Chicago Railroad Hotspot: McCook, Illinois (1990)

In this video, C. Vision Productions visits the Chicago hotspot of McCook, to view action on the Santa Fe mainline, along with the shared Indiana Harbor Belt and B&OCT tracks that cross the Santa Fe on a quad set of diamonds. It’s 1990, and Santa Fe’s recently delivered “Super Fleet” GP60Ms are getting put through their paces handling the railroad’s hottest trains. Sit back and relax, as videographer Dan Hadley documents trains of the Santa Fe, Indiana Harbor Belt, CSX, Chicago & North Western, Grand Trunk, Amtrak, and Soo Line at this very busy railroad intersection.
McCook, Illinois:
Santa Fe Chillicothe Subdivision
Indiana Harbor Belt (B&OCT) “MAIN LINE”
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[@SPRailfan4449]

Even though this documentary was short it was still really enjoyable. I love the Santa Fe so seeing them in this documentary was fun. This documentary makes me even more jealous of the 90’s with so many railroads still around, the different colorful paint schemes, and so much action. This documentary really show’s how the mergers really made railroading more bland. Now instead of 8-10 class one railroad’s in the U.S, now it’s just 4. Thank you C Vision and keep making these awesome documentaries to help people remember these fallen flag railroads.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much for another nice comment. Things sure have changed in the 34 years since this footage was captured… It’s great that you have an appreciation for railroading’s past. Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@SPRailfan4449]

@@CVisionProductions1 No problem, I really like the 90’s railroading even though I wasn’t alive in the 90’s. I grew to like that era cause of DVD railroad documentaries.

[@virtual.supertrucker2497]

It’s always a great day when C vision posts

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’re happy that you feel that way!!! Hopefully there will be many more “great days” in the future. Thanks for watching.

[@AlikStansberry]

Incredible variety of power and color schemes from the railroads of the 1990s! That shot of the 4 GP60Ms leading that intermodal (which is in the thumbnail) was gorgeous! Hope you have a good upcoming thanksgiving too.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, Alik! It’s great to hear from you. We hope that you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving as well.

[@TrainVidsWithTom]

Excellent video, brings back a lot of memories! I visited McCook many times as a kid, and it was one of my favorite spots. The IHB in the 90s was an incredible railroad to railfan. I spent many hours along it at McCook and LaGrange, and you never knew what kind of train would be coming around the corner next! And it was always very busy.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much!!! What great memories they must be… It’s tough to beat those nostalgic feelings from our younger years. We very much appreciate the comment.

[@raditioadinugroho8492]

Lots of action in ten minutes Thanks for the video 👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re very welcome! We tried to cram as much as we could into that ten minutes. Thank you for watching and enjoying the video.

[@colinmulder6806]

