Rochelle Railroad Park Giftshop Being Shut-Down

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Old Limey

Thanks for the Info, if I do come and do as you say I will have to drive on the wrong side of the road ...

Then you'll feel right at home watching the UP on the former CNW mains. In keeping with CNW tradition, the UP is left-running, too, through most of Illinois.

[spbed]

No I do not know of any link for Colton but if you check the link in my signature & click on it then on any of S. California gallaries you will find plently of pix from Colton. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Old Limey

Thanks for the Info, if I do come and do as you say I will have to drive on the wrong side of the road and this may be a problem for my sword arm as mentioned in an earlier topic.What a shame passenger trains are no longer running on our Rochelle favourite.
Just how important to Rochelle is the train attraction.Is there a better local non-train one close by?
Is there a link for Colton?
At least Rochelle seems safe from closure but my condolences to those who lost their living.

[Old Limey]

Thanks for the Info, if I do come and do as you say I will have to drive on the wrong side of the road and this may be a problem for my sword arm as mentioned in an earlier topic.What a shame passenger trains are no longer running on our Rochelle favourite.
Just how important to Rochelle is the train attraction.Is there a better local non-train one close by?
Is there a link for Colton?
At least Rochelle seems safe from closure but my condolences to those who lost their living.

[spbed]

Yes go to Chicago rent a car & go west about 70 miles. It took about 1hr 15 minutes from Chicago to Rochelle. Actually Colton in California would be a far better place in my opinion to place a webcam. Much more action going on at much quicker speeds then Rochelle[:p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Old Limey

I retire to my den and like Billy Liar dream of the Country of Ambrosia, but in my case it is sitting watching the trains,cars,track workers,weather, and occasional visitor at the end of the enclosure. Some nights I enjoy seeing the enormous lights of freights approaching and this is the only time you can tell what is coming from behind the webcam although body language of people during the day can indicate imminent arrivals.
If any improvement can be made by the tourist board with the co-operation of our hosts Trains.com mag. It must surely include improving the webcam facility. I have been able to turn the camera on other US sites after a wait in a queue(We British love queuing). I understand that broadband restrictions do not allow sound but that would be really great if possible.
I am not sure how I could visit Rochelle but if I can I will one day.Nearest International Airport Chicago?? Most of the attached railway shops I have been too in UK are the same as described by one or two of you who have been to Rochelle but in our case they are on preserved lines and just trying to boost the funds.Perhaps a link to local webcams around Rochelle if it is a place of interest.Why a tourist board if it has no places to show off? We have small towns here and there we describe as "A Fish & Chip shop with houses around it" But we have others that are a delight to visit. I hope Rochelle is one of those.
Hey! I am a steam man but after sitting here watching a train take 10 minutes to pass even I must recognise that Diesals in America earn their living.

[Old Limey]

I retire to my den and like Billy Liar dream of the Country of Ambrosia, but in my case it is sitting watching the trains,cars,track workers,weather, and occasional visitor at the end of the enclosure. Some nights I enjoy seeing the enormous lights of freights approaching and this is the only time you can tell what is coming from behind the webcam although body language of people during the day can indicate imminent arrivals.
If any improvement can be made by the tourist board with the co-operation of our hosts Trains.com mag. It must surely include improving the webcam facility. I have been able to turn the camera on other US sites after a wait in a queue(We British love queuing). I understand that broadband restrictions do not allow sound but that would be really great if possible.
I am not sure how I could visit Rochelle but if I can I will one day.Nearest International Airport Chicago?? Most of the attached railway shops I have been too in UK are the same as described by one or two of you who have been to Rochelle but in our case they are on preserved lines and just trying to boost the funds.Perhaps a link to local webcams around Rochelle if it is a place of interest.Why a tourist board if it has no places to show off? We have small towns here and there we describe as "A Fish & Chip shop with houses around it" But we have others that are a delight to visit. I hope Rochelle is one of those.
Hey! I am a steam man but after sitting here watching a train take 10 minutes to pass even I must recognise that Diesals in America earn their living.

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Milwhiawatha

But without the gift shop to me its not really worth the drive.

Jeez, have we forgotten when we had to sit on a crappy picnic table at Rochelle, with no roof over our heads? Or before that, on lawn chairs we carried ourselves?

