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Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019

I'll be railfanning in Chicago between Christmas and New Years. Staying on the Loop. Any railfanning suggestions? Gonna try to ride all the lines.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by eyedoctor on Sun Dec 1 16:42:00 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

CTA Brown and Pink line for the grade crossings. Only heavy 3rd rail rapid transit in USA with grade crossings (Excluding Metro North and LIRR as they are commuter trains powered by 3rd rail in the inner suburbs for the majority). Metra Rock Island Suburban branch and Metra Electric South Chicago branch both have more of a light rail feel with street median ROW. Both unique for commuter railway, the latter electric powered.


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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Sun Dec 1 16:53:46 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

Look up Chicagoland Hobbies in Norwood Park. Take METRA-UP or the Blue Line to Jefferson Park and the 68 bus.

Watch yourself or stay away from the Roosevelt subway station and the passageways between the Dearborn and State State subways.

Do not hang around the Belmont or Wilson L stations, especially at street level.



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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by randyo on Sun Dec 1 17:16:27 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by eyedoctor on Sun Dec 1 16:42:00 2019.

Don’t forget the South Shore.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Alan Follett on Mon Dec 2 00:45:39 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by eyedoctor on Sun Dec 1 16:42:00 2019.

The Yellow Line also has grade crossings. This is the LAST remnant of the North Shore Line interurban.

Alan Follett
South San Francisco, CA

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by italianstallion on Mon Dec 2 15:45:12 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Sun Dec 1 16:53:46 2019.

I used those passageways in the evening with no issues.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Mon Dec 2 16:28:37 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by italianstallion on Mon Dec 2 15:45:12 2019.

Good for you, but there have been beatings and muggings there during rush hour.

"Most recently, a 19-year-old Edgewater woman told police that a man threatened to shoot her during a hold-up on the Quincy Orange Line platform around 4:05 p.m. Sunday."

Quincy-Wells


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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by italianstallion on Mon Dec 2 19:10:26 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Mon Dec 2 16:28:37 2019.

4:05 Sunday is not rush hour.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Mon Dec 2 19:11:04 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Sun Dec 1 16:53:46 2019.

My late aunt lived in Edgewater for 52 years and was a daily Red Line commuter. Thankfully she was never accosted.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Mon Dec 2 19:26:29 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by italianstallion on Mon Dec 2 19:10:26 2019.

I didn't say it was, nor is Quincy & Wells part of the 2 subway lines.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by TerrApin Station on Tue Dec 3 07:42:35 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Sun Dec 1 16:53:46 2019.

LOL!! There's no rail transit in the USA AFAIK that is soooooo dangerous that you have to "stay away". Let the man railfan and stop being paranoid.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Dec 3 08:00:32 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

The Red line from Lake to Jackson is all one platform. Wikipedia has it as the longest "railway" platform in North America. Three present station-stops and one abandoned.

The impression I got (based on light level and cleanliness) was that they really don't want you walking in between the stops but I don't think I encountered anything saying not to.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Mark S. Feinman on Tue Dec 3 10:43:24 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

Walk the Loop! Go to any of the parking garages adjacent to the Loop, go to the floor at track level and grab some great pictures and viewing. The garage at Tower 18 is a MUST for percussion fans!!!

--Mark

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by George Foelschow on Tue Dec 3 11:22:35 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Mark S. Feinman on Tue Dec 3 10:43:24 2019.

For the uninitiated, Tower 18 is located at Lake and Wells Streets, a three-quarters grand union flat junction used by all Loop "L" lines entering, leaving, and passing through. The other remaining tower in the Loop is Tower 12 at Wabash Avenue and VanBuren Street. The third Loop tower was Tower 8 at Wells and Van Buren, used by Metropolitan trains. It was demolished along with the structure used by Met trains when Douglas (Pink) and Garfield (forerunner of Congress, now Blue) trains were routed into the Dearborn subway.

I recommend Graham Garfield's excellent website, www.Chicago-L.org, as an excellent reference.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:09:03 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

Wow! Where do I start? I would first suggest One of the bridges at Adams and Wabash on the Loop L. The Roosevelt overpass over Amtrak and Metra. The garage on the southeast corner of Lake and Well Streets overlooking Tower 18, Depending on how powerful a camera try the corner of Archer and Wentworth, which can be reached from the Red line existing at the north end of the Cermak station. There you can get the Orange an Red lines with the Chicago skyline in the background. Armitage on the Brown line you can get good shots of the Brown and Purple lines, as well as a good view of the Red line trains entering and leaving the subway portal. Sheridan Rd station of the Red line a curved station is also good, as well as the Sedgwick stop on the Brown Purple lines another curved station is also good.


