Coal City, IL

[eolafan]

I had some time after a business meeting in Pontiac, IL today to do just a bit of railfanning on my way back home to Aurora, IL. I exited Hwy. 55 and drove a few miles into Coal City, IL and came across what seemed like two sets of double tracks. One (the first one going west) was rusty and did not seem used much...I checked a bit up the line and found that one track had been cut and the line was actually single track but had been double at one time.

The other double track main was obviously the old Santa Fe line of BNSF and the rails were nice and shiney. I went over to the old SF Coal City depot expecting to see lots of trains (or at least a few) on the main. I stayed about forty minutes and saw BUPKUS, NADA, ZILCH! What gives, this is supposed to be one of our areas busiest main lines, but NOTHING.

Comments?

[Anonymous]

You Could have gotten cought in a Maint-Window!

[eolafan]

BNSF railfan, thanks, I hadn't thought of that. I will definetly go back to Coal City as it looks like a great place to watch trains. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

a couple months ago i had to work up near joliet on the same rail line. seemed like there was a train, a very FAST train, every 10 minutes! musta been one of those days for you eolafan

[MP173]

Been to Coal City, in fact was there last month. I have a customer there. The first set of tracks is the old Gulf Mobile and Ohio, which is now the UP line to St. Louis. It is kinda weird around there, I am not sure how much that is used, cant quite get a handle on things.

Next time down there, exit just south of the Illinois River and go back to BNSF's Logistic Park. Now that is quite an investment.

I think BNSF is on to something. Got into the old arsenal and created a auto/intermodal type yard.

Further back in the arsenal is a military graveyard. It is well worth the visit to think of the sacrifices made by others for our freedoms.

ed