Rode the 5000 series train on the Red Line!!!

Photo of a 5000 series car by Ben Meyerson.

I just want to mention this video by YouTube user msibnsf featuring the first day of passenger service of the 5000-series cars.

This was on Monday afternoon. I took a run in the late morning and then took a run from Howard Street all the way back to 95th Street. I have some thoughts to note!

First I noticed how the train will literally kneel to the platform at certain stops. On any other train you would literally have to step down off the train. Of course this isn't perfect as at certain stops you still have to step down onto the train. Of course this isn't treated like it's a whole stair on or off the train.

Second, the ride is certainly a lot quieter. You would have listen hard to hear the rumbles of the train wheels. This might mean for a smoother right however at times you would still feel the jerkiness of the ride especially if you were riding on the Dan Ryan line

The other innovations I like are the fact that you can see a map that will light up the point for the next stop. Also the LED screens that not only show you the stops but also the time and other information such as letting passengers know of delays and information with regards to the rules and regulations of the CTA.

I was trying to get pictures but wasn't bold enough to take any. Especially on either ends of the CTA Red Line. I hope this review is enough.

I would suggest however that you view this video taken on the first day the 5000 series cars began passenger service.

Since we're on the subject of sports from yesterday...

Click the old school Black Hawks logo to the official NHL Playoffs page

I saw the final period of game 5 and failed to see a minute of game 6 of the Black Hawks first round playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Monday night, they won game 6 to clinch the series and move on to round two in a rematch against the Vancouver Canucks. The Hawks face the Canucks last year in the second round of the playoffs and moved on to face Detroit in the Western Conference finals where the Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs.

In game 5 on Saturday I almost feared that the Hawks would lose the game. They tied the game in the closing seconds of the 3rd period and scored a goal in sudden death overtime. You can watch highlights from that game here!

Since I never saw Game 6, I'm going to be watching the highlights of that game with you. You can also see that here!

No word yet on when the Hawks/Canucks series will commence. It looks like we have one more game before we wrap up the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Even if it is in the Eastern Conference between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitols. The game will commence tonight at 6 PM Chicago time and that series is tied 3-3!

Just found on Chicago Breaking Sports News that the schedule for the Canucks/Hawks series will be announced as soon as the Montreal/Washington series is concluded tonight!

Been mulling something

I want to do something in the sidebar in honor of the baseball season. It has gotten nary a mention on this blog and the season is just over two or so weeks old.

It should be known around these parts that I consider myself a Cubs fan. Rarely will I discuss sports here because I just don't follow very well the on-field aspects of any sport. Basically if I do discuss anything it's the business aspects of sports. That is more interesting that the play itself.

That being said I want to really follow the Cubs this year. I just don't want to bore you with my opinions on why the Cubs win or lose or whatever. If nothing else, the only thing you will see here about the Cubs is whether or not they win or lose.

During the course of the season I want to place an image in the sidebar to let you know about how the Cubs are doing. Hopefully I can place it up top and that will mean some more changes in the sidebar. I've got one image to the left in mind to celebrate a Cubs victory, but I have something in mind to mark a Cubs loss. Sadly I know right now that I'm going to have some difficulty finding it.

Either way I hope that if you're a Cubs fan you might be willing to follow along in the sidebar and this will force me to keep track of the Cubs progress during the season. Even if I'm unable to actually watch a game either in person or on TV.

BTW, the Cubs won Monday at Wrigley defeating the Washington Nationals 4-3 in 10 innings!

In the market for a new camcorder

I got my eye on the Flip camera and decided to check out some of the models at a local Best Buy. The cheapest models is between $150 to $200 and at my rate of wages it seems like the most difficult amount for me to get off of if it was something I wanted.

The main reason that I want one is for something that I can use to shoot video on the go. It would be easier to use than a MiniDV camera which is what I currently own now. At least my time won't be wasted by having to load the camera with a tape before I can press record. At least this camera could fit in a pocket at least if I want to conceal it.