The "gift shop" was no big deal and will be no big loss. The stuff was either common or overpriced or both. Just be happy the johns will still be working. Either you go there to watch trains, which ain't changed, or you weren't that interested in the first place.

[Chris30]

"The Port of Rochelle" is what one official from Rochelle called the town a couple of years ago on a TV special spotlighting the new Global III yard. It's all about location - two class-one railroads that intersect and two interstate highways that intersect. I don't know if I see Rochelle being a tru "rural" town.

CC

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

The gift shop would be nice. A museum would be nice. A nice soft chair would be better. But I am going to go for the same reason I go fishing. I like to sit and fish and I like to sit and watch trains. The fishing takes a little more skill and effort, so didn't get a license this year.

The people around me can go to the museum, go to a gift shop if there is one or go look at the town.

Perfect!

Mookie

[:)] 10-4 Mook, I have only been in the Rochelle gift shop once since it opened but use the "facilities" often while there. I go to Rochelle to watch trains, not to shop.

[spbed]

Almost everything sold in that gift shop is available at your local hobby shop or such sites as Ebay at much lower prices then that shop will sell you the same thing for.So long as the toliets will be remaining all will be the same when visiting Rochelle. The trains will still be there right? The mini mall about 1/2 mile away will still be there to buy food right? So whats the big deal if the real reason for going there is to see UPRR & BNSF moving trains thru the crossing? [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wgnrr

QUOTE: Originally posted by Milwhiawatha

I have visisted the park once and that was 2 or 3 yrs ago. I am from The Waukesha WI area so this was sort of a trip for my family and I. I say family because my dad, mom a family friend I went to the IRM and then to Rochelle for the park got their sort of late but hand a great time. I picked up some nice gifts at the gift shop and enjoyed talking to them.

So for seeing the property that the rochelle tourism board has to work with I cant imagine a museum on the property, along with a small gift shop or an area to get some drink and eats. Basically its a small wedge of land so this will be an interesting project to see happen. I was planning on coming down the week after easter but I couldnt get anyone else to go so I stayed home maybe in the near future it maybe possible. But without the gift shop to me its not really worth the drive.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I like driving down to Illinois to hit IRM and Rochelle in the same day, too. If I wanted to go to a RR museum, I'll go to IRM. It is the biggest railroad museum in the country, isn't it?

Phil

[Mookie]

The gift shop would be nice. A museum would be nice. A nice soft chair would be better. But I am going to go for the same reason I go fishing. I like to sit and fish and I like to sit and watch trains. The fishing takes a little more skill and effort, so didn't get a license this year.

The people around me can go to the museum, go to a gift shop if there is one or go look at the town.

Perfect!

Mookie

[wgnrr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Milwhiawatha

I have visisted the park once and that was 2 or 3 yrs ago. I am from The Waukesha WI area so this was sort of a trip for my family and I. I say family because my dad, mom a family friend I went to the IRM and then to Rochelle for the park got their sort of late but hand a great time. I picked up some nice gifts at the gift shop and enjoyed talking to them.

So for seeing the property that the rochelle tourism board has to work with I cant imagine a museum on the property, along with a small gift shop or an area to get some drink and eats. Basically its a small wedge of land so this will be an interesting project to see happen. I was planning on coming down the week after easter but I couldnt get anyone else to go so I stayed home maybe in the near future it maybe possible. But without the gift shop to me its not really worth the drive.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I like driving down to Illinois to hit IRM and Rochelle in the same day, too. If I wanted to go to a RR museum, I'll go to IRM. It is the biggest railroad museum in the country, isn't it?

Phil

[Milwhiawatha]

I have visisted the park once and that was 2 or 3 yrs ago. I am from The Waukesha WI area so this was sort of a trip for my family and I. I say family because my dad, mom a family friend I went to the IRM and then to Rochelle for the park got their sort of late but hand a great time. I picked up some nice gifts at the gift shop and enjoyed talking to them.

So for seeing the property that the rochelle tourism board has to work with I cant imagine a museum on the property, along with a small gift shop or an area to get some drink and eats. Basically its a small wedge of land so this will be an interesting project to see happen. I was planning on coming down the week after easter but I couldnt get anyone else to go so I stayed home maybe in the near future it maybe possible. But without the gift shop to me its not really worth the drive.

