Soo Line in the Windy City: Dan Hadley’s Chicago Tour (1990)

[@joelpoland40]

That coverage of Kingsbury Street was fantastic! I can't imagine how many close calls they would have had on an average day.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Joel!!! That crew looked like they were used to it - true professionals at work. We’re grateful that Mr. Hadley had the foresight to document that job. As always, we appreciate the comment.

[@Steven_Williams]

When I used to live on the Southside when I used to work for CDOT, I always looked forward to seeing The SOO Line and later Canadian Pacific switch Kingsbury and Lakewood Ave., whenever I came to the Northside to work. Now, I live a couple of blocks from Lakewood Ave., and no more street running trains. Sometimes gentrification sucks.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’re glad that you had an opportunity to see that. Definitely an important part of Chicago (and railroad) history. And yes, what a major change from 1990 to 2024 in terms of industry, rail operations, and land use. Thanks for the comment.

[@planebois]

Did you ever see the UP work too?

[@cavhutch]

I've seen photos of the Kingsbury Street district before, but this video brings it all to life!! Wonderful to watch from 5,000 miles away & 34 years too late!! Jordan, Soo Line fan from England, U.K.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Jordan!!! We were hoping that fans would appreciate the Kingsbury and Goose Island footage. It’s a shame that all of that trackage has been lost to time. That’s progress for you. Anyway, we very much appreciate you watching and commenting. Greetings from Minnesota!

[@AlexTrain5249]

Dan Hadley’s footage is always such a blast to watch. The SOO, the F40Cs were a real treat and to top it off, F-Units on a revenue freight.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! And thank you! Chicago was full of surprises in 1990, and Mr. Hadley captured it well. There will be more of this Chicago footage released in the future. We appreciate the comment.

[@SPRailfan4449]

Not many people talk about the SOO Line but they were one of the most fun railroads to watch. With there red and white paint schemes. To there locomotives still wearing Milwaukee Road paint schemes. The SOO Line no doubt is one of my favorite railroads of all time. Great documentary again by C Vision Productions showing the prime of the SOO Line on full display. ❤️👍😎

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much! There’s plenty to love about the SOO. This era of the SOO, after they absorbed the Milwaukee Road, is quite interesting. The SOO took on some of the Milwaukee’s charm, while still maintaining their reputation as an organized and well-managed midwestern railroad. We appreciate the comment.

[@KenRusack-cv7eg]

This is one the BEST train videos l have ever watched great job

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, Ken!!! That means a great deal to us. More will be on the way shortly. Stay tuned…

[@FelicianaDelacruz]

I bet the crew, while used to the job, must have had more than a few "words" to say about all the close calls. 🤣 Love these classic videos, thanks for sharing.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Oh, absolutely. We’re sure that there was plenty of “discussion” about the day’s events. Not to mention, the cameraman following them everywhere they went! These guys were true professionals. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@andrewdiesel4014]

Soo Line is truly a Classic

[@CVisionProductions1]

We agree, Andrew! Thank you!!!

[@andrewdiesel4014]

@ You’re welcome!

[@Kelso2003]

Soo Line is such a classic

[@CVisionProductions1]

100% agreed! They were a class act. And those paint schemes of theirs were stellar. Thanks for watching.

[@pm565b2]

This is from "Todays Chicago Railroads". This was always my favorite scene watching the mp15 do street running. I grew up watching the bandits out of humboldt yard in Minneapolis.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! Mr. Hadley did produce a video of that name for Pentrex, and much of this footage was featured in it. However, we included some extra scenes that weren’t used in their video. Gotta love those bandits! Ugly to some, beautiful to others. Thank you for watching.

[@artistikfunk5916]

Damn, I started railfanning 20 years too late. great footage!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Art!!! Same here! If only we had that time machine… Bam, right back to 1975 on the Milwaukee, we’d go. We appreciate you watching the video.

[@Abandonedchannel21]

I miss those days

[@CVisionProductions1]

We do too! There was so much to see back then, and the railroad industry was in a state of renaissance. Thanks for the comment.

[@Nicola636128]

Wow! Outstanding video, expecially the street running part.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much for the kind words! This type of street running is becoming increasingly rare. The crew really did a great job “maneuvering” around all those obstacles. Unfortunately, the street trackage in this video is no longer used. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@dkservice424]

Grew up in River Forest IL in the mid 1970 / 80’s. Double track line passed 30 feet from the side of my house and would railfan from my bedroom window. Will never forget seeing unit 1776 bicentennial paint scheme when it was shiny brand new. Looked cool as hell when I was around 12 years old. Miss the SOO.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Those sound like great memories! The SOO was a fascinating railroad, with lots of clean power and neat operations. We’re glad that you found this video interesting. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@garysprandel1817]

Unfortunately that's one very dead piece of railroad these days

[@Joseph-kq1qx]

Loved the Kingsbury footage!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Joseph! It was definitely something to see! That train crew did an excellent job maneuvering around all those (often moving) obstacles.

