Dose anyone knows if their is any freight traffic on Metra's Union Pacific North,Northwest, and the Milwaukee District West line? And if so how frequent is it? Also one more question I got a scanner raido for Christmas an I like to lisitien to the Railroad and I don't hear alot of raido traffic on it could someone please explain why in Chicago the Raihub of the Nation Railroad Raido traffic is very infrequent? It is a base raido and the attena is mounted on propley. Could someone please anwser these questions. Thank you
The MD-W is probably the busiest of the three I'd say. From Chicago to Bensenville is probably the busiest parts, with CP trains, as well as various transfers running to and from Bensenville Yard. I'd say the MD-W sees about 20-25 freight a day. Also, at Franklin Park the IHB joins up with the MD-W and that adds probably another 15-25 freight a day through there. West of Bensenville the main freight traffic are trains going to CP's IC&E mainline, which is probably about 2-8 a day, so it is far busier east of Bensenville. I'm not too familar with the other two lines. Also, about the scanner, I am not the best with scanners but some lines seem to have more activity on the scanner then others. I think it depends on the railroad.
Scanner range is rather limited. Even a base station with a tower mounted antenna will not be able to pick up all of the railroad 'chatter' around the Chicago area. Sometimes you will hear a train 3 miles away, and other times a train around the block will not be heard due to building interference.
If your scanner could pick up all of the railroad radio traffic in the Chicago area, it would just be 'noise' as multiple conversations would be stepping on each other. The railroads use 'repeater' channels so the dispatcher can always communicate with the trains. Many times you may hear a 'tone' before the train crew transmits - they are calling the dispacher by activating a repeater that goes direct to the dispacher.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
There is no freight traffic that I am aware of on the UP-N line.
On the UP-NW line, southeast of the connection in Des Plaines with the UP's UP/CP joint use line from Bensenville/Proviso, my experience is that there is only a couple of trains/day, consisting of a local run down to the Chicago Terminal yard (at North+Elston).
Northwest of joint use line connection in Des Plaines, there is additional traffic that flows to/from the Chrysler plant in Belvedere and beyond. I don't have clarity as to how much there is, but my experience is that it's not much more than perhaps 4-5 daily.
Lastly, although your text says MILW-W, your title says MILW-N, so I'll address the MILW-N: the vast majority of freight trains switch at Techny onto the joint use line and proceed to Bensenville, with only a few continuing straight into the city.
MILW205 There is no freight traffic that I am aware of on the UP-N line. On the UP-NW line, southeast of the connection in Des Plaines with the UP's UP/CP joint use line from Bensenville/Proviso, my experience is that there is only a couple of trains/day, consisting of a local run down to the Chicago Terminal yard (at North+Elston). Northwest of joint use line connection in Des Plaines, there is additional traffic that flows to/from the Chrysler plant in Belvedere and beyond. I don't have clarity as to how much there is, but my experience is that it's not much more than perhaps 4-5 daily. Lastly, although your text says MILW-W, your title says MILW-N, so I'll address the MILW-N: the vast majority of freight trains switch at Techny onto the joint use line and proceed to Bensenville, with only a few continuing straight into the city.
The CNW NW line goes to Janesville WI, and the GM truck plant, not the Chrysler Belvedere plant. GM closed the truck plant last year, so I would think that freight traffic must me really down on the line.
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MILW205On the UP-NW line, Northwest of joint use line connection in Des Plaines, there is additional traffic that flows to/from the Chrysler plant in Belvedere and beyond. I don't have clarity as to how much there is, but my experience is that it's not much more than perhaps 4-5 daily.
The UP Northwest line never served the Chrysler plant in Belvidere. It did serve the General Motors plant in Janesville, which is now closed down. Until last year, traffic to Janesville was two scheduled trains per day; that was reduced to one round trip last fall or thereabouts. The train still runs, but instead of being APRPR (an auto train), it's now MPRPR. Every once in a while, an extra grain train will run over this line.
Belvidere is served by the Belvidere Sub, which leaves the UP East-West main line at West Chicago.
Oops, sorry, n012944; I missed your response to this.