Back again for another round of FACTOR TIME: 1. Once again another round of thanks needs to be given out for showcasing more of Dan's 1990 visit to Chicago, this time a visit to my #1 favorite spot in the city at McCook JCT. 2. Here SF'S Chicago-California mainline crosses the dubbed JOINT LINE utilized by CSX, IHB, CP/SOO, CR, GTW, & BRC. 3. It's only appropriate we kick-off our visit with one of SF'S HOTTEST symbol Q-NYLA1. Noteworthy in the trio of GP60M'S is #146 only recently painted up RED & SILVER. It was first painted in the BLUE & SILVER MARESK scheme to attend promotional filming & photos on California's Cajon Pass a month ago. 4. Next up is one of those symbols not seen often, STACKER S-LACH8. This particular move is one of the single-customer stack moves that operate mainly ONCE-A-WEEK on an AS-NEEDED basis for Hyundai & occasionally handles COFC. Leaves L.A. on Tuesday it can be seen coming through McCook on Thursday, however if Hyundai traffic is off schedule it can show up on the other days of the week. Turns out this symbol is a TWO railroad venture for it's handed off to Norfolk Southern via the BRC. 5. LUCKY catch of that SPSF C30-7. The few remaining of those became part of a group of 52 that was sent back to G.E. for leasing to power short railroads with CSX acquiring all of them. 6. Next up is Chico's HOTTEST eastbound #1-991. During the three months before Dan's visit these GP60M'S have become quite the fixture for SF'S UPS SHOTTERS. 7. Here witnessing a real FIRST-GENERATION gathering between C&NW'S & IHB'S NW2'S. These diesels are kept up to workable condition to continue making deliveries in-between Chicago area yards. 8. Every few days a WEPX coal arrives into town with a SUPERB mix of power & paint schemes. Originating on the Monongahela railroad in Pennsylvania, these moves travel over a mix of P&LE, CSX, & finally C&NW rails to their destination. As a fixture these trains generally have P&LE cabooses bringing up the markers. 9. BIG BLUE CR contributes plenty of action to McCook. As a common site through this junction, freight moves with CR power are usually making deliveries in-between theirs & C&NW'S Proviso Yard. Although having a CR appearance, these freights operate with IHB crews & same is said with those with C&NW at the helm. Part of the C&NW/CR interchange, symbols NPCRA/NPCRB comes from U.P.'S yard in North Platte, NE to Proviso before utilizing the JOINT LINE to connect onto BIG BLUE'S turf at Blue Island. Originally symbolled NPBIA/NPBIB these can then become CR symbols NPSE/NPSE-X. If Lucky on certain days, symbol OIIH-D can arrive pulling a long string of Army equipment on DODX flat cars. 10. Whether utilizing their own or predecessor painted diesels, CSX too can add in just as much color to the diesels. For transfer jobs around the city a fleet of GP15-1'S can be seen at work. Speaking of which, the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) is not to be overlooked for they contribute just as much. Operating weekly making runs in between yards, IHB pull a variety of endless trains through the JCT behind nothing more but their fleet of veteran switchers for their strategy is TRACTION NOT SPEED for when activity becomes slow which RARELY happens these folks can be counted on to keep things active. Even if on RARE days when activity on both lines becomes stall, the nearby Bulking Material switcher can be seen loading ballast for pick-up by SF. 11. Here's 5-unit CAB HOP passing by with a caboose meeting what looks like either S-CHLA1 or #185. The yard in the background is utilized by SF to interchange traffic with IHB. Two years after this visit, WC & SF began joint intermodal symbols 220/221 for J.B.HUNT utilizing the yard that comes with a connector between the lines. With trackage rights granted to reach Corwith Yard, symbol #221 delivers trailers to go west on #198 while #891 drops them off to become #220 for Green Bay, WS. 12. Although only one of their trains was featured here, CP/SOO is a major player to to CHICO at McCook. On any day you can see them hauling unit potash, gain , coal, & general merchandise through the interlocking. In addition, LA Grange, ILL located North of the diamond both NEW EMD'S used to be built & where the EMD GP60 DEMOS were based when they were not out & about on the road doing road tests along with the GP59 DEMOS as well. Often enough back then, IHB could be seen delivering units to their owners or shuttling them to the plant for modifications or repairs. Building NEW EMD locos for various railroads was later moved to EMD'S NEW shops in London, OT & would be delivered to Chicago, IL on Canadian Pacific's/SOO LINE'S RAILRUNNERS that utilize trackage rights over CSX'S territory between Chicago, IL & Detroit, MN. 13. Here's the FIRST section of SF'S HOTTEST freight #1-199. Leading is the last of the GP60M'S to be delivered #152. Three months later unfortunately, #152 along with #148 were the first two GP60M'S to leave the rooster due to being involved in a head-on collision in Corona, Ca on November 7TH, 1990. 14. Passing by next is what appears to be the SECOND section of 991 symbolled #2-991. This came about seeing that perishable symbols #961 or #971 doesn't carry UPS trailers. 15. Although Amtrak #4 came by probably in the early afternoon, here's #3 heads west to L.A.. passing local power waiting in the interchange yard. One year later would find the F40PH'S teamed up with NEW G.E. DASH-8P32BH'S wearing PEPSI CAN colors. 16. GTW too becomes a key player in the action. On almost any day they're spotted making run between theirs & C&NW'S yard delivering auto parts & auto-racks. Until January 1987, GTW utilize the McCook trackage to access SOO'S Bensenville Yard with symbols #384/385. Although they weren't seen during Dan's visit, it is important to mention that the Belt Railway Of Chicago(BRC) provides the RAREST action here. Operating weekly with two runs a day, BRC'S Chicago C424 centuries can be spotted exclusively moving traffic to & from their Clearing Yard & C&NW'S yard thus making it quite the busiest freight yard in the city. On RARE occasions, a pair of their GP38-2'S can be seen at the helm. 17. We closeout our McCook visit with the SECOND section of HOTSHOT #2-199 hustling another load of time-sensitive UPS to the Bay Area with the second of the first two GP60M'S delivered #101. An half or full hour behind should be first or two second sections of #198 along with evening symbols #189, #185, & #195. 