[Anonymous]

For years, freight trains and trucks have zoomed past this little farm town 80 miles west of Chicago on their way someplace else.

Then in 2003, Union Pacific Corp. gave them a reason to stop: an unglamorous yard where the standardized shipping containers carrying goods from across the world could be transferred between trains and trucks. Now, the explosion in global trade is remaking Rochelle, population 9,500.

Amid the nearby fields of corn and soybeans, Target Corp. and Lowe's Cos. are building distribution centers. Real-estate developers have snapped up land. Higher property values have plowed more tax revenues into city coffers. To feed the new lunch and dinner crowd of truckers and construction workers, a Culver's fast-food restaurant opened near Interstate 39 in January, serving "ButterBurgers."

Experts point out that warehouses and distribution plants don't create a wealth of new jobs. "Distribution isn't a high labor activity," says Terry Harris, managing partner and a logistics consultant at Chicago Consulting. "It's not a manufacturing plant." Average wages at distribution facilities in the area run at $10 to $12 an hour for shipping clerks and $12 to $16 a hour for lift-truck operators. Salaried supervisors make an average of $35,000 to $40,000, and facility managers $50,000 plus.

Downtown, Aldo Barone, owner of Aldo's Pizzeria and Italian Ristorante, last year almost quadrupled his dining floor space to 7,000 square feet from 1,800 square feet. And it still isn't enough.


Interesting article describing how intermodal transfer stations--where freight rail lines interconnect with trucking--are being created in rural areas with good proximity to major markets.

Several trends are driving intermodal transfer to the same small towns that have lost their manufacturing base due to globalization (or, at least, to very similar towns). The very same forces that drive globalization, in fact, make these locations ideal for intermodal transfer.

Cheaper overseas labor, combined with greater capital mobility, create manufacturing capability and capacity overseas. These, when combined with the economics of intermodal shipping, make it economical to build cheap in China and still sell cheap in America. The massive buying power and streamlined operation of Wal-Mart?, Target, etc, also help to hold the line on the price of goods. All of this has allowed for sustained demand in America. The existing intermodal transfer points, located in traditional urban rail yards in Chicago, San Francisco, etc, are straining to keep up with these forces. Since it would be costly to expand them in place, the rail companies are looking elsewhere to satisfy the demand.

American manufacturing didn't leave because the demand decreased. The demand is still there, but competition in global labor markets is driving costs down.

http://scriban.com/movabletype_archives/002325.shtml

[Murphy Siding]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AMTK161

Being blind, a rocker with a place to set up the recording stuff sounds good to me. The one time I came with my father we only got 3 trains in 2 hours...2 BNSF's and an NS. Yeah of corse as soon as I put the microphone in the car there went 4 UP SD40-2's eastbound...We chased them all the way to Brundage Road and then gave up.

I usually spend most of my time out at Eola (Jim, I'm sure you've probably seen me); but I'll try to get out to Rochelle one of those two days.

AMTK161: Can you tell what locomotive is on the point of a train by the sound?

[chicagorails]

what a setup they had.rail shop with everything under the sun,books,old time tables,locks,laterns,operating engine manuals,semapores,photos,whattcha want? they had it!! film,candy,soda,and good friendly service. bathrooms very clean. now soda machines out side. 2 very old switch engines made in rochelle sit outside. only 1/4 mile from resturants downtown. quite a jewell !!
going to be heavily full of folks on cnw convention, may 18,19,20,21.

[Tharmeni]

In Florida, a contract between a city and any entity is a public record and, thus, accessible. Guess Illinois is a bit more secretive.

[waltersrails]

thats sad i planed on going up there this summer

[eolafan]

Hi AMTK161, I am in Wisconsin on business right now and will likely be out at Eola yard on Thursday and perhaps over the weekend as well. Hope to see you then.

[AMTK161]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the welcome! Wow that kind of stuff gets around fast! Yes, a man named Mike gave it to me; when we met he told me that he does do work with cars. When he stopped buy he was actually supposed to be heading out to close an angle **** on a threw EJ&E freight that had stopped in the yard. I'll probably be out today, as Amtrak 6 is late and will be rite around the time 347 runs; and both engineers are friends of mine and will play around with the horn Otherwise, I'll likely be out Saturday or Sunday.

