BNSF and the CN/IC both have lines running north from Metropolis IL through the Shawnee forest. Those two are the only rail I know of going through that area any more.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
where in the forest do the BNSF and CN run
The BNSF runs south from Marion to through the forest to Vienna, then on to Metropolis. CN starts south at Edgewood [off the Cairo line] to Robbs then into Metropolis where they cross the Ohio into Paducah KY.
I don't know about traffic, but when me n the wife were camping by Metropolis in July, the mornings seems to be the busiest.
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