Chicago trip

[Minilad]

I have just returned from a holiday in Chicago. Obviously a few railway outings were squeezed into the itinerary!

Lots of journeys on the famous "L" of course. I absolutely love the "L". Clattering around the loop should be on any rail enthusiast "must do" list. Although having a hotel room overlooking, and within hearing distance, of the "L" is probably not the best decision ever!
As far as "proper" trains go. I had a trip to Milwaukee and back with Amtrak which was most pleasant. Especially when the usual Genesis engine was subbed by a Dash8 on the way up.
METRA was aslo sampled. Firstly a short run on on of their double deck electric units and then longer runs on loco hauled trains. Firstly to Kenosha to sample the streetcars there. Only one was running sadly. Next trip was to Aurora. Mainly for shopping at the local outlet mall. Nice to have a loco hauled train there and back though. Especially when the return journey produced a pair!
Last but not least a visit to the Chicago WhiteSox enabled more loco hauled travel. Albeit for just 3 miles or so.
Chicago is possibly the best city in the US for railways. There is so much to see and do I could have spent the whole 10 days on, or looking at, trains.
Thoroughly recommended

A few photos can be found here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/xcdrichard/

Enjoy!

 

[87electric]

That has inspired me to visit Kenosha if i visit Chicago. I love Streetcars. I think they have 7 there but only 1 will work per day, as you experienced.
Great pics as well.

 

[duncanp]

Although it is too late for now, you could have taken the South Shore Line out along the Indiana Dunes.

Of particular note is the route through Michigan City, Indiana, where you have a full size train running down the middle of the street as if it were a tram.

Do a search for "11th Street Station - Michigan City" for pictures and videos.

(http://www.nictd.com/)

 

[philabos]

You probably already know this, but both commuter trains you rode are among the very last vestiges of trains still operated by the private railroads. BNSF operates the Aurora service and Union Pacific operates the Kenosha service as well as two other commuter lines. METRA merely writes the checks, although they do also have to provide locomotives and coaches.
The railroads provide the crews, dispatching and operating management.

 

[AM9]

That has inspired me to visit Kenosha if i visit Chicago. I love Streetcars. I think they have 7 there but only 1 will work per day, as you experienced.
Great pics as well.

Here's a video of the Mattapan line near Boston:

https://youtu.be/OvRhi72zyeQ

This has PCC streetcars although they run on a reserved track. At busy times there are several cars running simultaneously.

 

[Groningen]

Den Haag has in the past also PCC. But one must ask whether Boston has no money for new material.

 

[AlterEgo]

Try the California Zephyr next time. It's a bit longer, at three days, and you will end up in San Fransisco, but I do throughly recommend a first class roomette. Trip of a lifetime along the old pioneer trails.

 

[Flamingo]

I used to get the train from Joliet to Chicago many years ago. There was a river-boat casino within walking distance of the train station in Joliet. I never won anything...