Transportation exhibit at Museum of Science and Industry

[jajuan]

I had the fortune of making a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry yesterday and saw that they expanded their model train exhibit. You all should take the opportunity when you have a chance and check it out. One side of the exhibit is downtown Chicago and the areas just outside of downtown on the near West Side. The other side goes through mountains and leads to the passenger commuter rail in Seattle. It's really cool. There are a couple of Amtrak trains in the exhibit. There's a Metra train in the display. There are three CTA L trains included. One can be considered an Orange or Pink line train because it goes clockwise around the Loop. Another could be looked at as a Pink or Green line train because it moves back and forward on the part of the track that would be over Lake Street. There's a mockup of the Clinton L station near Ogilvie station. This train goes from this mockup station to the point that crosses the Orange/Brown/Pink/Purple line tracks and reverses back to the Clinton model. The third L train is a mockup Blue line subway train. You can see it through a little window underneath the main display serving a model of the Grand subway station. There are realistic mockup sounds of all the trains. If you listen closely to the Blue line model, not only do you hear the train approaching but also the L announcement give the bell ding and "Doors closing" announcement. All the buses in the Chicago part of the exhibit are Road Champs replicas of CTA's 5300s. The freight trains are pulled by Burlington Northern and CSX locomotives. Pace isn't modeled in the display but CTA and Metra are definitely represented. It's a real treat for transit fans. One other thing, you will notice that there are some streets missing in the Chicago area of the display. The space constraints forced the museum to squeeze in only as much of the most recognizable downtown attractions as they could. So don't look for too much accuracy outside of spotting such streets as State St, Michigan Ave, or Wacker Drive in the exhibit. Still a fun exhibit either way.

[Danielsmusic]

I had the fortune of making a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry yesterday and saw that they expanded their model train exhibit. You all should take the opportunity when you have a chance and check it out. One side of the exhibit is downtown Chicago and the areas just outside of downtown on the near West Side. The other side goes through mountains and leads to the passenger commuter rail in Seattle. It's really cool. There are a couple of Amtrak trains in the exhibit. There's a Metra train in the display. There are three CTA L trains included. One can be considered an Orange or Pink line train because it goes clockwise around the Loop. Another could be looked at as a Pink or Green line train because it moves back and forward on the part of the track that would be over Lake Street. There's a mockup of the Clinton L station near Ogilvie station. This train goes from this mockup station to the point that crosses the Orange/Brown/Pink/Purple line tracks and reverses back to the Clinton model. The third L train is a mockup Blue line subway train. You can see it through a little window underneath the main display serving a model of the Grand subway station. There are realistic mockup sounds of all the trains. If you listen closely to the Blue line model, not only do you hear the train approaching but also the L announcement give the bell ding and "Doors closing" announcement. All the buses in the Chicago part of the exhibit are Road Champs replicas of CTA's 5300s. The freight trains are pulled by Burlington Northern and CSX locomotives. Pace isn't modeled in the display but CTA and Metra are definitely represented. It's a real treat for transit fans. One other thing, you will notice that there are some streets missing in the Chicago area of the display. The space constraints forced the museum to squeeze in only as much of the most recognizable downtown attractions as they could. So don't look for too much accuracy outside of spotting such streets as State St, Michigan Ave, or Wacker Drive in the exhibit. Still a fun exhibit either way.

They didn't expand the exhibit. They rebuilt it a few years ago (for 6 million as I was told by the head operator) and, because of when it was built, the Lake train is the Green line.

[jajuan]

They didn't expand the exhibit. They rebuilt it a few years ago (for 6 million as I was told by the head operator) and, because of when it was built, the Lake train is the Green line.

From my point of view, it's an expansion since I haven't been there in that said few years, about three or fou to be exact. Whether it was expanded or rebuilt, I really don't care because the end result is the same. The point is it's still a fun exhibit to see if you're a transit fan. Given the level of anxiety and hard feelings between members of the forum with the transit funding fight and accusations of racism among other issues, some could use the fun of seeing the exhibit to lift their spirits. So everyone accept it for what it is, my way of lifting everyone's spirits.

[Danielsmusic]

From my point of view, it's an expansion since I haven't been there in that said few years, about three or fou to be exact. Whether it was expanded or rebuilt, I really don't care because the end result is the same. The point is it's still a fun exhibit to see if you're a transit fan. Given the level of anxiety and hard feelings between members of the forum with the transit funding fight and accusations of racism among other issues, some could use the fun of seeing the exhibit to lift their spirits. So everyone accept it for what it is, my way of lifting everyone's spirits.

Ok, I'm just thinking that, because the exhibit isn't new, it's not really news to anybody.

[Busjack]

I remember Channel 11 mentioning the Seattle to Chicago model a couple of years ago. Compared to most of what is at the Museum (such as the tic tac toe game) it is relatively new.

On the other hand, the horse cars go way back.

[jajuan]

Ok, I'm just thinking that, because the exhibit isn't new, it's not really news to anybody.

Fine. I'm really not in the mood to argue the issue. Those who want to check out the exhibit do so. Those who don't, do something else. It's really ridiculous that some of you get so wound up in being right that you can't go along with a suggestion of something fun that will lighten your mood whether it's old news or not. Jeez.

[Buslover88]

Alright, everyone chil out.

[Danielsmusic]

Fine. I'm really not in the mood to argue the issue. Those who want to check out the exhibit do so. Those who don't, do something else. It's really ridiculous that some of you get so wound up in being right that you can't go along with a suggestion of something fun that will lighten your mood whether it's old news or not. Jeez.

I was just explaining why I came to the conclusion I did. I wasn't saying your suggestion was bad, I was merely explaining why I came to an incorrect conclusion.

[jajuan]

I was just explaining why I came to the conclusion I did. I wasn't saying your suggestion was bad, I was merely explaining why I came to an incorrect conclusion.

Ok.