Topic: Chicago - Loitering in Alleys and Train Stations - June, 2009

[Robert Pence]

Chicago, Illinois
June 16 & 17, 2009

All Photos Copyright © 2009 by Robert E Pence

4th-5th-6th Floor Atrium DCAM Building (Center for Advanced Medicine), University of Chicago Medical Center:




Green Line Station, E63rd/Cottage Grove:












Randolph/Wabash






Coming & Going:








































Skulking around alleys:








































Entering the Metra Electric station through the lower-level South Water Street entrance:








Millennium (Randolph Street) Station:














Train 211, on the right, comprised of some of the 14 recently-acquired new bi-level cars, departs at 4:10pm and stops for boarding only at Van Buren, 11th Street, 57th Street, and 63rd Street (flag stop). Train 211 discharges or boards passengers at Hegewisch, Hammond, East Chicago, and Gary/Chicago Airport and terminates at Gary Metro Center at a scheduled time of 5:11pm.


Hurry! Hurry!


Always somebody runnin' at the very last minute.
Run! Gonna' miss your train! Bet you were still in Starbucks when they announced last call for boarding!

[DJ Orion]

Awesome photos, Rob.  Were those alleyway photos mid-thread shot in the lower level streets?  I would love to explore that whole area.  And did any of the railroad personnel give you problems about taking the photos?  Again, awesome photos.  I love seeing photos of Chicago.

[NorthAndre]

That art decoish building to the slight left in this photo has always struck my curiosity.  If this is the correct building I'm thinking of, this one is supposed to be renovated soon.  The problem is, some preservationists consider a building that is "on hold" an endangered building since the time spent sorting through finances is also time spent in deferred in maintenance.  I just remember a bunch of concern for what I believe is this building.  I think they were always worried the lobby would be modified.  Regardless, its empty at the moment and dark when I walk by it at night. 

And did any of the railroad personnel give you problems about taking the photos?

Don't know about the South shore, but the CTA has these photography guidelines.  It is permitted as long as you don't disrupt service or venture into off limits areas.  http://www.transitchicago.com/business/photopolicy.aspx

It would probably be the least of their concerns unless you are being reckless.  I was kind of ticked when someone set off a box of firecrackers in one of the subway stations, security didn't do anything except scold them.

[ColDayMan]

Thanks Rob!

[edale]

I like all the attention Chicago is giving to their riverfront these days.

[Robert Pence]

Awesome photos, Rob.  Were those alleyway photos mid-thread shot in the lower level streets?  I would love to explore that whole area.  And did any of the railroad personnel give you problems about taking the photos?  Again, awesome photos.  I love seeing photos of Chicago.

I was wandering around and not paying much attention to where I went, but I think the alleyway photos were north of Lake Street, between Dearborn and State. I know that I ended up on lower-level South Water Street at the entrance to the Metra Electric platforms at Randolph/Millennium Station.

I've never had any problems with security at Metra facilities; their photography policy is pretty much the same as CTA's. I have checked in with the security or information desk at stations where one exists, just so they'll know who I am and what I'm doing in case a customer reports suspicious activity. South Shore uses Metra Electric stations, and they seldom have anyone on duty except for ticket agents at Millennium. I've taken lots of photos on the platforms there, in plain view of South Shore crews, and never been challenged.

When Millennium first opened after reconstruction, some guy came up to me and told me photography was prohibited there. He was in plain clothes, and never showed any ID, so I just waited until he was out of sight and continued. Uniformed cops in plain sight didn't challenge me.

Only once have I been challenged on CTA, when I was taking photos from the overhead bridge between platforms at Belmont, shortly after 9/11. I saw a uniformed employee headed down the platform in my direction, and he yelled, "No Photos on CTA!" I scrambled down the other steps and onto a waiting train just before the doors closed, and was outta there.

[Living in Gin]

Great photos. The last time I was in Randolph Street Station, the renovations were mostly complete, but the shops and restaurants hadn't yet reopened. Looks like a pretty sharp space, and the retail storefronts add a lot of flavor.

[jpop]

I love Chicago. I love pictures of Chicago. I miss Chicago.

[MayDay]

Busted! Love it - and love the set!

[NorthAndre]

^ I bet they are all ssp forumers lol.  See BCBS thread over there.