Mai I also suggest I trip on the Metra Electric (IC) from the Randolph Michigan Ave station on the Blue Island branch to Blue Island, and cross the street (Vermont St) and return to the Loop on the Metra Rock Island to LaSalle St station.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:10:25 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Sun Dec 1 16:53:46 2019.

It's relatively safe in the day time.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:11:15 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Mon Dec 2 16:28:37 2019.

No worse than New York.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:11:42 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by TerrApin Station on Tue Dec 3 07:42:35 2019.

iawtlp

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:12:52 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Mark S. Feinman on Tue Dec 3 10:43:24 2019.

Hi Mark how are you. Hope to see you on the Real Holiday train on the 15th.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by italianstallion on Tue Dec 3 12:31:43 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:11:15 2019.

Right.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Tue Dec 3 18:35:49 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:11:15 2019.

Chicago has 8 times the homicide rate. Chicago is NY in the 1970's.

Ignorance is Bliss.

"Man fatally shot inside Howard CTA station this afternoon; Suspect being questioned"

Howard-CTA

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 18:48:13 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Tue Dec 3 18:35:49 2019.

I wish I could disagree with you, but unfortunately stats don't lie.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Tue Dec 3 19:30:18 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Dec 3 08:00:32 2019.

IIRC Washington was abandoned and Lake added in its place. IINM Monroe is still a stop.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Tue Dec 3 19:53:44 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 18:48:13 2019.

That's right. I wish it weren't so. I loved my Chicago vacations from 1999 to 2012. Now - forget it.

Lightfoot is every put as stupid as Emanuel. She has endorsed Kim Foxx for re-election. Her paroling of repeat felons is the root cause of all of this.

Used to be if you took common sense precautions like walking alone after 11pm, staying out of some west and south neighborhood, stay out of the back alleys was sufficient. Now you are not safe anytime, anywhere, including the Loop, and especially the Near North and Mag Mile - unsuspecting tourists while the traditional press and media cover it up to avoid bad publicity.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by italianstallion on Tue Dec 3 20:12:55 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Tue Dec 3 19:53:44 2019.

Too funny.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue Dec 3 20:16:33 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by italianstallion on Tue Dec 3 20:12:55 2019.

What is so funny?

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Express Rider on Tue Dec 3 23:25:16 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Dec 3 08:00:32 2019.

I was in Chicago spring 1976, and walked between stops (don't remember which ones). No personell stopped me, and I saw other people (not too many though) walking between stops as well.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Wed Dec 4 00:27:34 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Tue Dec 3 19:30:18 2019.

My understanding is that Ritchie II had a slice taken out of the continuous platform as part of his idiotic airport express service plan. So the pre existing north end of what was Washington was renamed. I now have a pillar sign from W.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 06:22:59 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:09:03 2019.

Thanks!

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Wed Dec 4 10:05:29 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 06:22:59 2019.

My pleasure.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Wed Dec 4 13:21:03 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:09:03 2019.

from personal preference, two other Metra Electric ideas; Having lived along the South Chicago Branch, I think it is worth visiting. Also, consider finding a rush hour special running nearly non stop 11th to Kensington or further.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by George Foelschow on Wed Dec 4 16:50:42 2019, in response to Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Sun Dec 1 16:33:43 2019.

To JRR4: Upon your return from Chicago, I would be interested in your impressions of the city and its rail systems, positive, negative, and neutral.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 17:16:14 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by George Foelschow on Wed Dec 4 16:50:42 2019.

Will do. If I survive.


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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 17:21:53 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by italianstallion on Tue Dec 3 20:12:55 2019.

You can fantasize all you want.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 17:24:16 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Wed Dec 4 00:27:34 2019.

I forgot all about that.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 17:36:34 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by italianstallion on Tue Dec 3 20:12:55 2019.

Another dose of reality on Wednesday morning that you'll find "funny", right in a downtown subway station in the AM rush where you "feel safe".

