Of all the places I've been to on my photographic journeys, perhaps the best place for trainwatching would be Chicago. Specifically the triple track mainline that heads due west from downtown. This line sees a phenomenal number of trains, well over 100 per day, perhaps the busiest rail line in the country. It is the BNSF Railway's main freight route to the west, and also sees passenger service from Amtrak, and Metra the Chicago area commuter rail agency. In rush hour it was impossible to not have a train in view coming or going, no matter which direction one looked down the tracks. Oftentimes two, three, or even more would be visible at once! Because it is in the commute zone, stations were frequent and closely spaced, and most featured services for the convenience of commuters. Food, ice cream, groceries, book store, banking, etc. Most were also nicely landscaped with shade trees and benches. I spent many a pleasurable afternoon sitting on those benches, in the shade, eating an ice cream (or burger or ?) watching and photographing the passing rail action. What could be better?
Of all the places I've been to on my photographic journeys, perhaps the best place for trainwatching would be Chicago. Specifically the triple track mainline that heads due west from downtown. This line sees a phenomenal number of trains, well over 100 per day, perhaps the busiest rail line in the country. It is the BNSF Railway's main freight route to the west, and also sees passenger service from Amtrak, and Metra the Chicago area commuter rail agency. In rush hour it was impossible to not have a train in view coming or going, no matter which direction one looked down the tracks. Oftentimes two, three, or even more would be visible at once! Because it is in the commute zone, stations were frequent and closely spaced, and most featured services for the convenience of commuters. Food, ice cream, groceries, book store, banking, etc. Most were also nicely landscaped with shade trees and benches. I spent many a pleasurable afternoon sitting on those benches, in the shade, eating an ice cream (or burger or ?) watching and photographing the passing rail action. What could be better?
Indeed!
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