22-12-01 PHOTOS: Buddy Cap

I've been in a position to arrange winter season trips to Chicago and although I am often forced to fly, I sometimes manage to sneak in a Capitol Limited run here and there. 2022 would be my first time back on Train 30 since 2019 and although technically the trip was fine, it did remind me why I am somewhat ambivalent about taking the train to Chicago in the winter. Although the long distance train trip itself didn't offer much in the way of exciting railfan content ( mirror ), I did manage to get down to the Roosevelt Ave railfan skyway after my arrival in Chicago.

After stocking up on snacks in the Metropolitan Lounge, I headed out to board Train 29 on track 15. Of course the weather was cold and wet, which, combined with the short days, made the 405pm departure extra dreary. The one bright spot was the presence of MARC HHP-8 #4910 on the adjacent track #16.

Amtrak ACS-86 #614 and MARC MP36PH-3C #10 were also at the heads of their respective trains on nearby tracks. Part of the reason this trip was possible was that I had made a new Amtrak LD travel friend after a previous one had sworn off using the westbound Capitol Limited in winter.

Amtrak was continuing the process of discouraging travel on the Capitol Limited with limited capacity and amenities, however they had been nice enough to add an extra coach and sleeper to the consist raising the total number of cars to 5. P42DC #78 was the sole engine for the trip.

Looking down Washington Union Station track #15 past K TOWER.

About 30 miles from Union Station, rear facing video from Capitol Limited Train 29 as it diverges through the junction with the CSX Old Main Line at Point-of-Rocks. The video quality was impacted by the low ambient light and dirt on the outside of the window.



About 5 miles further west here is another rear facing video from Train 29 as it passes the CSX Brunswick Yard and MARC Brunswick Station on Metropolitan Sub Track #1 between EAST BRUNSWICK and WEVERTON interlockings.



Smoke stop at Cumberland, MD.

P42DC #78 after an on-time arrival at Pittsburgh with the next day's Pennsylvanian Train 42 on one of the stub tracks.

Train 42 was headed up by a rather shabby P42DC #106 while Train 29 had Superliner coach #34020 on the rear.

Passing the closed HICK tower and the industrial canal along with the famous quad draws over the Calumet River.

NS GP33ECO #4707 at the 47th St intermodal yard.

Passing the Chicago Union Station METRA engine facility we find F40'sPH-2 #119 and #180 lined up with EMD F40PHM-3 #201 along with F40PH-3 #117 and CBQ heritage F40PHM-3 #211.

My train 29 pulled right in so I was able to manage to get a photo of P42DC #78 at its final destination.

Tail end of another LD train with Superliner #81027 next to a bellied METRA cab car.

Walking down to the Roosevelt Ave overpass we find a METRA morning commuter train running inbound to Union Station with F40PHM-3 #213 pushing.

Over by the Union Station METRA shoppe facility we find BNSF GP39-3 #2655 shifting lone METRA cab car #8605.

What I believe to be Amtrak downstate Illinois service Train 391 pulling out of Union Station with SC44 #4625 leading. The head end pair of baggage cars is due to CN's high minimum axle count requirements.

Looking over to Amtrak's yard I caught three P32-8BW's, #517, #504 and #500, all lined up in a neat row. These are used for terminal switching duties and can double as road power in a pinch.

Back to the main tracks we find METRA F40PHM-3 #206 at the rear of an inbound train.

Just then F40PH-3 #117 and CBQ heritage F40PHM-3 #211 show up again at the head of an outbound BNSF Line train which was complete with Pullman bike car #7791.

Back in CP-ROOSEVELT an MoW team was out adjusting the switches.

Wow, what a contrast with the departure weather!

That's it for this set. Next time I will return to downtown Chicago to catch a peak period express train inbound from Elmhurst.