Switch track photos.West Chicago Ill.

Cool pics Dave. I've been to West Chicago a few times, but I always sit by the tower and watch the UP and CN trains cross the diamonds. Some of those industrial tracks get pretty ratty, but at low speed gravity still works and the trains stay on as they bounce along. I like the purple Derail sign and the stop sign reminder to not ride the cars on the side next to the building. Great piece of graffiti!

Some good modeling ideas in those.  There's a guy on the n scale forums I saw that recreated some pretty ratty track and has video of a train running through it.  Has a overall very realistic effect.  Thanks for sharing these.

Dave Ripp. posted:

Took some photos on my lunch today I was working near an industrial park. Some of these tracks look abandoned all but the unconnected turn out are still in use. There were a couple piles of new ties hopefully they'll use a few.

Dave, if you don't mind I'd like to save your pics of the tank rack to my hard drive. Presently my scenery is, shall we say, largely "schematic" but one of these days I want to build a tank rack and your pics show the necessary details.

Lew

Thanks Elliot, Brian and Lew. Elliot, I grew up by similar tracks and was always amassed watching the train sink and rise as it went down the tracks. Brian, thanks for your nice comments I tried to get a few good angles to give folks some ideas. Lew, I'm flattered you like the tank farm if you'd like I'll email you or anyone else full size photos as I saved these medium in stead of actual size.

Dave Ripp. posted:

Thanks Elliot, Brian and Lew. Elliot, I grew up by similar tracks and was always amassed watching the train sink and rise as it went down the tracks. Brian, thanks for your nice comments I tried to get a few good angles to give folks some ideas. Lew, I'm flattered you like the tank farm if you'd like I'll email you or anyone else full size photos as I saved these medium in stead of actual size.

Dave,

Yes, please eMail me the full size images. My eMail is supposed to be public in my profile. If not, let me know here.

Lew

Dave Ripp. posted:

Waaaaay back there, is that the Dupage Airport? I think this is the ex-CGW main line that use to run across airport property, into St. Charles, and further west. UP must’ve dressed this up, as CNW just yanked up the old CGW main and had some ties across the tracks where the “end of track” sign is now.