[eolafan]

To AMTK161: Hi, a big welcome to our forums, glad to have you stop by. Yes, I have seen you and your Dad (and sometimes your Mom I guess) out at Eola. I was out there on Saturday and Sunday for a while this weekend and heard something about an EJ&E employee giving you one of the EJ&E hats...true? If so, you are lucky to have received he hat as that kind of thing is very rare. The EJ&E guy who supposedly gave it to you is a great big guy who drives a white pickup truck and comes to our side of the yard to prepare the incoming trains for their trip onto the J (attaching FRED units, etc.).

Let me know your name and I will make a point of coming over to chat when I next see you at Eola yard.

Jim

[AMTK161]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim--any chance of your going to Rochelle on the evening of Saturday, 5/20?

Very possibly now that I see you mentioned MAY 20 and not April 20.

^~^ ? This is getting very interesting. With all the people that live in Illinois, we may end up with statehood day! Maybe Rochelle Tourism will have to order in a lot of rockers for all of us! (How am I doin' on getting us seating, guys?)

Mook

[;)] Mook, there are days when I feel like doing back flips and others when that rocker sounds really good to me. At 56 years young you never can tell what the next day may bring, just as long as there is a next day.

Being blind, a rocker with a place to set up the recording stuff sounds good to me. The one time I came with my father we only got 3 trains in 2 hours...2 BNSF's and an NS. Yeah of corse as soon as I put the microphone in the car there went 4 UP SD40-2's eastbound...We chased them all the way to Brundage Road and then gave up.

I usually spend most of my time out at Eola (Jim, I'm sure you've probably seen me); but I'll try to get out to Rochelle one of those two days.

[CShaveRR]

Jim, I share both that age and that sentiment with you!

Allan, Rochelle's population was 9424 as of the 2000 census, so it's probably right around 10,000 now.

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim--any chance of your going to Rochelle on the evening of Saturday, 5/20?

Very possibly now that I see you mentioned MAY 20 and not April 20.

^~^ ? This is getting very interesting. With all the people that live in Illinois, we may end up with statehood day! Maybe Rochelle Tourism will have to order in a lot of rockers for all of us! (How am I doin' on getting us seating, guys?)

Mook

[;)] Mook, there are days when I feel like doing back flips and others when that rocker sounds really good to me. At 56 years young you never can tell what the next day may bring, just as long as there is a next day.

[Anonymous]

What is the Population of Rochelle?

[Anonymous]

I don't think the town (or the non-profit) is going to kill the goose that lays golden eggs. I've been told "we" bring $125,000 a year into the town's economy, not bad for a burg whose population is barely in five digits.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim--any chance of your going to Rochelle on the evening of Saturday, 5/20?

Very possibly now that I see you mentioned MAY 20 and not April 20.

^~^ ? This is getting very interesting. With all the people that live in Illinois, we may end up with statehood day! Maybe Rochelle Tourism will have to order in a lot of rockers for all of us! (How am I doin' on getting us seating, guys?)

Mook

[Anonymous]

I was asked by CShaveRR to shed some light on the first annual Rochelle Railroad Days which will take place May 20-21. It will be fairly simple this first year to start out. We plan to have a bluegrass band play live music and a dance Saturday night on May 20th. We will also have a Hobo King & Queen contest Saturday night along with some homemade Hobo Stew thanks to "Redbird's" recipe. We hope to conduct a swap meet Saturday, as long as we get the OK from the CNWHS convention to do so. We don't want to interfear with their swap meet on Sunday. We will also have a small street train with an engine and 2 cars that everyone can take a ride on. The Rochelle Muesum, just 2 blocks away, will have speaker Simon Cordery do a presentation about the railroads at 1pm on May 21 called "Crossroads of the Nation - The Hidden History of Illinois Railraods". There will hopefully be some other things going on as well that we haven't quite nailed down as of yet.

Ross Freier, Director
Rochelle Tourism & Visitor's Association
[e-mail]

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim--any chance of your going to Rochelle on the evening of Saturday, 5/20?

Very possibly now that I see you mentioned MAY 20 and not April 20.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Allan,

My wife has used them, so they have to be decent. Of course, that's when there was staff on premises maintaining them.

Fully understood. Come think it. This topic about shutting down the Gift shop was being mentioned on Lets talk Trains today. This is a very huge topic. Allan.