Elgin Joliet & Eastern 11"x17" signed poster by Andy Fletcher

Elgin Joliet & Eastern connected the railroads "Around-Not Thru Chicago."  EJ&E provided Chicago with an outer belt railroad, helping interchange traffic avoid delays as it was routed around the heart of the busiest freight railroad hub in America.  US Steel at Gary was also a significant source of traffic for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern.

To see my Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 11"x17" signed poster, visit my website customtrains.org and/or my eBay store.

Drawing of the Day-March 7, 2016 Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001

I just drew Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001. Chicago South Shore & South Bend interchanges with the Class 1 Railroads throughout Chicago and Northern Indiana and provides transload services and industrial switching. Chicago South Shore & South Bend is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Indiana Harbor Belt-Connects With All Chicago Railroads

For decades, Indiana Harbor Belt has connected the railroads serving Chicago.  Headquartered at Hammond, Indiana, the trains of Indiana Harbor Belt maintain a flow of freight as it moves across America's rail network.
Throughout its history, the Indiana Harbor Belt has been jointly owned by railroads connecting throughout Chicago.  This neutrality is important, as the Indiana Harbor Belt works as a bridge between all Chicago Railroads through America's busiest railroad hub.
In 1961, Indiana Harbor Belt was owned in part by Chicago and North Western, New York Central and Milwaukee Road.  After decades of mergers, at present day, Indiana Harbor Belt is owned 25.5% by Norfolk Southern, 25.5% by CSX and 49% by Canadian Pacific. source http://www.dhke.com/ihbarchive/ihbhst.html  
Indiana Harbor Belt also plays the important role delivering first and last mile traffic into our freight rail system.  A principal customer for Indiana Harbor Belt is the US Steel plant at Gary, Indiana.
Indiana Harbor Belt truly "Connects With All Chicago Railroads."  It is important that it maintains this role.

Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Electroliners at Illinois Railway Museum

A Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Eletcroliner hurries towards Milwaukee.  It races onward, its sleek lines a flash of green and orange.
Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee innovated to compete against the Milwaukee Road and Chicago and Northwestern in the Chicago to Milwaukee passenger market.  Its dazzling Eletcroliners a symbol of modern ideal and design.
Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Electroliners 801 and 802 are preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. http://www.irm.org/
 

Miller's Pub-My Chicago Tradition

Whenever I am in Chicago, I make a tradition to have lunch at Miller's Pub.  Here I am in May while attending Amtrak Train Days in Chicago.
I always order a French dip sandwich with a side of french fries.  I know I have made it to downtown Chicago and Wabash Avenue when I have made it to Miller's Pub.

Chicago-America's Railroad Hub

Chicago is truly America's railroad hub.  Railroads from the Northeast, the Southeast and Gulf Coast and the Midwest and West join at Chicago.  Historically, Chicago's shortlines and belt railroads have served Chicago's industries and have linked the railroads that interchange in the Windy City.
Steel from the Steel mills of Chicago and Northern Indiana provided a key source of traffic to Chicago's railroads.  Steel from these mills helped build America.

Erie Lackawanna Train at Marion, Ohio

An Erie Lackawanna train crosses the diamond at Marion, Ohio.  We give a wave to the Chicago bound train.

Today's train travels the tracks of the former Erie.  As the caboose passes our vantage, we give the conductor a wave.  Onward the train travels to Chicago.

Wisconsin Central-One of My First Drawings as a Railroad Artist

On my first big railfan trip to Chicago, I was lucky enough to see a Wisconsin Central train pulled by Wisconsin Central SD45s 6534 and 6510.  That was one of the most exciting trains I had seen up to that date.  As soon as I got home, I drew SD45 6534.

Wisconsin Central was one of the first regional railroads that I drew.  I loved Wisconsin Central's striking paint scheme and "Can Do" spirit as a railroad.

Drawing Wisconsin Central and Montana Rail Link started me on drawing many of the shortlines and regional railroads of the day.  In turn, that was a big start on my becoming a railroad artist.

Grand Trunk Western Freight Heads Towards Chicago

A Grand Trunk Western freight moves auto racks south towards Chicago. Its engineer gives a wave as the train passes.

Grand Trunk Western connected the industries and manufacturing of the North Central United States.  Grand Trunk Western is part of today's Canadian National.

Nickel Plate Road-Route of "High Speed Service"

The Nickel Plate Road connected Buffalo with the Midwest gateways of Chicago and St Louis. A key Nickel Plate Road terminal at Bellevue, Ohio has become the largest hump yard on today's Norfolk Southern.