18. I once again can't thank you folks & Dan Hadley himself enough for keeping the nostalgic feeling of 90'S railroading alive & strong.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Hello again, Colin! We’re back to respond to this extensive list of factors. We’ve been editing footage for days… 1. You’re very welcome, as always. We were hoping that you’d enjoy this video. 2. Yes, quite the impressive railroad intersection! There is plenty of variety to be seen here. 3. Those Maersk units were absolutely beautiful. It was fitting that BNSF and NS painted locomotives in similar schemes a decade later. 4. Interesting on that move, Colin. The Santa Fe knew how to make their customers happy. 5. The Kodachrome scheme is one of our favorites, but that may be due to its novelty and unique history. If the scheme would have survived longer, we may feel differently. 6. This was an incredible era on the Santa Fe. Out of all the new locomotives to wear the warbonnet paint scheme, the GP60Ms arguably looked the best. 7. We made sure to put that scene in, Colin. We’re glad that you enjoyed it! 8. Talk about an unlikely service contract… But it’s what the customer needed. Another example of railroads working together to keep their customers happy. 9. Interesting stuff, Colin. The IHB certainly did bridge the gap for many of Chicago’s class ones. 10. We made sure to include CSX’s GP15Ts in our SOO Windy City program. They look extremely similar to EMD’s GP15-1 model. Those transfers definitely weren’t speed demons, but the railroads didn’t mind. Track speeds were generally low, and congestion often prevented movements from traveling over 15-20 mph. So it all worked out in the end. The flat landscape around Chicago ensured that horsepower could be kept to a minimum. 11. Oh, that’s quite interesting! The WC sure did have some creative minds working in their marketing department. For that matter, so did the Santa Fe. And yes, that caboose hop was something we thought viewers would like to see. 12. It was nice that Dan was able to capture one of CP/SOO’s freight trains at McCook. Definitely a nice surprise! As for EMD’s demonstrators, they looked incredible. Those units were always a treat to see. 13. We remember that wreck. Very sad, indeed. It was a somber reminder to always stay vigilant out on the rails. 14. Very cool, Colin. The Santa Fe had an impressive lineup of intermodal trains during this time. 15. Yes, we didn’t find any footage of Amtrak 4 in these McCook tapes. But as you pointed out, number 3 was featured. It was a good thing that Mr. Hadley caught the Southwest Chief in McCook, as both 3 and 4 were permanently rerouted onto Burlington Northern rails only a few years later. 16. We were pleased to find some GTW moves mixed in on Dan’s McCook tapes. Their locomotives looked sharp in 1990. 17. Ah, yes. The evening fleet of hotshots. 70 mph on high greens! 18. You’re very welcome, Colin. We plan to continue the tradition well into the future. C. Vision appreciates you taking the time to engage with our videos.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 1. HAND DOWNS I DID. 2. Depending on which railroad you're interested in, Chicago in the 90'S has anything or everything to offer those into contemporary railroading. 3. I first found out about this engine & train from Gandy Dancer's "RETURN OF THE WARBONNETS" tape for they too were visiting the WINDY CITY at the same time. 4. This same practice goes to a LATER STACKER symbol S-LBKC1 who operated ONCE-A-WEEK for K-LINE. He's turned over to C&NW in Kansas City, KS. 5. Another of mine as well & really? 6. Couldn't agree more. Their 30TH anniversary comes next year. 7. Sure did & much obliged. 8. That's what I call railroad TEAMWORK, 90'S style. 9. Another interesting aspect to IHB is where else can you find veteran switchers lugging a long modern day STACKER through the interlocking? 10. SUPERB thing you did. Once again proves my point like the IHB when it comes to moving freight in-between yards, TRACTION NOT SPEED is the strategy. 11. I didn't knew about this move between the two railroads until looking through a 1992 issue of PACIFIC RAIL NEWS & yes I did enjoy that CAB HOP. 12. A few of EMD'S NEWEST power would be seen on these moves when coming inbound into Chicago. Even SF'S GP60'S in all three models came to them on the RAILRUNNERS & dropped in the interchange yard for final handoff. 13. Not to mention be aware of dragging equipment when near mainline right-of-ways. Although most railroads have excellent safety records, accidents do happen. As a reminder, SAFETY FIRST, LAST, & ALWAYS. 14. It's that reason why fans keeping coming back to see them each time out. 15. Theirs MORE MCCOOK video's Dan has from his visit? I'd like to see them. It wouldn't be until 1996 when Amtrak's 3/4 would be moved to BN'S territory out of Chicago. 16. I'll say. If theirs MORE tapes of Dan's visit to McCook, hoping to see them in the future. The year after Dan's visit, SF & GTW would go into operating a NEW intermodal service in hauling auto part traffic in-between Detroit, MI & Mexico via EL Paso, TX. These symbols would be 197/791 on SF & 207/208 on GTW. 17. Basically the dispatcher gives these symbols the railroad while others get out of there way. Especially on the single track sections of the system. 18. I may plan to do FACTOR TIMES for your other uploads of Dan's work, so you might want to be on the lookout.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much for the response factors, Colin! It’s clear that you take a significant amount of time to write these factors, so they are very much appreciated. We’d like to respond to numbers 15 and 18 in particular: 15. There’s plenty more of Mr. Hadley’s footage on the way. Not much left of McCook, but there’s still several hours of Chicago footage remaining. 18. We look forward to receiving additional factors from you, and we’ll be on the lookout! Thanks again, Colin!

