Chicago River Architectural Tour

[CommRE]

I will be adding a number of photos from my visit to Chicago last Sunday. I apologize for not being able to label them as I don't know all of the buildings. I had a great visit and enjoyed the architecture.

[CommRE]

[mendelman]

Great set of photos. I always love taking people on the river tour when we have visitors. They always get a big kick out of it.

Though, I have never understand the appeal of 333 W. Wacker (photo #2).

[CommRE]

Thanks. I've got more - just need to find the time to load them. Maybe this weekend.

Although I pretty much took pictures of every building I saw, I do like 333 W Wacker. Here is another shot of it (I think).

[CommRE]

Some more from last weekend...

Apparently all of the trains were running on the elevated tracks due to some underground work??

[Neo]

Apparently all of the trains were running on the elevated tracks due to some underground work??

Chicago has several elevated heavy rail lines (locals call it the "L"), including the brown line that is in your picture. The only subway (underground) lines in Chicago are the red and blue lines and of those only the red line travels under the Chicago River.

[Allison Slater]

Moreover, the Blue Line at least also comes out of the ground and is elevated for much of its length as well. It's only a subway around the downtown area.

[CommRE]

Gotcha. Apparently on the day I was there, according to the guide, all of the trains including the subway were using the above ground tracks. I wish I had gotten a chance to ride it...

[Neo]

Gotcha. Apparently on the day I was there, according to the guide, all of the trains including the subway were using the above ground tracks. I wish I had gotten a chance to ride it...

I'm not quite sure why the guide said that. It isn't like the trains have a choice to run above or below ground. I've taken the architectural tour several times and it is amusing to hear how different guides have different stories about things. Some guides are better than others in their knowledge of the city which is unfortunate since all of the guides should pay homage to the great city and not give false facts.

[mendelman]

Work has been ongoing over the last couple months on the subways downtown. So, at some times, the Blue and Red lines run on the elevated tracks in the Loop. That's why the guide probably said that.

[Neo]

Work has been ongoing over the last couple months on the subways downtown. So, at some times, the Blue and Red lines run on the elevated tracks in the Loop. That's why the guide probably said that.

Ah ok, I was mistaken then. How are they switching the subway lines? I assume that the red line is following the brown/purple north of downtown but how are things being handled on the southern end since none of the lines follow a similar path on an elevated track. I'm confused as to how the Forest Park branch of the blue line would work under these circumstances as well.

Aside from that, what type of work is being done in the tunnels?

[Lone Ranger]

Took this tour myself a couple of months ago. Damn cold, but otherwise very impressive. Which, now that I think about it, sums up most of my Chicago experience.