Back in the late 90's, 2 other co-workers and myself, would take Saturday trips to various RR sites and record on VHS. We were able to get tours of 2 yards in Chicago and one in WI with a turntable. There was a double diamond crossing in Northern IL of I39, with traffic east and west and north and south, with lots of traffic. My 2 companions were the train buffs, and I was the PR person to get us into the yards. There were many vantage points/locations, we visited and was educational for all of us.
One of the memorable visits, was being inside the Burlington RR Command Center, in Chicago. The door to the facility was unlocked, where we walked up a flight of stairs to a huge room,filled with large screens. We were politely escorted out. The other was a yard that contained an engine repair facility, that we were fortunate to have a tour. Outside, was a brand-new Santa Fe engine and took pictures of that.
911 came and that was the end of our train excursions. My VHS tapes have been converted into 2 hr DVD's and get them out every once in a while. Fond memories and retired in 2008. I made DVD copies for my other 2 friends. I also have a collection of photos.