[@colinmulder6806]

Once again FACTOR TIME: 1. Let me start off by saying THANK YOU. Dan's visit to Chicago is one of my personal favorites. In addition to the SD39 filmed, SOO also acquired 6 SW1200'S upon purchasing the MN&S. 2. Excellent work for giving fans a RARE look inside TOWER B-17. Not to mention EXTENDED footage of the FORD FAST (CP #425) & the two intermodal HOTSHOTS. 3. Metra purchase of the lines in September 1987 happened only a month before SOO'S spin-off LAKE STATES TRANSPORTATION became regional legend WISCONSIN CENTRAL. Bensenville is THE PLACE to acquire as many rooster shots possible for occasionally visitors from CP RAIL can arrive on the RAILRUNNERS from Canada. Metra only has 15 F40C'S as part of a special order modified for 3200 HP. Extra power is for heating, lighting , & cooling off the commuter cars. 4. Much obliged for showing EXTENDED scenes of the KINGSBURY SWITCHER'S operations. At one time it's route originally went all the way through towards Union Station, however it was cut back towards Grand Avenue who's paper company recently closed it doors when Dan visited. Well done with the visited to Edgebrook along with spotting W&C'S F-Units leading their CHICAGO JOB. Only during Summer's long days can you see this BI-WEEKLY railroad in daylight while SOO'S SPRINT TRAINS are supposed to make the runs between Chicago & St. Paul, MN in 8 hours & 45 minutes. 5. Ah yes BLUE ISLAND, the place where movements of SOO LINE, CSX, GTW, IHB, & IOWA INTERSTATE can be spotted. SOO freights can run on trackage rights with CSX to & from Louisville, KY or Detroit, MI. 6. CSX light engine moves occasionally pass to & from their BARR YARD or then THEN NEW intermodal terminal in Bedford Park next door to BRC'S Clearing Yard. IHB is constantly moving traffic to & from their Riverdale Yard & others within the city. I had no idea SF would sell off their cabooses to other roads with Iowa Interstate being one of them.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Welcome back, Colin! It’s always a good day when we open our comments page and see “FACTOR TIME”. Our factor responses can be found below: 1. We appreciate the warm and friendly opening to your comment. You are most certainly welcome! 1b. The SOO really did have a great variety of EMD power in those days, including the former MN&S fleet. 2. We were hoping that you would appreciate seeing inside the tower, specifically at a time when all the old CTC equipment was still in service. As for the “Ford Fast”, and Kansas City “Sprint” train coverage, we’re glad that you enjoyed it. 3. Lots of big changes occurred in 1987. In addition to the Wisconsin Central’s October 1987 birthday, another regional legend came into existence the same month. Montana Rail Link, of course! 3b. F40Cs were neat locomotives. Thank you for the extra information on them. Definitely a noteworthy design. 4. You’re very welcome regarding the Kingsbury and Goose Island coverage. What an awesome network of street and industrial trackage! Mr. Hadley did a fine job capturing it, in our opinion. 4b. Thank you for the extra information about the paper company -that is good to know. 4c. Also, thank you for the kind words about our Edgebrook segment. Lots of neat trains passed by Dan’s camera in a very short amount of time. 5. Yes, sir! Blue Island is quite the impressive location. Without a doubt, one of Chicago’s most iconic railroad intersections. 6. It would appear so! That massive light engine move (with all those Chessie and Seaboard units) was a good catch on Dan’s part. Thank you for taking the time to hit us with another round of factors. We hope to do it again very soon.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 1. Anytime folks. 1B. If you thought SOO had variety when Dan visited in 1990, wait until 1995 when LEASE POWER begin showing up. 2. I did on BOTH. 3. Oh yes, I could never forget the MRL, thanks for the reminder. Maybe I should post FACTOR TIME posts on your videos for MRL & WC as well. 4. I couldn't agree more. 4B. You're very welcome & anytime once again. 4C. You're welcome once again & I couldn't agree more with you once again. 5. To me Blue Island is my SECOND favorite HOTSPOT to visit next to McCook JCT. 6. As it was stated one should learn to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED when visiting the Windy City, for sooner or later almost anything might show. Speaking of which one such happened at Blue Island but wasn't shown was the passing of a GTW EXCECUTIVE SPECIAL highballing North. 7. Good news I left you another FACTOR TIME post on your McCook video along with a few other responses.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Colin! Nothing has appeared on the McCook video, however. We checked all the options to display comments, and it’s not there. As you’ll recall, this isn’t the first time that this has occurred.

