18th St. bridge when he took the picture).

The other bridge is still in use for the St. Charles Air Line, so called because it was projected to be a straight railway line from Chicago to St. Charles, and eventually to Dixon. It was never built, although the a very straight railway from Chicago to St. Charles was eventually constructed, in the form of the Chicago Great Western, which was a tenant at Grand Central Station. It is currently used as a connector by passenger trains from Union Station heading south on the former Illinois Central main line, as well as some freight trains.

Always happy to help. =^.^=

Nice!

That center livery... Just... AUGHHHHH SEXY!!!!

Very cool and ive still got to say *what a busy city there*

I certainly did, yes. This is far more interesting, and has better composition.

nice!

looks familiar, I'm guessing I've seen that riding into the city at some point, but then again I could be confusing it for any of the other train stations

Looks like the 141 had a bit of a BBQ.

Just moved to Chicago, lol. Working on the Canadian National.

Whaaaat really? Oh man, we need to get together sometime! Where are you based out of?

Homewood for the Illinois Central Division

Oh ho! Then you'll be working in the same building, if not the same room as  deval!

Er wait, no. You won't be dispatching, lol.

Nope, not dispatching, Train Operations.

Derp derp. Of course :3

Also welcome. =^.^=

Thank you!

And if you'd ever like a bit of a tour, I'm sure that I could arrange something.

I appreciate it, but Chicago is not an unfimilar place to me. A frequent place of my childhood, as well as a place I love to explore adn enjoy.

Certainly a nice place, yes. Or if you'd ever care to...I dunno, stop by Aurora and say hello, or whatever, heh...just a thought.

Sure! Little off the beaten path for me. But unless Im in homewood Ill possibly find the time. Note me at anytime!

I have to get back there myself. I've had a few nice pictures there: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/6478787/ Granted, that one's not particularly good, but I think you get the idea.

Ah very nice!

Like many of my pictures, this was entirely due to luck, being in the right place at the right time. Here are some other examples of photographic serendipity:
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/7797594/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/7982329/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/6550932/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/9813511/

I do hope you enjoy them!

Nice!

=^.^=

My gawd.... this picture is too damn perfect. Like, totes purfect...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjbutt.....th/7627284344/
18th st is Always an interesting place to take RR pics. I have taken quite a few there like this one http://www.furaffinity.net/full/9553920/
and these http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjbutt.....th/7627284344/ I am planning to get back there in the future Maybe on my way home Natl Train day in May

I've got a few good ones there myself: http://www.furaffinity.net/full/4569264/

141 doesn't look too good

She had a fire recently.

nice locomotives !