Chicago visit

[zardoz]

For nifty class 1 action, check out Blue Island.  Lots of trains, a junction, and some cool bridges.  Do not tresspass.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=&city=blue+island&state=il&zipcode=

or

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=m&trf=0&lon=-87.680082&lat=41.657331&mag=5

 

[eolafan]

The exact engine consist was/is RailNet B23-7 number 2 followed by LLPX GP15-1 number 1513 followed by RailNet GP-7 number 2 followed by RailNet B23-7 number 1 (yes there were two RailNet number 2 engines, one B23-7 and one GP-7, go figure????).

Somebody must be a "Newhart" fan on that road: "Hi.  I'm Larry and this is my brother Daryl and my other brother Daryl." 

[ChuckCobleigh]

The exact engine consist was/is RailNet B23-7 number 2 followed by LLPX GP15-1 number 1513 followed by RailNet GP-7 number 2 followed by RailNet B23-7 number 1 (yes there were two RailNet number 2 engines, one B23-7 and one GP-7, go figure????).

Somebody must be a "Newhart" fan on that road: "Hi.  I'm Larry and this is my brother Daryl and my other brother Daryl." 

[Poppa_Zit]

Usually the Illinois Railnet weekday daily (from Streator through Ottawa) rolls into West Eola anytime from around 7:15 PM to 9 PM. Departure depends on how fast they can get them hooked up to their return units and not mess up anything else they have going on or coming through.

We also have plenty of places to eat Chicago-style food while you're here.

[EJE818]

5 short lines that you can visit are Illinois are the Illinois Railway (formerly the Illinois Railnet), IHB, EJ&E, Belt Railway, and Iowa Interstate. IHB is probably the easiest one of them to access, and there are many locations to see them. You will see a lot of trains from class one railways on IHB, EJ&E, and BRC. I don't really know many locations on the BRC, but someone sle could probably tell you that. IHB can be easily accessed at Dolton, Blue Island, and LaGrange. EJ&E can be seen at Griffith, and around the Joliet, Plainfield, and Crest Hill. The best place to see EJ&E, as well as CSX and NS is Pine Junction in Gary, Indiana. It is a nice spot where usually nobody is around but railfans and train crews. However, due to a couple of irresponsible visitors that felt it was right to take pictures standing on the track, it is now being aggressively patrolled by CSX police and they will tell you to leave if they see you, even if you are acting in a responsible matter. It is kind of sad because Pine is the only place where you can see EJ&E's ex-DM&IR SDMs, and their lone SD18.

[eolafan]

Shortlines and Chicago normally don't go well together--we do everything BIG!.

Having said that, though, might I suggest the Illinois RailNet, which runs its trains into and out of Eola Yard near Aurora (this falls within your 50-mile radius).  Perhaps Poppa Zit or Eolafan, or other Forum members, will be able to give you more information on where and when to shoot it.

Lately Illinois RailNet comes into Eola yard from the "west" (Montgomery, IL) on weekends at around 4:00 p.m., drops off (normally) about ten or so cars of sand and then picks up about the same number of empties and returns to their home rails. Power lately has been a four unit set consisting of two GE U23's, one old GP7 and a "rent a wreck" EMD leaser (MP15 I think).  Hope this helps. Have a good visit.

UPDATE: I just returned from a couple of hours at Eola, during which RailNet arrived with forty two sand cars.  I left before he picked up his empties so I am not how many he took with him. The "same old power" was on the RailNet train, and I was somewhat incorrect above.  The exact engine consist was/is RailNet B23-7 number 2 followed by LLPX GP15-1 number 1513 followed by RailNet GP-7 number 2 followed by RailNet B23-7 number 1 (yes there were two RailNet number 2 engines, one B23-7 and one GP-7, go figure????).

[eolafan]

Shortlines and Chicago normally don't go well together--we do everything BIG!.

Having said that, though, might I suggest the Illinois RailNet, which runs its trains into and out of Eola Yard near Aurora (this falls within your 50-mile radius).  Perhaps Poppa Zit or Eolafan, or other Forum members, will be able to give you more information on where and when to shoot it.

Lately Illinois RailNet comes into Eola yard from the "west" (Montgomery, IL) on weekends at around 4:00 p.m., drops off (normally) about ten or so cars of sand and then picks up about the same number of empties and returns to their home rails. Power lately has been a four unit set consisting of two GE U23's, one old GP7 and a "rent a wreck" EMD leaser (MP15 I think).  Hope this helps. Have a good visit.

[CShaveRR]

Shortlines and Chicago normally don't go well together--we do everything BIG!.

Having said that, though, might I suggest the Illinois RailNet, which runs its trains into and out of Eola Yard near Aurora (this falls within your 50-mile radius).  Perhaps Poppa Zit or Eolafan, or other Forum members, will be able to give you more information on where and when to shoot it.

[Anonymous]

Good morning, I will be in Chicago for  few days in early August. Is there a short line close to the city [within 50 miles] that has regular daily services and I am not likely to have security problems if I take photographs? Rgds, Bill Dunn, Brisbane, Australia