"Citizen holds CTA robbery offender at gunpoint in Loop (but the good Samaritan may be in hot water, too)"

LaSalle

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Wed Dec 4 19:03:53 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 17:36:34 2019.

LaSalle and Congress. CTA has two LaSalle stations.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Wed Dec 4 19:04:56 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 17:16:14 2019.

You will survive. I intend on surviving New York next week.


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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 19:19:34 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Wed Dec 4 19:03:53 2019.

So recent, daytime, violent incidents in quick rapidity at places that common sense would not say to avoid: Quincy/Wells (near Union Station), Howard, and Lasalle(Blue).

Ain't going back until Lightfoot and Foxx are gone and effective government returns.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Dec 5 03:52:22 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Joe V on Wed Dec 4 17:24:16 2019.

well, I was there in early September this year for several days, so I passed by the wrecked platform area. I still think it gives CTA the option of an undergrounmd Transit Museum in the space that was carved out. (Block 37)
They would be able just as the TA, to move museum equipment out for excursions,and have amuseum setting for preserved equipment. Another tourist attraction,yuay!

As to your safety concerns about visitiong the city, I canonly say that both last year and this I came in to see oldfriends and do the tiniest bit of railfanning. We had noproblems.
BTW, we visited a Kyrgyz restaurant on Ashland directly next to the Ravenswood (brown) Line. I had liked it 6 years ago, butit has improved.
Walked from my friend's apt, dinner, thenm I walked to a nearby Trader Joe's for some supplies, then back to friend's place. All fine.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Mark S. Feinman on Thu Dec 5 09:28:17 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Tue Dec 3 12:12:52 2019.

"Real Holiday Train" .. LOL ... yes, I hope to ride hat day, too.

--Mark

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Thu Dec 5 10:23:03 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Mark S. Feinman on Thu Dec 5 09:28:17 2019.

Awesome! looking forward to seeing you again.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Thu Dec 5 10:37:04 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Dec 5 03:52:22 2019.

Slight correction. There is no Ashland on the Brown line(Ravenswood). The closest station is Lincoln and Paulina one block west.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Dec 5 12:06:48 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Thu Dec 5 10:37:04 2019.

I did not describe a station. However the restaurant building is directly next to the L structure on the west side of Ashland @ 3406

go here
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9437131,-87.6688573,3a,75y,255.46h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNeOlEErjiaowgW-nWQPwcg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DNeOlEErjiaowgW-nWQPwcg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D250.77669%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by ChicagoMotorman on Thu Dec 5 13:47:55 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Dec 5 12:06:48 2019.

You mean here?

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Alan Follett on Thu Dec 5 18:22:16 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 17:16:14 2019.

Over 80% of visitors to Chicago have their throats slit and their organs harvested before they clear baggage claim at O’Hare.

No, seriously, there has certainly been an uptick in violent incidents in the last few years, a few of which have affected visitors in what I’d think of as safe areas. The toxically-lenient State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has to go; I’ll give the new mayor a year or so before I pass judgment on her. But, there’s no reason to be any more paranoid than in most American cities.

Alan Follett
South San Francisco, CA
(With lots of Chicago connections)

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Alan Follett on Thu Dec 5 18:33:58 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by JRR4 on Wed Dec 4 17:16:14 2019.

Over 80% of visitors to Chicago have their throats slit and their organs harvested before they clear baggage claim at O’Hare.

No, seriously, there has certainly been an uptick in violent incidents in the last few years, a few of which have affected visitors in what I’d think of as safe areas. The toxically-lenient State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has to go; I’ll give the new mayor a year or so before I pass judgment on her. But, there’s no reason to be any more paranoid than in most American cities.

Alan Follett
South San Francisco, CA
(With lots of Chicago connections)

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Dec 5 18:40:37 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by ChicagoMotorman on Thu Dec 5 13:47:55 2019.

exactly.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Thu Dec 5 18:53:57 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Mark S. Feinman on Tue Dec 3 10:43:24 2019.

I'm a percussionist myself.

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Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?

Posted by Joe V on Thu Dec 5 20:11:57 2019, in response to Re: Railfanning in Chicago - any advice?, posted by Alan Follett on Thu Dec 5 18:33:58 2019.

Mayor Lightfoot has endorsed Foxx for re-election, so fuck her.

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