I spent 6 hours at Dolton & had no difficulty whatsoever[:)]
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Originally posted by neil300
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At Blue Island’s Broadway Junction, the thin tower nearest to (just south of) Broadway controls the crossing gates only. The interlocking towers are north of the Cal Sag bridges or further south by the ex-Rock Island overpass. For parking at Broadway Junction, I park on the south side of Broadway between the two separate sets of gates. (No, not on the tracks)[:)]. Note there is a stretch of street between the main east set of gates and the west set of gates with 2 tracks only. I’ve found that’s a safe, visible place to park on public property close to the action.
On a side note, check out the restaurants on Old Western Avenue a couple blocks east of Broadway Junction. Also check out Jebens Hardware there: a REAL hardware store ![:D]
Bruce G Koprucki
Thanks Papa Zit for the advice. My main concern is the fact that I have a very desirable car. "95 Impala SS. I one black guy tell me that I had a “gang bangers” car and that the only people who he has seen drive them were drug dealers of gang banger. (I know that isn’t true)
I used to talk to trainmen who would run between Chicago and Toledo ohio. Anyway they told of going to and from the shanty in groups of at least 3 men for safety reasons.And back when Conrail still had cabooses they often carried a pistol.
After living in the cityof Albany, NY for the past four months I have learned a few lessons that may be usefull:
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If a parking spot looks too good to be true, it usualy is.
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When you park your car, place anyhting that could be desirable such as radio face plates, E-ZPass transponders, spare memory cards in the glove box and lock it.
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Never go into a deserted area at night
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Keep your wallet in your front pocket, this makes it a bit harder for pick-pockets to get away unoticed.
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Before attempting to parlel park, take your blood-preasure meds.
I have a friend who is an engineer for CSX. He told me that on multiple occasions – at night mostly – locals in the neighborhood around Dolton Junction will lay down across the tracks, to get him to stop his train.
“If I do that,” he said. "The whole neighborhood starts jumping aboard and breaking into containers to do their Christmas shopping. So I just lay on the horn and keep going. So far, I haven’t run anyone over. They always seem to get up in time and run away.
“I also am afraid if I do stop my train someone will jump on the locomotive and shoot me so the train can’t be moved and they’ll have more time. I’ve had many rocks thrown at me, and once a bullet shattered a window in Gary [Indiana].”
I try to act “like I belong” - wear jeans and work boots, not a foamer t-shirt with “I love GP60s” on it. Makes me seem like less of an easy mark, I hope.
I was alongside the ex-BN “racetrack” once with a hardhat and a scanner in hand (no, I was not on BN property). Much to my surprise, the crew of a local asked on the radio if I was “Ronnie J” and how I was doing.
Of course, your safety is your own responsibility.
As with all aspects of life Dont be stupid and keep your whits about you and you should be fine