Carl
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wilmette2210 Dose anyone knows if their is any freight traffic on Metra's Union Pacific North
Dose anyone knows if their is any freight traffic on Metra's Union Pacific North
Only north of Lake Bluff (Oak Creek coal trains and the wayfreight that works out of Waukegan).
wilmette2210I got a scanner raido for Christmas an I like to lisitien to the Railroad and I don't hear alot of raido traffic
Check these out:
http://www.steamtrainsandtractors.com/RR_Freq_Guide.html
http://www.chicagoscanningclub.com/CSCRailroad.htm
zardoz wilmette2210 Dose anyone knows if their is any freight traffic on Metra's Union Pacific North Only north of Lake Bluff (Oak Creek coal trains and the wayfreight that works out of Waukegan).
Then how come I sometimes see freight traffic every once in a blue moon on the Kenosha sub south of Lake Bluff. I live in Wilmette and sometimes I see freight trains on the line. Would you know why by any chance Zardoz. Please let me know thank you.
Back to part of your original question about why you're hearing a lot less radio talk than you expected: if Wilmette is your location as well as your name, a typical scanner shouldn't be expected to bring in to you much more than the UP North and Milwaukee North lines (and probably the latter only if you're lucky and conditions are right).
And what would you expect to hear? If operations are anything near normal, there is little reason for the crews to be talking on the radio in your vicinity. I don't believe there are any defect detectors close to you. Do keep track of the frequencies on which you hear transmissions, so you can determine which line is generating the action.
CShaveRR Back to part of your original question about why you're hearing a lot less radio talk than you expected: if Wilmette is your location as well as your name, a typical scanner shouldn't be expected to bring in to you much more than the UP North and Milwaukee North lines (and probably the latter only if you're lucky and conditions are right). And what would you expect to hear? If operations are anything near normal, there is little reason for the crews to be talking on the radio in your vicinity. I don't believe there are any defect detectors close to you. Do keep track of the frequencies on which you hear transmissions, so you can determine which line is generating the action.
Thank you I can hear Metra trains on the Kenosha Sub during the evening Rush Hour, I have heard track warrents beeing issiued on the Milwaukee sub, and Amtrak Police at Union Station. Are there any Defect Dectors on the Kenosha sub and if so where? Are there also defect dectors on the Milwaukee sub and if so where? Please let me know thank you.
wilmette2210 CShaveRR Back to part of your original question about why you're hearing a lot less radio talk than you expected: if Wilmette is your location as well as your name, a typical scanner shouldn't be expected to bring in to you much more than the UP North and Milwaukee North lines (and probably the latter only if you're lucky and conditions are right). And what would you expect to hear? If operations are anything near normal, there is little reason for the crews to be talking on the radio in your vicinity. I don't believe there are any defect detectors close to you. Do keep track of the frequencies on which you hear transmissions, so you can determine which line is generating the action. Are there any Defect Dectors on the Kenosha sub and if so where? Are there also defect dectors on the Milwaukee sub and if so where? Please let me know thank you.
Are there any Defect Dectors on the Kenosha sub and if so where? Are there also defect dectors on the Milwaukee sub and if so where? Please let me know thank you.
Kenosha sub: milepost 46.1
Milwaukee sub: Valley milepost 21, Gurnee milepost 44, and Waxdale milepost 63
Regarding your question of freight trains, I know of no industry on that line anymore. We used to service a lumber company in Highland Park, occassionally spot a car in Lake Forest, but I believe all of those customers are gone. We used to go to Fort Sheridan rarely. But I know of nothing else on the line.
Additionally, any freight on that line MUST end up in the Chicago terminal area, because there are no diverging rails anywhere south of Lake Bluff (except North Avenue yard) until Clinton Street.
n012944 MILW205 There is no freight traffic that I am aware of on the UP-N line. On the UP-NW line, southeast of the connection in Des Plaines with the UP's UP/CP joint use line from Bensenville/Proviso, my experience is that there is only a couple of trains/day, consisting of a local run down to the Chicago Terminal yard (at North+Elston). Northwest of joint use line connection in Des Plaines, there is additional traffic that flows to/from the Chrysler plant in Belvedere and beyond. I don't have clarity as to how much there is, but my experience is that it's not much more than perhaps 4-5 daily. Lastly, although your text says MILW-W, your title says MILW-N, so I'll address the MILW-N: the vast majority of freight trains switch at Techny onto the joint use line and proceed to Bensenville, with only a few continuing straight into the city. The CNW NW line goes to Janesville WI, and the GM truck plant, not the Chrysler Belvedere plant. GM closed the truck plant last year, so I would think that freight traffic must me really down on the line.