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 1. Much obliged C Vision crew. I always do appreciate your feedback as well for you as well take the time needed to give out your opinions just as much. 2. I once look forward to more footage of Dan's 1990 trip to Chicago, IL along with others from the early 90'S as well. 3. Thanks again. Looking forward to your feedback on them as well.

[@anthonyc1883]

Used to love hanging out in the informal parking area in the SE quadrant of this intersection. I'd often pull out a lawn chair and sometimes not even bother with photos. Sadly, the access road has long been closed off and traffic on the ex-SF though here is nowhere near as frequent now that the big intermodal terminal in Willow Springs just west of here opened,, where most trains originate or terminate. Relatively few movements coming or going through here to/from Corwith anymore.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate both the update, and also your memories of the location. Relaxing in a lawn chair with a cold drink while watching an endless parade of trains sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@colinmulder6806]

Truth be told I could never figure how one manage to get there exactly.

[@AhmearClayIombo-dj6di]

Awesome Catch

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!!

[@AhmearClayIombo-dj6di]

You're Welcome

[@Rails-Of-Illinois]

6:21 Best lashup I've ever seen

[@CVisionProductions1]

You like those 20-cylinders units, eh? Nice!

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 Although been on SF'S territory for only 20 years at the time, these units were still going strong.

[@matthewrinehart9514]

Warbonnets are so sharp! Got to see the freshly painted B unit 537 at rrhma in Silvis IL. Perfectly beautiful❤

[@CVisionProductions1]

We couldn’t agree more! Warbonnets are absolutely awesome, especially in fresh paint. Thank you, Matthew!

[@KaijuForceNeo]

It’s always good to remember that SOO, GTW, Indiana Harbor Belt, Santa Fe, C&NW, and Conrail once ruled the Mainline just 30 years ago.

[@CVisionProductions1]

It absolutely is! Those were great days. If only we could go back… Thank you for the comment.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 I couldn't agree more.

[@mjrodriguez8670]

McCook, Illinois is where the Santa Fe Rwy met the Indiana Harbour Belt line. McCook, Nebraska is a CB&Q Railroad town!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, sir! You are correct, MJ! Thank you for watching the video.

[@chitownnemesis2182]

Those IHB switchers are still in use on the yard just on the south end of Wolf Lake in Chicago. I see them just about every day.

[@CVisionProductions1]

That’s great to hear! The NW2s must be long gone, but the newer SW1500s have survived the test of time. Thank you for checking out the video.

[@kevc2009CC]

Great high speed action and variety!

[@CVisionProductions1]

That’s exactly what we were going for with this one. Thank you kindly for the positive feedback.

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Thumbs up! 🎉

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! We’re glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@paulcastillo1310]

Great video

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Paul!!! We appreciate you watching the video.

[@paulcastillo1310]

@CVisionProductions1 your welcome

[@SIGINT007]

Those Warbonnet Geeps were beautiful machines

[@CVisionProductions1]

They absolutely were! Out of all the modern locomotives to wear warbonnet paint, the GP60Ms probably looked the classiest. We appreciate the comment.

[@wildbill9919]

Those GP60Ms look good in fresh warbonnet paint.

[@CVisionProductions1]

They certainly do! Probably some of the best looking locomotives of all time, if our opinion means anything. Santa Fe really did a good thing by resurrecting the warbonnet color scheme. Thank you very much for watching and commenting.

[@colinmulder6806]

Their 30TH anniversary comes next year.

[@paulj6756]

I came here a lot in the mid 1980s to about 1990 with my good friend Mike Kiriazis who was a somewhat well -known Cicero (later Lyons), IL based photographer. Mike had his own railfan newsletter, "Chicagoland Rails", which could be found at a few area hobby shops. My last visit to McCook was not a good one. There was this obnoxious bunch of a-hole railfans there. They were going onto Vulcan Materials property, climbing onto rock piles (mind you, Vulcan was operating that day). These idiots were also climbing up on the signal masts and bridges too. I got so disgusted that t left. Good thing too because I later found out that the police came and arrested everybody. The next time I went back the dirt road leading to the crossing was blocked by a gate and I didn't even wonder why.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate you sharing that story. It’s quite unfortunate that a few bad apples ruined it for everyone. Back then, fans could almost go anywhere as long as they were “respectful” of private property and didn’t push things too far. My, how things have changed! Thank you for watching the video.

