Going to Bensenville and I need some advice

[Anonymous]

I would like to go to Bensenville, IL to take pictures of Candian Pacific and old Soo Line items. Does any body have any advice for taking pictures there or should I try somewhere else in the Chicago area to get good pictures of the old Soo Line and CP? Thanks for the assistance!

[Anonymous]

I would like to go to Bensenville, IL to take pictures of Candian Pacific and old Soo Line items. Does any body have any advice for taking pictures there or should I try somewhere else in the Chicago area to get good pictures of the old Soo Line and CP? Thanks for the assistance!

[CShaveRR]

Nobody else has replied to you yet, so I'll let people help you out by shooting me down, if necessary.

Bensenville isn't going to be easy for taking pictures. You can see the action as you drive along roads south and west of the tracks, but there isn't much opportunity to park and get out...no sidewalks, etc. I'm sure that if you were on foot between these roads and the tracks, you'd attract the attention of security-conscious law enforcement people (it took about two minutes for a cop to find me pulled off to the side of the road once, and that was in Milwaukee Road days!). Places like Bryn Mawr (where CP meets UP north of Bensenville) used to be good, but people who drove in there were trespassing. Your best bet nowadays would be to spend a little time at the McDonald's on York Road in Bensenville. You can park, eat, and maybe catch some CP action as it comes around the curve.

I don't know much about what runs west out of Bensenville, but that's no longer CP.

A better bet for you might be to go to Franklin Park, east of the yard. There are several public grade crossings there, and if you don't get CP and Soo, you might find WC and IHB.

[CShaveRR]

Nobody else has replied to you yet, so I'll let people help you out by shooting me down, if necessary.

Bensenville isn't going to be easy for taking pictures. You can see the action as you drive along roads south and west of the tracks, but there isn't much opportunity to park and get out...no sidewalks, etc. I'm sure that if you were on foot between these roads and the tracks, you'd attract the attention of security-conscious law enforcement people (it took about two minutes for a cop to find me pulled off to the side of the road once, and that was in Milwaukee Road days!). Places like Bryn Mawr (where CP meets UP north of Bensenville) used to be good, but people who drove in there were trespassing. Your best bet nowadays would be to spend a little time at the McDonald's on York Road in Bensenville. You can park, eat, and maybe catch some CP action as it comes around the curve.

I don't know much about what runs west out of Bensenville, but that's no longer CP.

A better bet for you might be to go to Franklin Park, east of the yard. There are several public grade crossings there, and if you don't get CP and Soo, you might find WC and IHB.

[Anonymous]

I will agree with cshaverr, It is very difficult to find a safe place to park near the yard. But you might get lucky and find one that is within walking distance. He is correct, East of the yard at the public crossings there is more action. I would try there first.

[Anonymous]

I will agree with cshaverr, It is very difficult to find a safe place to park near the yard. But you might get lucky and find one that is within walking distance. He is correct, East of the yard at the public crossings there is more action. I would try there first.

[Soo2610]

There is a public walkway on the east side of York road just south of the control tower.we parked by the station and walked over. You can see anything coming in from the north or west or heading out in those directions. Can't see much of the yard though.
BE very careful to stay off the tracks or you will have company very quickly.

[Soo2610]

There is a public walkway on the east side of York road just south of the control tower.we parked by the station and walked over. You can see anything coming in from the north or west or heading out in those directions. Can't see much of the yard though.
BE very careful to stay off the tracks or you will have company very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I will certainly be careful when I go there, and if there's not a lot of action, I may head up to Lake Villa. I work for SBC and there is a SBC construction garage right next to the tracks up there. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I will certainly be careful when I go there, and if there's not a lot of action, I may head up to Lake Villa. I work for SBC and there is a SBC construction garage right next to the tracks up there. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

East of the Bensenville yard is maby you will see most of the CP Rail Trains & Metra trains but there is action on the west side of the Bensenville but not many freights. I know because I ride this line between Chicago & Elgin on a monthly to weekly basis. West of the Bensenville yard you will see Metra trains and ICE(Iowa Chicago & Eastern) Trains.(I & M Rail Link Switched to ICE Railroad)The best place I think to see these trains at is the Bensenville Metra Station or the closest place to see these trains is to go to the Mannheim metra station which it is on Front St. and Lincoln St. off Addision Ave.

[Anonymous]

East of the Bensenville yard is maby you will see most of the CP Rail Trains & Metra trains but there is action on the west side of the Bensenville but not many freights. I know because I ride this line between Chicago & Elgin on a monthly to weekly basis. West of the Bensenville yard you will see Metra trains and ICE(Iowa Chicago & Eastern) Trains.(I & M Rail Link Switched to ICE Railroad)The best place I think to see these trains at is the Bensenville Metra Station or the closest place to see these trains is to go to the Mannheim metra station which it is on Front St. and Lincoln St. off Addision Ave.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the best spot is the eastside at the METRA crossing there is a nice little bar if you get thrusty. Also at gate three across the street you maybe able to get some shots of the crest of the hump. Plus the southside of the hump yard is the arrival tracks so you may be able to get some Loco's pulling into the yard.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the best spot is the eastside at the METRA crossing there is a nice little bar if you get thrusty. Also at gate three across the street you maybe able to get some shots of the crest of the hump. Plus the southside of the hump yard is the arrival tracks so you may be able to get some Loco's pulling into the yard.