Ok a shameless plug, but I just added Sundays entry on railfaning the C&I west of Rochelle. I got some neat pictures and some storys. Watch the blog as I will be updateing with more BNSF pictures and locations. Cheers Jim
The photos at the gate of White Pines State Park(Oregon IL) always spark good memories for me. I will tell this story once again for those who have not seen it before. When I was a youth member of the Boy Scouts(in the 1950's)our district Fall Camp-O-Ree was ALWAYS held at White Pines State Park on a mid-October weekend. At that time we had some connections with the C.B & Q. RR so we always had a special train take us from 26th & Cicero station to that location in your photo early on Saturday morning and return us late Sunday afternoon. In later years we usually had at least 2 bi-level commuter coaches. Some units would go on Friday nite but most would go Sat AM. Some leaders would drive up during the night with the tents and other big camping equipment so that we could set them up on arrival. We would hike from trackside to the campground both ways. Never,ever in my wildest dreams did I think that SOMEDAY, I would be running trains past that very same spot. It was always a real cathartic for me! I had always fantasized about being an engineer on a fast passenger train, but the Burlington RR never figured in on my fantasies. I consider myself lucky that I was to actually have my fantasy fulfilled. Few of us have that privilege. CT
Charlie, I never get tired of hearing your stories about this line. The Oregon area has inspired me to build a portion of the C&I in N scale. Still working on the track plan.
Stories? Charlie, Go ahead you have a new member to the crowd that has not heard any of your stories yet.:embarassed: Do you get out to Chadwick running trains? And one more question explain "C&I" to me. I may be the local reporter for Jim after he moves.:shade:
Love the C&I BNSF7173 first exposed me to the C&I. I've lived in northern Illinois all my life and never knew about the C&I and the amount of rail traffic it handles. I was around Rochelle today taking some shots. I'll post my favorite. Come summer I'll be out Mr. Trains way again w/ my new ATCS unit taking pictures. Hopefully Jim won't become a strainger to this area after he moves.
What does C&I mean? Question explain "C&I" T. look me up I can be your personal guide in BNSF's absents I know the area from Milledgville to Savanna.
Thank you! I am retired now so I dont run trains anywhere except on a few lengths of HO track. C&I = Chicago & Iowa CT
Thanks Now that your retired:lightbulb: come out to chadwick and run on the club layout then you can say you ran a train in chadwick HA!
btw... hes right, and ill take those stories anyday. being new ive got some storytime catch up to play haha. tbg
News from the C&I News flash: Coal trains have been seen running east loaded and west empty on the C&I. At least 3 in the last couple days have been seen. This reporter is not sure if they are running around some thing or are going to be a regular on this line. It is nice to see something besides stacked trains. Have your cameras ready were being told their being pulled by some Grinstein Green & Cream 70macs (film is not developed yet) Stay tuned for more news.:shade:
Calling all coal experts. Another coal train was spoted (by a non-rail fan no photos) going east loaded and it was reported to have a DP on the back. Any one else have any ideas where there getting the coal and where they may be taking it? Here on the C&I it use to be rare to see a coal train.
C&I sub divison Sorry it is the sub name on BNSF main from Chicago to the Mississippi river where it turns north or south. It is called Chicago to Iowa (but never crosses the river to Iowa) I had to ask my self see early post