Field of....poop. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (Sanitary District of Chicago, for short) is the only railroad in America (and possibly the world?) that transports human waste. The railroad is home to three SW1's and an MP15DC. Crews transport between 13 and 26 loads in side dump cars from their plant in Stickney to the waste fields here in Willow Springs. On a sunny morning, SW1 #2 is appropriately in charge in this "behind the scenes" look as the final two cars are dumped. This photograph pretty much sums up the railroad. The SW1's haven't been running the past few years as MP15DC #4 has been performing the duties, but due to a recent derailment on July 15th, #4 has been indefinitely out of service. #2 was built new for the company in July of 1952. 68 years young and still going! Despite the smell on those hot and humid mornings, the MWRDGC is definitely a hidden treasure within Chicagoland that even includes some street running (as pictured here)!
