What's at the end of the *racetrack*?

[Murphy Siding]

     I'm out in corn country, where everything is single track.  I read about a four lane *racetrack* from Chicago(?) to Aurora(?), and wonder what happens at the end?

[blhanel]

I believe it splits into two main lines, one heads on down to Galesburg and points west and the other heads over to Rochelle and on up to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

[eolafan]

I believe it splits into two main lines, one heads on down to Galesburg and points west and the other heads over to Rochelle and on up to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Correct as can be...the third of the three "racetrack" main tracks ends just west of Eola Yard and goes down to two main line tracks past the Aurora Transportation Center and the old Aurora Metra/Amtrak station (now all but abandoned), and the main lines split just a little west of there and a single track main goes out through the far west suburbs and on past Rochelle and up along the Mississippi River through LaCrosse to Minneapolis and beyond (this line is called the C&I for Chicago and Iowa).  The other becomes a double track main line that goes out Southwest through Galesburg and on to Denver and beyond.   Hope this helps.

[snagletooth]

     I'm out in corn country, where everything is single track.  I read about a four lane *racetrack* from Chicago(?) to Aurora(?), and wonder what happens at the end?

Actually it's a three track mainline. The "fourth" main deosn't start until after Cicero, Western Ave, IIRC. And that's only for trains heading to the CR/ NS runthrough to Elkhart. And which section are you interested in. Their's an article in Trains that cover's the most photogonic area's. The old Aurora section throught downtown Aurora is another story. they cut that back to Eola in the 90's. It's now double track. I can give you info. on AO Aurora, outside of that, there's many more experts on the rest, especially Eola. their's a crew that hang's there still. I probabaly met some of them back when! We've all got our own expertise Out in CC, I assume (HAHA) you mean C&I between Aurora and Savanaha? Where are ya, somewhat specificic.

Nevermind, I just saw you where from the Dakotas. What info specifically are ya interested in?

[CShaveRR]

Lots of bumping posts!

Oh, that's the other end.

Somebody:  Wasn't the line three tracks all the way to the former depot (Broadway Street) at one time, with the junction just beyond it?

[eolafan]

Lots of bumping posts!

Oh, that's the other end.

Somebody:  Wasn't the line three tracks all the way to the former depot (Broadway Street) at one time, with the junction just beyond it?

Carl, yes it sure was triple track that far back until the early 1990's when the Aurora Transportation Center (current Metra station) was built.  The three main line tracks ended at the old station.  Good memory my friend.

[Poppa_Zit]

There also was a realignment of the tracks crossing the Fox River. I believe at the turn of the century the CB&Q C&I line crossed the river closer to downtown. I've seen that alignment in a map/drawings showing the streetcar and trolley lines in Aurora and their carbarn locations. I also seem to remember the change was made when the Q trackage was raised above street level through Downtown Aurora.

[ericsp]

The finish line

[greyhounds]

     I'm out in corn country, where everything is single track.  I read about a four lane *racetrack* from Chicago(?) to Aurora(?), and wonder what happens at the end?

The old "Q" slogan said it best.  At the end of "the racetrack" is:  "Everywhere West".

[csxengineer98]

The finish line

i was going to say the same thing when this thread first showed up..but i thought..na...to easy.. but im glade to see that someone else was thinking along the same lines..lol

csx engineer 

[Poppa_Zit]

There also was a realignment of the tracks crossing the Fox River. I believe at the turn of the century the CB&Q C&I line crossed the river closer to downtown. I've seen that alignment in a map/drawings showing the streetcar and trolley lines in Aurora and their carbarn locations. I also seem to remember the change was made when the Q trackage was raised above street level through Downtown Aurora.

Further research shows the CB&Q was elevated in Downtown Aurora in 1921-1921.

PZ

[Chris30]

At the end (well close to the end) of the Racetrack today (6/15) was a big traffic jam at Naperville @2:55. I boarded Metra dinky #1233 at La Grange Rd with a bicycle in tow. I think the WB dinky was already running @10 minutes behind when I got on. Everything was just fine until about Lisle. The WB Metra dinky, running on the north main was overtaken by a WB Amtrak Chief or CalZeph running on the south main and then both passenger trains overtook a WB hopper train holding short of Lisle on the center track. At Naperville the WB Amtrak train made a long stop on the south platform as the Metra dinky that I was on crawled up, stopped and then sat. The EB Chief or CalZeph was holding on the center track west of Naperville wating for a platform and there was freight train interference on the north main. This forced the WB dinky to the center track for the station at Rt59 where there is no center platform, just three crosswalks extended to the center track. It also meant that I had to drag a bicycle through three cars just to get off! Not the easiest trick in the world.

CC

[ericsp]

The finish line

i was going to say the same thing when this thread first showed up..but i thought..na...to easy.. but im glade to see that someone else was thinking along the same lines..lol

csx engineer 

I thought it was odd that nobody else wrote that earlier.

[CShaveRR]

I appreciated the "Everywhere West" response.

[Kevin C. Smith]

At the end (well close to the end) of the Racetrack today (6/15) was a big traffic jam at Naperville @2:55...The EB Chief or CalZeph was holding on the center track west of Naperville wating for a platform and there was freight train interference on the north main.

Hmmm...If it was the CZ, that would make it close to on time, wouldn't it? Maybe everybody came down to see!

[Murphy Siding]

Nevermind, I just saw you where from the Dakotas. What info specifically are ya interested in?

Actually, I was just wondering what happened when the *racetrack* ended.  Someday, when I win the lottery, I plan check out wonders like this.

[CShaveRR]

Let us know when you head this way, Murph--have we got some railroading to show you!

[Wdlgln005]

The "Other End" curves north from about 12-18th Street, with the St Charles Air Line continuing to the East & connections with the old IC/CN lines. AFAIK Amtrak owns most of the track from CUS south to 22nd st crossing.