EJ&E Railroad dead of traffic?

[Anonymous]

When I lived in Waukegan, say the early 90's, I used to see lots of trains at the end of the EJ&E mainline near Waukegan Harbor. A little brown switcher would always be there doing local work, and there were sometimes main line trains heading out of the yard. But now, even though I moved from Waukegan, I never see any trains on the EJ&E anymore. Are they going bankrupt? Or are the trains coming at differnt times now? And if they are, what times do they come?

[Anonymous]

I don't think the North End is as busy as the Joliet Area

[eolafan]

I live in Aurora, IL and the EJ&E main line runs within about 1.5 miles of my home. At night I hear their trains blowing for the Liberty St. and Ogden Ave. (Rt. 34) crossings (among others) frequently. Seems to me they run most of their trains at night, but they definetly run quite a few during the day as well. They seem to have an arrangement with UP as well, as I see lots of UP coal trains traveling south loaded and north empty, likely from West Chicago interchange south to Joliet, Gary, or on their way into Indiana or up into Michigan.

[DTomajko]

I spent a few hours in Griffith, In. where the EJ & E crosses the CN/GTW last fall and saw 2 trains headed westbound. The traffic was similar the previous 4 times I was there. I have also heard that the east end is busier than the west end. The east end still has a number of active steel mills and other heavy industries, plus interchganges with NS and CSX. I have also heard of a run-through / interchange train with the CN that uses a connector in the southeast quadrant of the Griffith crossing on most nights. Stay safe and good luck.

[AltonFan]

I used to drive up in the Lake Zurich-Vernon Hills-Libertyville area, and never once did I ever see a EJ&E train. I am told that they operate mostly at night up there.

[Anonymous]

I've seen EJE trains going south through West Chicago around 8 or 9 in the morning. This was about 3 or 4 years ago. I think a local still rolls through Vernon Hills around 10am to Waukegan.

[CNW-400]

I've sat at the West Chicago crossing many times and have yet to ever see an EJE pass. My wife & I jokingly call them the "Bigfoot" Line, there are people who claim to have seen one, but have no proof or evidence.

This past Saturday I thought I was saw a north bound train heading into West Chicago, but when it came thru it turned outwas a UP pulling empty coalcars.

Mark

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:
I've sat at the West Chicago crossing many times and have yet to ever see an EJE pass. My wife & I jokingly call them the "Bigfoot" Line, there are people who claim to have seen one, but have no proof or evidence.

Does anyone have any pictures?

[Anonymous]

http://eje.railfan.net/

There's a bunch here, good 'ol Railfan.