Toluca, Illinois

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking about making a stop to Toluca, IL on my way to Rochelle and Chicago later this week. Would like to know if this is a good place to watch/photograph some ex Santa Fe mainline action. Seems like I read where there is a park near the tracks.

Thanks for any info.

Barry Mims
Wilsonville, Alabama

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bmims

I'm thinking about making a stop to Toluca, IL on my way to Rochelle and Chicago later this week. Would like to know if this is a good place to watch/photograph some ex Santa Fe mainline action. Seems like I read where there is a park near the tracks.

Thanks for any info.

Barry Mims
Wilsonville, Alabama

Well, you might get some interesting trackside pics, but anything that runs through Toluca also runs through Streator, 16 miles northeast and closer to Rochelle. The BNSF through Streator is Density 6, plus you'll get some Illinois Railnet and NS (Density 2) movement, too. The town also has several yards.

There are diamonds in the middle of town where the NS (former Conrail, former NYC) and BNSF (2 mains, former SP and ATSF) meet. There are also some remnants of abandoned ROWs of the C&A, CB&Q and GMO.

Although, after visiting Rochelle, Streator will seem relatively quiet. [:D]

[MP173]

I would agree with Poppa, Streator would be more interesting. I assume you are driving north on I39 and are wanting a bit of BNSF heavy duty action.

Several things are of interest in Streator.

1. The line enters from the south and crosses the Vermillion River on a bridge that would be a good angle for photos in the afternoon light.
2. Then, just north of the river, a siding bends directly east to connect with the NS Kankakee line. Trains make the turn to bypass Chicago. I dont know how many do this daily. Follow the parallel road and about 2 miles east is the NS junction where the line curves to the north or goes east. The NS line to the north eventually crosses the BNSF downtown and continues west to Hennepin. At one time steel trains ran this route....dont know about now.
3. The BNSF line downtown Streator is interesting, at least in my opinion. There was an Amtrak depot, which I assume is still there. The line runs north-south at this point, giving great lighting for southbound trains. The depot is an old ATSF building and gives great angles for photos.
4. The BNSF then curves east and sprints to Chicago. Small towns such as Mazon and Coal City give great photo options. If you like towers, Joliet has the UD tower still in operation along with the Joliet Union Station, which is very unique in that it has accoustics that are perfect. You can sit at one side of the depot and hear a conversation that is across the depot. Has something to do with the dome shape of the room. I hope they havent changed it. I was in there once and experienced it.
5. If you like coaling towers, there is one still standing in DeKalb on the old CNW (UP main). You are now near Rochelle.

I must say that I have not been in Streator in at least 7 years, perhaps things have changed, but it was a pretty interesting town.

At one time there were lines from the ATSF, Burlington, Gulf Mobile and Ohio, New york Central, and Wabash in town. A time travel machine back to the mid 50's would have been special.

ed

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses.

Barry

[Poppa_Zit]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MP173

I would agree with Poppa, Streator would be more interesting. I assume you are driving north on I39 and are wanting a bit of BNSF heavy duty action.

Several things are of interest in Streator.

1. The line enters from the south and crosses the Vermillion River on a bridge that would be a good angle for photos in the afternoon light.
2. Then, just north of the river, a siding bends directly east to connect with the NS Kankakee line. Trains make the turn to bypass Chicago. I dont know how many do this daily. Follow the parallel road and about 2 miles east is the NS junction where the line curves to the north or goes east. The NS line to the north eventually crosses the BNSF downtown and continues west to Hennepin. At one time steel trains ran this route....dont know about now.
3. The BNSF line downtown Streator is interesting, at least in my opinion. There was an Amtrak depot, which I assume is still there. The line runs north-south at this point, giving great lighting for southbound trains. The depot is an old ATSF building and gives great angles for photos.
4. The BNSF then curves east and sprints to Chicago. Small towns such as Mazon and Coal City give great photo options. If you like towers, Joliet has the UD tower still in operation along with the Joliet Union Station, which is very unique in that it has accoustics that are perfect. You can sit at one side of the depot and hear a conversation that is across the depot. Has something to do with the dome shape of the room. I hope they havent changed it. I was in there once and experienced it.
5. If you like coaling towers, there is one still standing in DeKalb on the old CNW (UP main). You are now near Rochelle.

I must say that I have not been in Streator in at least 7 years, perhaps things have changed, but it was a pretty interesting town.

At one time there were lines from the ATSF, Burlington, Gulf Mobile and Ohio, New york Central, and Wabash in town. A time travel machine back to the mid 50's would have been special.

ed

Isn't Streator lobbying hard for the return of passenger service? I thought I read that somewhere.

[MP173]

Dont know...havent been there in years. Had an account on the south side of town - Vactor, but we parted ways in 1999.

ed