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 Don't worry. When I get home I'll have the comment up on that video. Just be nearby your computer ready to send a like to it upon posting.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Alright, we’re standing by. Thanks again!

[@raditioadinugroho8492]

Awesome video 👍 Thanks 👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! And you’re very welcome.

[@matthewrinehart9514]

Totally enjoyed this one. Especially the F7s pulling freight. 😊

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Matthew! Those F7s were a real treat! And, the engineer notched up just in time for a notch 8 run-by. We appreciate the comment.

[@matthewrinehart9514]

@@CVisionProductions1 totally digging the sound. I used to backhaul out of metro recycling in blue island. No problem sitting up on the hill watching trains as long as i could.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Oh, yeah. And Blue Island is definitely a good place to be “stranded” for a while…

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

Wow this one brings me back. I wouldve been 5 then and we always went to bville and fp to watch the soo line and wisconsin central and check out the engine house

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’re glad to be able to bring back some of those great memories. This was an incredible era in railroading! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Very nice 10:55 The first crossing upgraded but if you look down the track you can still see some of the classic Griswold EM pedestal crossing signals still

[@CVisionProductions1]

Oh, yeah! That old Griswold crossing signal equipment was awesome to see. If only more of those installations were still in service today… Thank you for the comment.

[@tyhik9338]

Man this is amazing

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! It’s nice to know that our viewership is enjoying this video. We’ll be sharing more Chicago content in the future. Stay tuned!

[@joewlosjosephwlos5713]

Never saw the make shift SOO colors on old Milwaukee Road engines, looks cool !

[@CVisionProductions1]

We agree! Those “bandits” were a neat addition to the SOO’s roster. Of course, we’d rather have true Milwaukee Road power, but this is the next best thing. Thank you for the comment.

[@JeffGuillenoYoutubeChannel]

Bring back the iconic locomotive

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, if only! The SOO had a top notch fleet of EMD power back in 1990. Thanks for watching.

[@planebois]

HEYYY NORTHSIDE FREIGHT OPERATIONS!!!! WOOHOOO

[@CVisionProductions1]

Woohooo is right! Hahaha. That seems to be a popular phrase around Bensenville. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@patricknoveski6409]

Did you notice at 6:00, those people cutting across the busy yard? Back before lawsuits & industrial fences 😅 I always stop to watch Dan Headly's films. But this one Ive never watched. Amazin always.

[@mjrodriguez8670]

The SOO Line paint scheme of red and white looked more aesthetically pleasing than the candy apple red.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Hello there, MJ! That SOO paint scheme topic can be highly contentious! The white scheme was classic, for sure. But that “candy apple red” was mighty sharp, especially when clean. We’ll refrain from picking a favorite. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

I always thought it was because they knew the cp merger was coming and it just made it easier when that did happen. Kinda like the red and sf/sp scheme for that merger that never happened

[@CVisionProductions1]

@plisskenationbackfromthede3657 It’s very possible that they knew change was coming. It seemed that many of the class ones that lost their independence in that era developed sharp new paint schemes shortly before they were merged out of existence. Go figure. And yes, that SPSF paint scheme was pretty darn cool. Eye-catching, if nothing else. Thanks for weighing in.

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

@@CVisionProductions1 we went to bensenville alot back then and around that time we started to see more and more cp engines suspiciously showing up. Then about 10 years later, everything was cp red lol

[@CVisionProductions1]

The “CP Rail System” era was neat, but it marked the end of the SOO as we knew it. Good things never seem to last forever…

[@thatguywillt]

I work in Bensenville now. I vaguely remember some of these scenes. That giant maintenance building was torn down probably 20 years ago. New Metra station. It's so weird to be looking back like this.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate that you, a current railroader that works this territory, would enjoy this video. The stark contrast between then and now must be quite striking. We did notice that several railroad buildings had been removed since these scenes were captured. It looks like some changes have been made to the track layout as well. Anyway, thank you for the comment, as well as the information therein.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

18:43 I remember seeing this scene in Pentrex's program, Street Running.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! And you can expect to see more street running in the future. We may even do a full video on it. Mr. Hadley shot that program for Pentrex, and all of the footage is now in our possession. Thank you, Andrew!

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 My pleasure, and I also remember seeing a bit of the same scene from the Pentrex preview, Today's Chicago Railroads.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Also correct! You definitely know your train videos.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 I sure do. Thank you.

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome.

[@LJRailfan-Gamer_07.]

10:39 missed opportunity to say that the Metra F40C’s had names. In this case; 605 was named “Village of Hanover Park”

[@CVisionProductions1]

And now you’ve created that opportunity! Thank you for sharing that information.

