CNW Odyssey, Illinois in the 1990s

Dennis Jenko left the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in 1988, after 20 years as a locomotive engineer. His post-railroad plan was to find a place in commercial photography, and one of the possibilities was producing train videos. In 1990 Dennis purchased a professional S-VHS camcorder and began to capture all his favorite railroads before they were gone. Shooting CNW was always special because he would see old friends too. This program is dedicated to all my fellow employees of the Chicago, Illinois, and Wisconsin divisions working in, or working out of Proviso yard, the Northwestern’s largest. CNW pride and professionalism kept things moving even in the worst of conditions. Shot from 1990 to 1995 (including the 1993 flood detours) all motive power of the era is represented from SD-40-2’s with their distinctive nose bells up to the new C40-8’s. Fast paced mainline action from locations such as Proviso, Bryn Mawr, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Rochelle, Dekalb, Elburn, La fox, Geneva, West Chicago, Wheaton, Lombard, and Elmhurst. Enjoy this tribute to the CNW from one of its own. Highball Northwestern!