Another reason is that this type of camera is less intimidating that a regular video camera. I Googled and article to find that reason. Really this is key if you were a TV journalist and you're carrying around large expensive TV cameras. However I think this is key even for people who like to record video on the go and find that someone may have a problem with them shooting a video.

For right now at least I'm a long way from making a decision. When that purchase is made, expect the news to be posted here and

Photos of the day!!!

These are for the Marathon Pundit, John Ruberry. He's still tracking all the Obama stimulus signs in the Chicago area. Last summer I took pictures of signs along the Dearborn subway stations. This year Obama stimulus in Federal Plaza near Dearborn & Adams.

Looking at that sign, the plaza won't look much different that what it currently looks like. Ironically this was thought to be the site of last week's tea party rally which was held instead at Daley Plaza just up the street at Dearborn & Washington.

Black Hawks are even in their first round playoff series

To be honest I haven't been watching the last two games as I should have. I saw the closing minutes of both game one and two. Was disappointed in the outcome of game one as the Hawks was shutout by the Nashville Predators and elated to see a victory by the Hawks in game two.

I only thought about writing this post because of this article from Chicago Public Radio. For an interesting change (of course that's not to say they don't follow sports anyway) a sports article caught my eye from them.

If my work schedule permits I expect to be able to watch more games in the future in hopes that the Hawks will make their first Stanley Cup finals since 1992. They last won the cup back in 1961!

You can check out the NHL playoffs on the NHL's official website!

The new A-Team movie trailer

Or click here for the trailer

The movie is going to resemble the original TV series. People may still have a hang-up over the recasting of BA Baracus, but I got to say I don't mind him at all. Although I really think he'd do Mr. T a disservice by attempting to imitate him. Everyone else is exactly as I would expect them. Otherwise I can tell from the action of the trailer.

The last line of dialogue in the trailer, man if Dwight Schultz had said that it would've been very believable! It's said by a different actor, but that's the Murdoch I remember!!! BA when he sees his van crushed well I think I could live without his reaction. Or could I?

The van will similar to the TV series and man I like the worm shots the series was known for. That van is going to go airborne and the camera will be right on the ground when it finally lands.

The sad thing is, this might be the second movie I have seen in the past year. The last one Star Trek was also a remake of a TV series. While people may not be able to get over recasting BA Baracus I had to get over other actors playing my favorite Star Trek characters.

These pics take me way back

In the mid 1980s my mom would take me into downtown Chicago and usually we would take the L. Often the trips I remember was by the L. Until 1993 the Dan Ryan line would be elevated and routed to the Loop L and west along Lake Street to Harlem/Lake. Today the Dan Ryan line is routed through the State St. subway to the north side!

These pics posted by davidwilson1949 on flickr takes us back to 1986 and I had no idea that they started to build that eventual connection to the subway near Cermak/Chinatown that early!

This shot is looking south and you see how different this area looked approximately 24 years ago!

In this shot a southbound train from the loop is about to pull into Cermak/Chinatown. You see the work on the ramps that will in the future take Dan Ryan trains into the State Street subway.

Here's a better shot of the construction this time from the northeast. We're looking at the northbound side of Cermak Chinatown.

A northbound train heading towards the Loop L tracks. You see more of the construction of the route towards the State Street subway.

The train is up towards the connector on 18th Street that will take the train towards what was called the south side mainline tracks. The former Lake-Dan Ryan route would run along the Howard-Englewood-Jackson Park route. By 1993, trains from Englewood & Jackson Park would be routed to Lake Street to become the Green Line.

Those are the 18th Street tracks that takes the train east to the south side mainline. These days those tracks are part of the Orange Line that takes you to Midway Airport. Of course you see no indication of that line yet in these pics. Another unusual sight was this freight train along Metra's Rock Island route.

 Look back to the south a Dan Ryan train headed back towards 95th Street.

Looking to the west on Archer and Wentworth was according to David Wilson a yard for passenger trains for the AT&SF (these days part of the BNSF) Railway, these days however this place is now home to a commercial and residential development.

Man this takes me WAY back!

If you want some more information check out Chicago-L.org!