Nickel Plate Road was well maintained and known for its "High Speed Service". Nickel Plate Road was one of the last railroads in America to operate mainline steam locomotives in regular service.

Illinois Central-The Mainline of Mid America

Illinois Central was known as the Mainline of Mid America.  Illinois Central served states along the Mississippi River, the Gulf Coast and the Upper Midwest.
Illinois Central was known for its City of New Orleans passenger train that operated between Chicago and New Orleans.  "The City of New Orleans" entered pop-culture with the well known Steve Goodman song. Amtrak's City of New Orleans train between Chicago and New Orleans takes its name from the famous Illinois Central passenger train.

Santa Fe All The Way

Santa Fe linked the Midwest gateways of Chicago and Kansas City with the Southwest.  Known for its scenic mainline and its streamlined trains such as the Super Chief, Santa Fe not only connected people and places, but it stood in the hearts of many.

Chicago Great Western-"The Corn Belt Route"

A mile-long Chicago Great Western freight makes its way across the Iowa prairie.  Today's train is under the command of five F-units.

Chicago Great Western became known for its mile long trains and its ability to work with what it had in a Midwest full of competitors.  Chicago Great Western, "The Corn Belt Route," eventually became part of the Chicago and North Western.

A Brief History of Amtrak Hiawtha Service

Truly one of the most elegant trains in America, Milwaukee Road's Twin Cities Hiawatha races towards Chicago.  Milwaukee Road was known as the "Route of the Hiawatha" for its famous Hiawatha passenger trains.
Hiawatha Service on today's Amtrak between Chicago and Milwaukee takes its name from these famous Milwaukee Road passenger trains.  Amtrak operates Hiawatha Service over the trackage of today's Canadian Pacific, which acquired Soo Line, the successor of the Milwaukee Road.

Santa Fe's Chicago to California Connection

Santa Fe connected the Midwest with the Southwest and California.  It was known for its excellent service, its quality trains and its well-maintained right-of-way.

Santa Fe provided a key link between the agriculture of California and markets in Chicago. Its true, straight mainline provided a direct connect between Los Angeles and California's Central Valley to Kansas City and Chicago. 

The Story of America As Seen Aboard Amtrak

It truly was one of my life's great experiences to ride the Amtrak Capitol Limited between Chicago and Washington, DC after Amtrak Train Days in Chicago.  I have always been fascinated with the story of how our railroads built America.  Traveling this stretch of the historic Baltimore and Ohio truly was a treat.
As I relaxed and had a french toast breakfast in the dining car, I watched history roll by my window.  The scenery unfolded in a rich forest of hardwood trees which built the progress of the railroad and the cities and towns along the right of way.
As you see America from a train, your eyes truly experience the story of our country.  You see how the cities and towns connect.  You understand that a lumber mill or factory in the town that you pass sparked the growth of the communities that surround.  You truly see the story of America when you ride upon Amtrak.

A Moment in Cumberland Along the Baltimore And Ohio

I enjoy visiting the historic route of the Baltimore and Ohio.  Many of the cities and towns along the right of way are rich with scenery and history.
Many times, I find myself pausing in Cumberland.  I enjoy watching the freight trains of today's CSX and Amtrak's Capitol Limited as they pass through town.
Cumberland is known as the Queen City.  Cumberland developed as a key junction of the Baltimore and Ohio, where traffic headed for Pittsburgh and Chicago diverged from the line to Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Chicago and North Western-"Route of The 400"

Chicago and North Western served the communities of the Upper Midwest.  The railroad provided a key link between Omaha, Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Chicago and North Western was known as the "Route of 'The 400'."  "The 400" was Chicago and North Western's premier passenger train, connecting the 400 miles between Chicago and the the Twin Cities in 400 minutes.

Metra-Chicago's Commuter Railroad

Part of the thrill of visiting Chicago is seeing the brightly painted Metra Trains. I always enjoy arriving at Union Station and seeing the Metra locomotives hard at work moving Chicago's commuters throughout Chicagoland.

Chicago Burlington and Quincy-Way of the Zephyrs

Chicago Burlington and Quincy was known as "The Way of the Zephyrs" for its famous Zephyr trains, the most famous was the California Zephyr which ran from Chicago to San Francisco in partnership with the Rio Grande and Western Pacific.  Amtrak's Chicago to San Francisco California Zephyr gets its name and a significant portion of its route from this famous train.
 The California Zephyr has always been popular for the beautiful scenery along its right-away as it passes through across both the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.  Chicago Burlington and Quincy proudly advertised its passenger service with its "Way of the Zephyrs" slogan painted on the side of its freight locomotives.