tree68 It's been years since I've been in that area, but the deep cut though Paxton and the old depot in Rantoul on CN (IC) might make interesting locales, given suitable traffic and lighting.
It's been years since I've been in that area, but the deep cut though Paxton and the old depot in Rantoul on CN (IC) might make interesting locales, given suitable traffic and lighting.
Paxton and Rantoul - That's where my two sets of grandparents lived. Every summer I'd go to the cut in Paxton to see ICG trains with one set for a week, then talk the other set into taking me to the station in Rantoul the next week. Your post brought back some pleasant childhood memories.
There's still two tracks in the cut in Paxton. The passing siding there ends just south of town. Also, the Illinois Central historical society has its HQ in the old N&W/Nickel Plate depot in downtown Paxton.
It's worth a drive down old Route 45.
mudchicken (and finding Eastern Illinois RR out and running would be very unusual)
(and finding Eastern Illinois RR out and running would be very unusual)
Watco/DREI bought out the EIRC in late 2019. https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/26-watcos-decatur-eastern-illinois-to-acquire-neighboring-eastern-illinois-railroad/
(and Monticello?)
Not sure how 127 miles qualifies as a Cls 2 or Regional? (DREI)
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Pre-PSR, the NS' Lafayette District was busier that the UP's ex-C&EI line by a decent margin. I'm not so sure these days. There aren't that many great shots on the CN in Tolono, IMHO. There are nice shots to be had on the NS in Tolono, plus you might be able to catch the last two Roadrailer trains operating, 255 and 256. They usually meet one another somewhere east of Decatur in the mid/late morning.
There are better shots to be had of the CN in Tuscola and along Route 45. The UP line should be fairly busy, plus there's the Decatur & Eastern Illinois (DREI). DREI doesn't run that many road freights, but there is a yard job based at Ficklin a couple miles west of Tuscola. There is a DREI flickr group. You should check out what is posted there for more info: https://www.flickr.com/groups/drei
DREI has quite a few sweet SD45-bodied "SD40-2" rebuilds. It appears that they run an eastbound road freight out of Decatur sometime around 7 to 8:00 AM. I have heard that the train stops to work the yard at Ficklin.
Not sure about today, but several years ago the train counts were similar between NS and UP.
The wildcard would be former CSX line to Decatur with the regional line. If I had a chance to see either CN, NS, UP or the new regional...it would be the regional.
Ed
I am planning to go around the Champaign Area to railfan this spring break but I can't decide whether to go to Tolono, IL, or Tuscola, IL. Both look to be excellent spots to railfan, but I'm not sure which has the higher train count. Should I go to Tolono, IL or Tuscola, IL, and what is the train count in each of those places?
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