Metra Commuter Westbound at Geneva, Illinois on 12-22-09

A Chicago area Metra commuter train pulls out of the Geneva, Illinois passenger station on a winter's night. The engine is a 3,200 hp, EMD F40PH-2, built in 1983.

Mrs. basicbill was having some gal pals over for some Christmas cheer. So I was OUT OF THERE! An excuse to catch some night action on the Union Pacific Geneva's sub. I hoped to use the day's new fallen snow to brighten the scenes. First to Geneva to catch a few Metra commuter trains. I tried to set up to include some Christmas lights. But that proved a bit tough. So I settled instead for a few clips from the nearly deserted parking lot just northwest of the station.

Single camera action only. There certainly is a lot of video noise and digital artifacts on these night videos.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• rail
• railroad
• train
• railfan
• winter
• night
• cold
• snow
• EMD
• passenger
• Geneva
• Illinois
• Canon
• HV30
• HD
• Metra

[GleasonB]

Do you know about locking the exposure on the Hv30? It can work out very nicely with cutting down the gain for shooting night videos.

I enjoy the videos BTW!

[basicbill1]

Almost all of my more recent videos are exposure locked. This Metra video was exposure locked. The next at Elburn was not since the train was upon me before I had the chance. Did not seem to make much difference. Thanks for the tip.

Bill

[heelblocks]

Nice Job Bill! I think you should head to the BNSF Racetrack sometime. Theres alot of action there from Metra (90 A Day) and BNSF.

[basicbill1]

Thanks. I was just looking at a Google map yesterday. Thinking about getting over there. So it may happen, although I prefer the more rural locations. I wonder what area is considered the "racetrack?"

Bill

[heelblocks]

The racetrack actually starts east of Metra's "Hill Yard" in Aurora and in Continues with 3 Tracks all the way to Chicago Union Station. Its a very interesting place with tons of Metra trains and freights going right down the middle. You need to check out " The Morning Rush", Its one of the neatest things to see. Most of the BNSF Trains get off at Cicero Yard near Berwyn. Amtrak runs the California Zephyer, Southwest Chief,Carl Sandburg, and Illinois Zephyer through here also.

[basicbill1]

Is Eola part of that? I've parked there to watch, but never did any video. The BNSF Mendota and Aurora sub trains pass through there, I believe.

[heelblocks]

Yep Eola is part of the Racetrack. Thats right where it begins.

[heelblocks]

The towns along the line are really neat Backdrops for the passenger trains rolling through at 70 MPH. If you want to see some heavy freight action, Try going there at night. It can get pretty busy. If you need any more info just ask!

Andrew