Night Time Transit by Chipka
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Description
The heart of any city may be defined in any number of ways, and indeed many people will define Chicago’s heart in many ways. For me, the heart of this particular city is The Loop. It is here that all of the public transport lines converge. Though the Red Line remains underground one block away from the Loop Proper, it still serves the Loop through one, vital free transfer link (at State and Lake Streets, for those who care to know such things.)
In the Loop Proper, the Chicago Transit Authority elevated train lines share various stations, and these stations and passenger transfer points are what represent the city’s heart. As I make my way from the far south to the northwest reach of the city, I’m reminded of this. At times—when there are sufficiently large crowds—I can sense the beating of Chicago’s heart, the people (who are the city’s blood) moving inexorably to whatever destinations claim their attention. They’re like blood cells (some oxygenated, some not) moving into the city-heart’s ventricles and atria, and receiving infusions of oxygen to carry to the city’s extremities.
At night, when the city sleeps, the heart pumps at a slower rate; and indeed, Chicago sleeps—despite claims to the contrary. It sleeps a lot, actually.
On a warm Sunday night, not to long ago, I sensed the city sleeping as I made my transit from the Albany Park area, southward. I’d decided to forego my normal transfer to the southbound Red Line, and just take a southbound Green Line train instead. The Green line bifurcates, however, and so it’s necessary to pay attention to which train you’re boarding. If you want to go east, as I needed to, then it is necessary to take the southbound Green Line to Cottage Grove and NOT Ashland Avenue. When the hour approaches midnight, it’s of extreme importance to know this distinction, as trains are less frequent. In the southern reaches of the city, creatures of the night emerge, and it’s quite vital to know which train you’re taking and thus, which nocturnal creatures you will encounter.
There were precious few trains running on the night that I took this picture and precious few people on the platform with me. For a few long moments, I had the place to myself, though a few pigeons landed on the platform, then flew away as there was nothing for them to consume. In the Chicago loop, pigeons take flight on 24 hour cycles as the intense light tricks the pigeon brain into overriding normal circadian rhythms. I was bored, though I had a fascinating book with me; I took this picture, because I liked the colors of the night and the strange paradox of thundering silence. As I look at this picture now, I’m reminded of the novel I’d read, and of nocturnal pigeons strutting and cooing as if sunlight streamed from the heavens.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're all having a great, productive, and fun week.
Comments (22)
MrsRatbag
Solitude in the heart of the city, an empty platform where usually there are crowds; it's enough to cause anyone to ruminate! I would like it too, I much prefer solitude to masses of people, and being able to see the shapes of things behind the moving shapes of other humans and all their baggage (tangible and not). Although being female I am increasingly reminded that the world is not a safe place for me, even though I've never considered myself a victim and have never yet been faced with danger, so I'd be a bit nervous about the emptiness and would probably get whiplash from trying to see all the sources of sound! Great shot and explanation, Chip!
helanker
Well, I wouldnt feel safe there alone either, but I still prefare places with few people than with many. Also because people happen to distract one from the other surroundings, such as this beautiful train station. Too many people spoils the picture in my opinion. But a few is fine. Excellent capture Chip.
Meisiekind
Gosh Chip - this is magnificent. I love that it is bare of humans... The coloring of the lights is marvelous. It reminds me of a night in New York City when I took the blue line southbound from Times Square. My hotel was way downtown, a block from Ground Zero. When I got off at the World Trade Station, it looked like this - not another soul in sight! And the funny thing is - I never felt unsafe! Wonderful image and great memory wake-up for me!I'm so far behind in comments but I saw quite a few images of yours that I will definitely visit in the near future!
durleybeachbum
A wonderfully colourful image! I think I would have been drawing rather than reading!
sandra46
what a fantabulous image! the metro is a perfect setting for every type of stories. One i especially liked was that of the phanthoms (was it Ghost?), but a cult movie was Night Warriors, when the have to go to Atlantic City through enemy land.
flavia49
gorgeous colors and stunning capture!
CoreyBlack
Great shot,Kiddo. I love the crispness and clarity of this as well as the always interesting and distorted night time urban lighting. Love the stark emptiness of this and total lack of people. Which on big city public transport can be either relaxing or spooky depending on the area and time of night.Reminds me of so many nights in the Nineties when I was coming home from either 2nd shift or a night out on Halsted Street. Great work.
lucindawind
amazing colours ! you make just ordinary every day things that we see and dont notice really really beautiful :)
auntietk
What a wonderful image! Great colors and light, and the composition is brilliant! Lovely blocks of color and diagonal lines ... excellent!!
MrsLubner
The postwork really brings this to new heights!
whaleman
Interesting shot!
beachzz
Wow, this is incredible, though those nocturnal creatures kinda scare me. Though I wouldn't be there alone--I hope!! The colors are wildly fun and make this a great shot!!
aksirp
love this mood when the last train is going and some one stay allone and has all space for himself! wonderful done and great in color and mood!
lick.a.witch
The colours in this are amazing! They really do make this place a less inhospitable place to me. Wonderful image. ^=^
Sepiasiren
I would have been a bit freaked out to see something that is usually teeming with life so empty--but then I am a tad bit paranoid to begin with--my Woody Allen-eque neurotic art human side I suppose--I lvoe the colors--if the scene were this vibrant in reality I may be put a little more at ease--but just a smidge--lol...
Alex_Antonov
Wonderful!
jmb007
bonne photo!
kgb224
Wonderful capture my friend.
minos_6
The light in this capture is almost surreal, and I really like that you've captured an important hub of the city when it's deserted. I'm reminded of those sci-fi movies where a lone figure wanders through London or New York looking for other signs of life, with a silence so heavy it's a roar. Excellent work again!
danapommet
Great night shot of a place that should be full of people. I drive my wife nuts, as I wait for all the people, to get out of my scenic shots. Dana
myrrhluz
Wonderful color, light, and lines! It has a surreal look, like an elaborate set design. I love the lines of the rails and those on the red building in the background.
praep
Very nice colors here. I like train-stations at night - without trains and people. g