C. Vision's tour of railroads in and around the Chicagoland area continues in Windy City Rails, Volume 3.
In this program, videographer Marshall Beecher takes his cameras to multiple mainline crossings at the always busy Blue Island Junction. This location, most often distinguished by the big steel bridges spanning the Calumet Sag Channel, has a multitude of activity from host roads Indiana Harbor Belt, CSX, Canadian National and Metra's Rock Island District, which passes over the south end of the junction. Throw in a wide variety of pool power and the appearance of run-through moves by roads Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific and BNSF and you will see why Blue Island Junction is such a great Chicagoland hotspot.
Due to the unique track arrangement of the junction, parallel moves from various roads can be seen occurring simultaneously, a sight our cameras had the opportunity to catch on many visits. In addition, short line and regional action was found, including appearances from the Iowa Interstate and Chicago Rail Link. Add in predecessor power from the UP, BNSF and the CN, and you will witness the cornucopia of action that this legendary hotspot is known for.
For a colorful spectrum of freight and passenger action, Blue Island Junction cannot be beat!
Color, HiFi Stereo sound, professional quality
DVD narration on/off option
Running time 119 minutes
Copyright 2007 C. Vision Productions
In this program, videographer Marshall Beecher takes his cameras to multiple mainline crossings at the always busy Blue Island Junction. This location, most often distinguished by the big steel bridges spanning the Calumet Sag Channel, has a multitude of activity from host roads Indiana Harbor Belt, CSX, Canadian National and Metra's Rock Island District, which passes over the south end of the junction. Throw in a wide variety of pool power and the appearance of run-through moves by roads Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific and BNSF and you will see why Blue Island Junction is such a great Chicagoland hotspot.
Due to the unique track arrangement of the junction, parallel moves from various roads can be seen occurring simultaneously, a sight our cameras had the opportunity to catch on many visits. In addition, short line and regional action was found, including appearances from the Iowa Interstate and Chicago Rail Link. Add in predecessor power from the UP, BNSF and the CN, and you will witness the cornucopia of action that this legendary hotspot is known for.
For a colorful spectrum of freight and passenger action, Blue Island Junction cannot be beat!
Color, HiFi Stereo sound, professional quality
DVD narration on/off option
Running time 119 minutes
Copyright 2007 C. Vision Productions
Customer Reviews
✓ Verified Purchase
- 5 of 5
If you like hard working, down-to-earth railroading, you'll love this video. No sweeping vistas or 60MPH freights, just tons of trains operating through Blue Island and Chicago. Freight trains and the variety of railroads and motive power around Chicago abound in this DVD. A real value!
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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- 4 of 5
A Great DVD most all trains are photographed in good sun lite different angles and well presented narration is informative and keeps the show interesting C vision does a great job of showing most of the trains consist so if you like checking out those freight cars along with an endless verity of trains this DVD is a must have.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? Definitely.
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- 5 of 5
This is the third of a 5-volume series covering railroad hot spots in the Chicago IL area. This DVD covers the Blue Island Junction.
<p>Blue Island Junction is probably one of the most recognizable railfan hotspots in the Chicago area. It's five side-by-side through truss bridges crossing the Calumet River are familiar to railfans everywhere. 5 railroads – Canadian National, CSX, Indiana Harbor Belt, Iowa Interstate and Metra – have tracks through this busy junction. And Belt Railway of Chicago, Canadian Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Chicago Rail Link and Union Pacific all show up as run-throughs. Not counting Metra, there are probably a hundred trains a day crossing the junction.
<p>There really is not much else to say about this DVD than it is non-stop action, sometimes with two or three, or more, trains at the same time. And that is what you would see if your were there. Here is a bit of trivia for you. You sense a bit of deja vu when you see the IHB's black and orange lightning stripe hood units. Think about the railroad that made lightning stripes common on diesel engines. Yep, New York Central. NYC was owner the IHB many years ago.
<p>Narration is minimal, but it would have been nice to have markers listing the railroad, origin and destination of the trains that are seen. The photography is sharp and clear. The children will like this DVD for it's mostly fast-paced action and loud horns. Fans of the Canadian cowl units, sometimes called barns, will find a lot to like in this video – one train has a set of three.
<p>Blue Island Junction is probably one of the most recognizable railfan hotspots in the Chicago area. It's five side-by-side through truss bridges crossing the Calumet River are familiar to railfans everywhere. 5 railroads – Canadian National, CSX, Indiana Harbor Belt, Iowa Interstate and Metra – have tracks through this busy junction. And Belt Railway of Chicago, Canadian Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Chicago Rail Link and Union Pacific all show up as run-throughs. Not counting Metra, there are probably a hundred trains a day crossing the junction.
<p>There really is not much else to say about this DVD than it is non-stop action, sometimes with two or three, or more, trains at the same time. And that is what you would see if your were there. Here is a bit of trivia for you. You sense a bit of deja vu when you see the IHB's black and orange lightning stripe hood units. Think about the railroad that made lightning stripes common on diesel engines. Yep, New York Central. NYC was owner the IHB many years ago.
<p>Narration is minimal, but it would have been nice to have markers listing the railroad, origin and destination of the trains that are seen. The photography is sharp and clear. The children will like this DVD for it's mostly fast-paced action and loud horns. Fans of the Canadian cowl units, sometimes called barns, will find a lot to like in this video – one train has a set of three.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Excellent value!
Recommend? "Must Have"!
Was this review helpful?