Coachyard switching during the "Mid Day Layover". Chicago Illinois USA. June 2006.

I photographed this seen at West Roosevelt Rd and South Canal Street, in the city of Chicago, around 1 pm on a weekday afternoon. I had just finished servicing an account in the area, and couldn't resisit the opportunity to photograph this seen just outside of downtown Chicago. This is one of many commuter coach yards around town, utilized by the Metra commuter agency. This facility was origianally owned and operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and after 1970, the Burlington Northern Railroad. Today ot is still staffed -maintained and operated by crews from the BNSF Railway. The Burlington Northern ,Santa Fe Railway is still using this 1950's Vintage EMD Switcher for switching the commuter coachyard facilities here. At this time of the day, the commuter coaches are cleaned -inspected -and repaired as needed. In a couple of hours, they will be busy hauling rush hour commuters out of the city of Chicago Illinois. The "Locals" will make all the stops, while the "Express" runs will speed along with few or no stops to Aurora Illinois.