Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In July 2002 I had the opportunity to spend some time in Chicago doing some graduate coursework. Due to the college using adjunct professors for the summer sessions, it was actually cheaper for me to spend a week at a time in Chicago than to take similar courses locally. Plus, I could railfan The Windy City in the evenings when my daily course load was completed!

On Sunday, July 7, 2002, I checked in and quickly moved into my dorm, then set about exploring a Chicago railfan hotspot that I had only read about. Arriving arounf 5:45 pm at the Dolton city building / police station parking lot, which appeared to be a safe and public place to view the action, I quickly got my bearings and waited for trains, which came in quick succession.

First, a CSX intermodal led by an AC60CW with a former Conrail unit in tow headed east on the old B&OCT. Then, a second CSX train teased me as it eased out of Barr Yard only far enough for me to see before backing again toward the yard. But CSX quickly appeared again, with old C-36-7's (or maybe C-30-7's - it was a long way off) taking a train from the IHB yard south on the old C&EI, now a joint UP/CSX operation.

Next came my first encounter with the IHB, an ex-ICG SD20 rebuild running wide open with a LONG cut of cars. Then, an old familiar face, C&O GP15T #1501, brought the CSX local toward Barr Yard.

Then, on the C&EI joint line, a northbound led by both UP and CSX power....whose train is it, anyway?

By 7:00, daylight was fading, and I had a long fight through unfamiliar Chicago traffic to get back to my dorm. And, being Chicago, I DEFINITELY wanted to be in the room before dark! So, it was time to go. But tomorrow was another day!