Chicagoland Junction Series: Jay Tower, Chicago Heights, IL. 10-12-09.

[@incidious13]

Very nice. That's were I am from. Too bad we can't turn back the clock about 30 years... I remember MoPac, The J & mostly ICG on these lines. The Penn Central was a couple blocks north of the J and only frequented weekends. Then Chessie, UP & Seaboard colors started invading in the mid 80's. Thanx for an awesome film!!! -J

[@ThundercatDarklion]

Awesome!!!!!! I once saw going through Rockford Illinois on the old Illinois Central Chicago to Iowa line a CN train with three locomotives EJ&E, Illinois Central, & Wisconsin Central on a westbound grain train an couple or so years ago.

[@MagictrainsOrg]

Awesome video, Thanks Frank,Bob!

[@SFLRailFan]

Man... You sure do make some awesome videos and this is definitely one of them. You got so much more than trains, you got the human element as well which I like a lot. As much as I try, my videos can't live up to yours, Frank. Five stars and a big --- HELL YEAH!!!

[@kenjr29mfl]

Awesome video 5***** Love the horn on #668.

[@boxcarfrank]

I wasn't even around in the 80s LOL. Unfortunately, I don't have any footage from the 90s. I remember seeing stuff that when I think back, made me wish I had a camera back then..

[@boxcarfrank]

Thanks for the comments!

[@strobx1]

It's not very often that you see a MOW crew welding a rail with Cordite. Yes it is an explosives used in naval guns, but its high degree of heat makes it ideal for welding rail. The rails are butted to each other, a mold is clamped around the rails and the cordite ignited. The ends of the rail melt together. The slag is chipped of and the railheads ground smooth. I've seen this on the Coopersville & Marne of which I'm a volunteer machinist. In WW2 cordite granades sabotaged Nazi guns weld shut.

[@KSE828]

Nice SD-38!

[@KSE828]

What was the point of the guy getting off of 668 @ 7:16? He just got right back on again after the train had cleared the crossing...so it was sorta pointless...

[@JeanPierre-jb5ln]

At gateless xings, The Law requires the crossing is blocked by a man standing in the middle of the highway until the train is halfway across i.e blocking the highway, then he can get back on the train if he wishes

[@joliettraveler]

I worked that tower in the summer of 65.

[@conductorbill]

wonderful clips as always frank, you have anything from the late 80's early 90's around the Chicago area?? would love to see some of the older stuff if anyone has any, especially for sale.

[@railfanstreator94]

I heard what I'd assume was the conductor on that EJE 668 talking to two people while they were waiting on the welding crew. what was he talking to both railroad's dispatchers?

[@Aaron200707]

Illinois sure has alot of towers it seems like. You seem to keep finding them. Do you know which the bussiest out of the ones you keep visiting?

[@bradleyw3771]

Is that conductor Mike Childers walking with his back to the camera?

[@HOTRAILProductions]

What kind of camera do you have? Also, how busy is this location?

[@vladimir2366fa]

Thanks you, Videos veyr nice, ５★★★★★

[@bradleyw3771]

I ran that engine when I was hogging for the J

[@crystalchristensen7068]

Call66666