CSX in Chicago

[alangj]

Two questions about the CSX (well actually three of them):

Is there an "official" name of the CSX (ex-B&OCT) line/subdivision which runs from their intermodal facility near 79th & Leavitt in Chicago down along Rockwell Avenue through the South suburbs and feeds into the west end of Barr Yard in Riverdale? What AAR channel and/or frequency is used along that line?

Has the CSX recently (within the last few months) upgraded the track and speed limits on that line? I live just across the street from that line in Evergreen Park, and lately the double-stack trains have REALLY been flying along, MUCH faster than I've ever seen in the last 25 years or so. Knowing that the northbound trains have a fairly sharp set of curves to negotiate a little over a mile North of our house got me a bit curious as to why the sudden noticible increase in speed.

Alan
Evergreen Park, IL

[Anonymous]

Alan,

The CSX line from Barr Yard to Rockwell Jct. is called the Blue Island Subdivision. The frequencies are 160.230 and 160.320.

[alangj]

Thanks for the info. The name makes perfect sense. I'll dial up the scanner and see what I can hear, although when they come by across the street with two 600's heading up a long string of double-stacks, you don't need a radio to tell you that something big's on the move.

Alan
Evergreen Park, IL