Westbound Metra commuter train departing Chicago's Western Avenue station. December 2006.

Railfanning is an outdoor activity that spans year round depending on how rugged You are. I stood out in the cold to capture this scene last December, at the Western Avenue Metra commuter rail station. It is difficult for one to imagine Snow -Ice -Windchill factors -and seeing a sprinkling of Rock Salt on the station platform as You sit at Your computer on this August day. Just remember...This is Chicago during that "Other time of the year". Cold weather and all, one can find brilliant sunshine during the winter.