Well, here we go folks. The Chicago MSTS folks got together for another wacky railfanning trip. This time around, we visited Blue Island, Dolton, and Pine Jct, three of the busiest spots in all of Chicagoland.

1. CN 8824 leads a Q-118 off of the IHB and onto GTW tracks for the run over to IC's Markham Yard.



2. Us lovely bunch. L-R: Ken Plaza, Chuck Guzik, Kevin Kellehar, Patrick Kellehar, Ron Keiwel, Neil Keenan, Sean Kellehar, Scott Guzik, and myself, John Means.



3. A CSX GP30/GP40-2 Slug-Mother set lead a rail train east through Dolton.




4. A very crappy shot of the caboose that was tucked right behind the units.



5. A CN C44-9W leads an SD75I around the connector from the C&EI to the B&O to run east.



6. The sun had almost swung around for this one. A Santa Fe GP60M leads a BN SD60M westbound through Dalton on the IHB.



I know everyone else shot more than I did.......cough, Scott......1200 pictures in one day. I can't even comprehend that. Anyway, good trip fellas!

The Shovel

Ok, I'll throw in a few of mine...............



And Yes, he did wave to us after I took the shot!


I only stayed until noon and couldn't go to Dolton and Gary, Ind. due to work.

I was there; well at least audio wise. It was good to talk to Chuck, John, Kevin, and Sean on the phone. Sean has a real good cellphone; the horns were loud and proud . I get to see what I heard Saturday, thanx guys it was worth it.

That group picture is classic, thanks for makin it happen John! Somebody had to step up and make it happeen!

The camera the person has on the extreme left of the group picture look like one of the early Sanyo 3.5 inch disk models.

Brings back a few memories.

Cheers

Karl

Don't see how that's hard to understand. I shoot probably 400 over the course of a 90 minute high school soccer match. So, if it's a three game day, that's well over 1200 pictures in about six hours. During my trip to Buffalo last month, I shot well over 700 during the Sabres & Red Wings game. That's in a 2.5 to three hour period. Maybe 75 or so while up at the falls for 30-45 minutes. At that kind of pace, on an all day train photo trip, I'd probably shoot closer to 2000.

for Means, everything is a step up......thanks lil J

Chuck

Hey, 5'5" and proud of it...............Sometimes it's even two steps up!

You must be "5'8" to ride the MASW "Northern Sky" Private Car at Joliet, Meansy.

Yes indeed, we all had a ball. Ken, your pictures are amazing considering the vintage of that old beast, it was a pleasure to meet you finally. Neil, well sorry you had to hang with my brother, at least he was courteous,...

Oh and a big "thanks" to John for orchestrating all of it, a very worthwhile trip, and you're welcome for the sunshine!

Thanks for the comments guys! I had a great time just meeting and being with all of you. I know it was a short time and I wish I could stay a little longer but you know the bad word; WORK! I was able to catch a little nap before going to work that night. I hope we can do this more often when I don't have to work in the next couple of meets. I hope to get a new camera some day but for now, I'll keep using the old vintage camera until I can no longer buy the 3.5 " floppies anymore. I really had a good time!

Nice catch of that former Santa Fe caboose Ken.

I thought all of the classic style were off the system and BNSF only used the center visions. That's all they use out in SoCal. What a treat to see at least one still being used.

The caboose was bought by Iowa Interstate over ten years ago and has been in use on the Blue Island Yard runs ever since.

Iowa Interstate . At least she's still out and about. Not too many of that version running on non tourist lines.