To follow up on the suggestions by CSaveRR & Pop Z... another good road for catching the UP action between Geneva and Elburn is Keslinger Rd. Keslinger Rd. crosses over the tracks at the Peck Rd intersection. The bridge/intersection is large enough (weird angle) that you can pull over (going west) and get an excellent view of the new Peck Rd Interlocker (2 tracks to 3 tracks). Just west of Peck Rd., Keslinger drops down below track level and follows the tracks that are on a high fill for a while. This is a rural setting and the view is usually unrestricted.
Use Google maps. Type in, "Geneva, IL" and that will give you a good overview of the area.
CC
CShaveRR wrote: I don't think you can get much more rural than West Chicago's yard (that's Kress Road, by the way). Tom, if you're looking for something by which your nephew can identify freight cars and locomotives, you probably don't want a shot of a yerd, anyway (you'd be getting more roof than side, and that's not really helpful). Go out into the country and do a shot of a manifest freight train (and possibly other types, for variety) across an open field, so you get the sides of the cars. There are wide-open vistas along the UP between Elburn and DeKalb, where mile-long freight trains can be seen in their entirety. Drive west of Elburn on Route 38, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
I don't think you can get much more rural than West Chicago's yard (that's Kress Road, by the way).
Tom, if you're looking for something by which your nephew can identify freight cars and locomotives, you probably don't want a shot of a yerd, anyway (you'd be getting more roof than side, and that's not really helpful). Go out into the country and do a shot of a manifest freight train (and possibly other types, for variety) across an open field, so you get the sides of the cars. There are wide-open vistas along the UP between Elburn and DeKalb, where mile-long freight trains can be seen in their entirety. Drive west of Elburn on Route 38, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Good advice above. A good spot is Meredith, just west of where Route 38 crosses over the UP. Take the next right and you'll have quite a panorama -- if the corn isn't too high. The multiple and huge grain elevators make for a great background, and during mid-day you'll have great lighting as you are south of the main line.
About a half-mile west of Meredith (just east of Maple Park) is a block signal, and when it's backed up going into the yards they hold eastbound trains there until the line clears. So when they get to you at Meredith they're not going top speed. Westbounds usually are at full speed, but whistle for a crossing a half-mile to the east so you'll know in advance they're coming.
The agri fields in the foreground and the huge silos north of the tracks are about as rural as it gets.
Pop Z
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
n012944 wrote:You could also get UP's Proviso yard from the Mannhiem Road bridge. UP's yard in West Chicago also has a bridge over the western edge of it, but I don't remember the name of the road. Bert
You could also get UP's Proviso yard from the Mannhiem Road bridge. UP's yard in West Chicago also has a bridge over the western edge of it, but I don't remember the name of the road.
Bert
An "expensive model collector"
Also consider BRC Clearing Yard from Cicero Avenue overpass.
IHB Blue Island Yard or CSX Barr Yard from Halsted St. overpasses.
IHB Gibson Yard from Indianapolis Blvd.
Okay, here's some ideas:
Shoot the BNSF Cicero Yard off the Laramie Avenue bridge pedestrian walkway. Street runs N/S so either shoot early AM (west) or late in day (east).
Same with Franklin Park CP yard off Mannhiem Road Bridge.
Ashland Ave yard off Ashland Avenue bridge.
Eola Yard off Eola Road bridge.
Stay safe,
Poppa Z
One Track Mind wrote:Sears Tower Sky Deck, south windows. Great view of the Amtrak & Metra yards and facilities.
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