Ah, yes -- Janesville is what I had in mind, but for some reason was focused on Belvedere instead. Thanks for the correction!
CShaveRR MILW205On the UP-NW line, Northwest of joint use line connection in Des Plaines, there is additional traffic that flows to/from the Chrysler plant in Belvedere and beyond. I don't have clarity as to how much there is, but my experience is that it's not much more than perhaps 4-5 daily. The UP Northwest line never served the Chrysler plant in Belvidere. It did serve the General Motors plant in Janesville, which is now closed down. Until last year, traffic to Janesville was two scheduled trains per day; that was reduced to one round trip last fall or thereabouts. The train still runs, but instead of being APRPR (an auto train), it's now MPRPR. Every once in a while, an extra grain train will run over this line. Belvidere is served by the Belvidere Sub, which leaves the UP East-West main line at West Chicago. Oops, sorry, n012944; I missed your response to this.
Could you please explain what an MPRR is? Let me know thank you
CShaveRRMPRPR is the way UP currently serves Janesville--a Manifest that originates at PRoviso and returns to PRoviso. This train runs Sunday through Thursday only now. No "shorts"--the run goes from Proviso to Janesville, sets out its train, picks up a new train, and returns to Proviso.
Thank you how often dose the freight train to Janseville run as I plan to do some railfaning? Also do you think that Union Pacific might sell and/or leasse the line north of Harvard to a Short Line? Please let me know thank you.
I live in Chicago really close to the UP NW and have since I bought my house in 2009. At first there would be an infrequent, late night freight train but now it seems like there is at least one per night and sometimes two. They seem extremely heavy based on how the ground shakes. Anyone have any ideas for why there might be more freight traffic now or where it's going?
What kind of scanner and antenna do you have? CP would seem to offer the best opportunities for listening in on freight business. They run quite a few trains on their Milwaukee - Bensenville line, particularly around the morning and evening rush hours of Metra trains. You should be close enough to tap into their conversations.
My scanner is on when in my office. It constantly monitors chatter on the CN, NS (2 lines), and CSX in NW Indiana. There are probably close to 250 movements daily thru this area, so the scanner is chattering constantly.
A very good antenna away from electronics (and outside if possible) helps greatly.
ed
Unfortunately I don't have a scanner. Would they be discussing what their cargo is and where it's headed over the radio?
Not to my knowledge. Down here I've heard brief listings of car types. As far as what was in them, nope.
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charcharias I live in Chicago really close to the UP NW and have since I bought my house in 2009. At first there would be an infrequent, late night freight train but now it seems like there is at least one per night and sometimes two. They seem extremely heavy based on how the ground shakes. Anyone have any ideas for why there might be more freight traffic now or where it's going?
Your 6/11/13 posting indicated 1-2 frieght train nightly - what is the update?
Any idea where the freight trains are going?
EJE818 The MD-W is probably the busiest of the three I'd say. From Chicago to Bensenville is probably the busiest parts, with CP trains, as well as various transfers running to and from Bensenville Yard. I'd say the MD-W sees about 20-25 freight a day. Also, at Franklin Park the IHB joins up with the MD-W and that adds probably another 15-25 freight a day through there. West of Bensenville the main freight traffic are trains going to CP's IC&E mainline, which is probably about 2-8 a day, so it is far busier east of Bensenville. I'm not too familar with the other two lines. Also, about the scanner, I am not the best with scanners but some lines seem to have more activity on the scanner then others. I think it depends on the railroad.
IC&E serves the former line that used to run to Omaha, the MD-W also serves as a connection to the CP (former Milwaukee) Kansas City line. So CP Chicago to Kansas City trains use this line as well. As far as there only being 2-8 trains. I guess that is possible, most of the traffic could be comming via Mississippi River line from the Twin Cities it sounds rather low though.
AFAIK, the MD-West line is owned by Metra.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
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