[@colinmulder6806]

Do you know WHEN exactly this happened?

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 It's really sad that it only takes a few BAD APPLES to either SPOIL THE WHOLE BUNCH or in this case RUIN my favorite HOTSPOT to see CHICOS intermodal fleet at SPEED in daylight hours.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

I spotted 1:37 a Santa Fe Kodachrome unit [from the failed Southern Pacific Santa Fe merger] in the consist of the eastbound double stack train and 4:37 a former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie bay window caboose bringing up the rear of the Wisconsin Electric Company coal train.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! Good eye. That Kodachrome unit slipped by pretty fast. As far as the coal train goes, talk about an interesting move. CNW and CSX power, loaded on the Monongahela, all with a P&LE caboose bringing up the rear. The information we found also noted that at least some of these trains were loaded halfway at one mine, then moved to another mine to complete the loading. Surprising and interesting, if true. Thanks, Andrew!

[@colinmulder6806]

That engine model would be the only active SPSF power operating by the end of 1990 with others being repainted or placed into storage.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 Got info on that train who more often than not brought variety in paint & power into the THEN already colorful enough Windy City.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@colinmulder6806 Cool!

[@colinmulder6806]

@@andrewcrumb8027 A few remaining of these were sent back to G.E. for leasing to power short railroads with one of them mainly being CSX. They were part of a group of 52 that went to work on CSX for the remainder of 1990 into 1991.

[@ellisjackson336]

I have my favorite railroads. But that red and silver paint scheme on the Santa Fe was always the prettiest to me. What month in 1990 was this footage shot?

[@CVisionProductions1]

We agree on the warbonnet scheme. It was truly a work of art. As for the month, we’re going with September. ATSF 152 was seen in this video on what appears to be its maiden voyage, and that locomotive shows a September of 1990 build date. Thank you for checking out the video!

[@atsf4931]

Wait wasn’t this from a pentrex vid todays Chicago railroads?

[@CVisionProductions1]

Matt is correct. Mr. Hadley did produce that video for Pentrex using this footage. Thankfully, he kept the rights to his original tapes, and he has shared them with us. Hopefully that explains it.

[@atsf4931]

@@CVisionProductions1yes thank you I really enjoy watching Mccook junction vids

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome.

[@colinmulder6806]

Yes it was. Given 5 STARS on the video review as one of Dan Hadley's BEST WORKS.

[@generalmoonstone]

Are those Geeps Cherokees or Wranglers?

[@DarrenHudson-g2x]

Oh my word that's a good question

[@DarrenHudson-g2x]

@@generalmoonstone I think wranglers

[@rustyshackleford6637]

Big Pimpin

[@CVisionProductions1]

Ha! Thanks, Rusty!!! We’re glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Great video. Like me!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!!

[@MarcelosalivaTRENESArg]

Excellent video my friends 😊awesome 😮 Greeting 🙋 from Argentina 🇦🇷 suscribete

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for the kind words and warm greeting. We’re glad that you enjoyed this video. Greetings from the C. Vision studios in the United States!

[@GRE2057]

why is this only 10 minutes long? shouldn't it be longer???

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for your appreciation of our longer videos. We wanted to concentrate this program’s focus on McCook, as there was a good block of usable footage from this location. There are plenty of longer videos planned for the future. We appreciate your feedback.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1I'm looking forward to them as always.

[@mackenziezimmerer7926]

There was nothing to match the paint shceme of the war bonnets! Flat out best ever, 2nd place was far far behind in the it didn't matter department

[@CVisionProductions1]

That paint scheme was designed back when railroads truly cared about their image. And wow, was it impressive. We have to give the Santa Fe credit for bringing the scheme back and adapting it for their modern “Super Fleet” of locomotives. That was an excellent decision, and it is how their railroad is remembered. Thanks for the comment.

[@colinmulder6806]

​@@CVisionProductions1All thanks to the brain child's of then 1989 president Michael R. Haverty. Determine to make CHICO a driving force to be reckoned with in the 1990'S & drawing from the past, Haverty came up with the solution of repainting the railroads fleet of FP45'S into the reincarnated RED & SILVER resembling the symbol of QUALITY of EXCELLENCE in SERVICE.