After a "grade crossing incident" in Brookfield (which was most likely a suicide), Metra trains were delayed and passengers on one train had to deboard here at Main Street and wait for another tra... (more)

After the rest of the train was moved forward, the 261 backed up onto the main so everyone vould get a good look at her. Lots of whistle blowing as she backed up.

406 is passed by her sister, 407, at MP21. 407 is doing 65mph on an express to Naperville. Notice 406's silver-ringed windshield and the reflection on 407.

As Metra leaves the station, the MARS light illuminates the signal bridge and the tinted windows and marker lights leave a Christmas-y trail.

Just like the good old days...An Amtrak F40 (now Cabbage) leads the Illinois Zephyr into Chicago...Only now it must have a P42 pushing. Here it flies by the historic Main Street Station in a brisk... (more)

Westbound empty with a swooshed SD70MAC and two brand spankin' new SD70ACes pass rural suburbia - 40 miles west of Chicago. I saw lots of kids outside playing in the backyard on this beautiful spr... (more)

Conrail "Q" SD60I, with mismatched numberboards, and a Santa Fe SD40-2 lead BRCGAL - the train most likely to have odd, rare, or lots of power on the BNSF.

The Illinois Zephyr had become the "Afternoon Zephyr" by the time it reached Chicago nearly 3.5 hours late due to the previous night's snowstorm.

Last shot of the train as it heads back west from Bureau towards Rock Island, smoking past an IAIS hyrailer.

The 261 Fall Color Excursions were decidedly 261-less last fall. Here's hoping to see some billowing black smoke in this year's version.

Stopping in the snow at Main Street. No big snow banks unfortunately...

Holy cow, didn't expect this! A Bluebonnet GP60, a CEFX SD40 with SD45 body, a Bluebonnet B23-7, NS ex-Conrail SD40, and an IC SD40 in Operation Lifesaver paint, all on a mixed freight that also h... (more)

A seemingly endless train of coal disappears into the fog in the early morning light.

5 BNSFs and UP lead this manifest west. If you look closely, you'll notice a Bilevel Bombardier coach for the New Mexico Railrunner commuter railroad.

During a 30-minute layover in Fullerton between getting off the Southwest Chief and getting on a southbound Metrolink, I am treated to an eastbound Z train.