What The Heck

[Anonymous]

I was just wacthing the Rochelle Webcam when all of a sudden I saw lots of Smoke coming at the center bottum of the sscreen did anyone see that wI also saw a few people there wachting teh smoke.Looks like someone had sarted a small fire mmmmmmmmmmmm weird if you ask me. reply asap thanks

[Soo2610]

They have a fire pit and a supply of wood there so you can build a fire and roast some marshmellows and keep warm if you care to.

[dknelson]

My railfanning group has tailgated there and the grills get smokey when the hamburgers are cooking. Not strange at all once you've been there and seen the situation.
Dave

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a super place to watch trains. I wish someone would set up a similar thing around here.
Trains, Grills, "No-hassle" railfanning? How about setting up a park like this in Porter,Indiana?

[Soo2610]

It is and I believe a good part of the tab was picked up by the city of Rochelle. You should try to visit the site. You won't be disappointed.
Was out there today and noticed that the UP is doing major signal upgrading at the diamond. Wonder if it ties in with the intermodal yard they are building just west of town.

[dknelson]

You are close enough to Rochelle to make the trip. There are some decent motels in the area that do not cost too much. there is the park itself, landscaped, with benches, tables, and a built in scanner. Plus a grill and a bon fire and a little hobo villege for kids plus an example of strap rail from the 1840s, plus a 3 ft gauge diesel for kids to climb on plus MOW trailer you can picnic at PLUS a hobby shop on site that sells RR artifacts at reasonable prices as well as hot food PLUS rest rooms PLUS soda machines PLUS plenty of parking that is well lit at night. The town itself still has both depots, CNW and CB&Q. A short line with interesting locomotives is nearby at Flagg Center.
I advise a trip.
Dave Nelson

[eolafan]

I've been there numerous times and you are right, it is a great place to watch trains safely and in the company of many foamers from all around the country. Those of us who hang around the BNSF yard in Eola, IL have been talking about a similar site for years, but nobody has hit the lottery yet so we can afford it!