[@ghanaking5255]

Halloween is this coming Thursday. It's nice to....ahem...SEE the SOO LINE back from the train valhalla to remind us of the glory days of spotting trains in the early to mid 1990's. Today, we have CSX, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CN, Union Pacific, and CPKC ( Canadian Pacific / Kansas City )... Oh, and Wisconsin and Southern Milwaukee. They wouldn't be here if it wasn't for SOO ( and Chessie System....AND ConRail, can't forget them! ) so thanks for conjuring, I mean bringing them up for an encore performance. Happy Halloween 🎃, toot on!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Awesome comment! We figured this video would be appropriate for Halloween, considering how much Milwaukee Road orange and black was captured by the videographer. Not to mention, a big chunk of the footage was filmed in the fall. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@Buteo14]

I worked for the Soo in ND and Minnesota.

[@CVisionProductions1]

That’s awesome! What years did you work there? And may we ask which terminals?

[@CSXEK]

The SOO rides on my CSX Layout I just got a train set that includes a SOO GP40 locomotive and I also have a soo line boxcar I love my new SOO engine

[@CVisionProductions1]

That’s really neat! It’s always nice to have some Soo Line representation on your layout. Thank you for sharing.

[@cbehr91]

When I was in the area in June (of 2024) Tower B-17 was still open.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, it’s quite amazing that the railroad has decided to keep it open. There have been rumors for years that they’d like to close it and shift all of the operator’s responsibilities over to the Elgin Dispatcher. If Metra wasn’t involved, that probably would have already happened, but it’s hard to say for certain. Thank you for watching the video.

[@tomhewson501]

Do you happen to have any footage,of the Elsdon yard ?​@@CVisionProductions1

[@CVisionProductions1]

@tomhewson501 Doesn’t sound familiar, so it’s not likely that we do. Thanks for asking though!

[@trainchaserlouisvilleindia7096]

13:32 is this park is the truck still used today? it’s quite unique

[@CVisionProductions1]

Quite a bit of that street trackage still shows up on satellite maps, but it looks very out of service. From our understanding, operations ceased some time ago. Thanks for the question.

[@danielwalton9012]

Get Ready 2 Series 3 update!

[@wnyp636]

Loving all of Mr. Hadley's footage! I think I have just about every single Pentrex video he did, but it's nice to see scenes that weren't included and/or extended scenes. With regard to the SOO Line, would you happen to know if anything of your footage in your archives contains a Soo Line defect detector? I've purchased all of your Soo Line videos (and those of many other vendors), but have yet to locate a single one, although they did exist. Thanks!

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate the kind words, sir. As for the SOO detector, we don’t have any footage with them included. But, we have heard a recording of the SOO’s 183.0 detector west of Portage. You may be able to search it and find it. Good luck, and thanks for watching.

[@markrhuett]

I wonder if those industrial tracks are still used to this day.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Good question, Mark. Unfortunately, they are not. Quite a bit of that trackage is still there, but looks to be unusable. That’s progress for you… Anyway, thank you for watching and commenting.

[@DerrickTony68]

1990 the Ford Hauler was SOO425 For the Twin Cities

[@CVisionProductions1]

The “Ford Fast” did become 425 sometime in the 90s, but we’re not sure when that was. In 1990, we believe that it was still 203. Those train symbol and service design changes can make your head spin! Thank you for watching the video.

[@jalilmuhammad8270]

@@CVisionProductions1 The Ford Fast was discontinued in 2011 under Canadian Pacific operations due to the Ford plant in Minnesota closing that year.

[@davejustice7464]

They have 2. Cameras there at blue island near the bridges

[@CVisionProductions1]

Nice! It’s a great place for them.

[@John-cg8hb]

IROC-Z28 at 36:20

[@CVisionProductions1]

Nice! Thanks, John.

[@kennethphillips318]

Huzzah!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Ha! Yes, sir! Thank you for checking out the video.

[@garysprandel1817]

Bville looks nothing like that anymore though I was surprised to see s boxcar still in Burlington paint in the early 90s. Bit of a downer seeing a lot of those locations as those were the stomping grounds for me and my railfan buds back in the day and as of this past May I'm the last man standing.

[@jalilmuhammad8270]

This same year, the Soo Line Railroad was subjugated by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, things were about to change on the Soo Line. Things are quite different 34 years later!

[@Derailedtrain666]

That old head on the Goose Island job and his hook have certainly seen some sh*t in their career.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We were thinking the exact same thing. These guys had seen everything, and they definitely knew how to handle it. Street running, and better yet, street switching, is high level stuff for railroaders. It keeps you on your toes. Thanks for the comment.

[@markvogel5872]

Lack of graffiti is interesting.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes. Different times, for sure. Thanks for watching, Mark.