RKFarms If you want a few places that are an easy drive from Chicago; Streator (former Santa Fe and NYC), Lasalle-Peru (former RI, CB&Q, IC, L&BC), and Mendota (former CB&Q & IC) are easy to get to. Lots of rail history and abandoned routes all around this area. Used to be lots of mining and industry, mostly rail served, now almost none.
If you want a few places that are an easy drive from Chicago; Streator (former Santa Fe and NYC), Lasalle-Peru (former RI, CB&Q, IC, L&BC), and Mendota (former CB&Q & IC) are easy to get to. Lots of rail history and abandoned routes all around this area. Used to be lots of mining and industry, mostly rail served, now almost none.
Lithonia OperatorThanks. I hope to be there in mid June. But if Covid does not allow, we're going to shot for fall, when the sailing season is over. I thought the bridge looked like it had oversized shoulders. Knowing myself, I'll wait for a traffic gap, jump out, shoot in front of my car, protected by it (like cops do). It looks like our trip will be: Fly to Philly; Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh, spend some time there. Fly to Chicago Midway. (AMTK made it too hard to take the Capitol; due at midnight, which sounds like actually 2-3 am.) Rent car, drive SW, spend a night each in Galesburg and a town (on UP) TBD. Back to Midway. Bus to Chicago, play tourist a few days. Cardinal roomette to White Sulfur Springs (NOT $taying at Greenbriar), spend 2 or 4 days in that area. Take Cardinal coach WSS to Wash. Wash to Philly on Corridor train. Fly back to Maine. Sleep for several days ... Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
It looks like our trip will be: Fly to Philly; Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh, spend some time there. Fly to Chicago Midway. (AMTK made it too hard to take the Capitol; due at midnight, which sounds like actually 2-3 am.) Rent car, drive SW, spend a night each in Galesburg and a town (on UP) TBD. Back to Midway. Bus to Chicago, play tourist a few days. Cardinal roomette to White Sulfur Springs (NOT $taying at Greenbriar), spend 2 or 4 days in that area. Take Cardinal coach WSS to Wash. Wash to Philly on Corridor train. Fly back to Maine. Sleep for several days ...
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
CSX does a much better job of getting the Capitol to Pittsburgh on time from Washington than does the NS getting it there from Chicagol
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
At a real remote crossing of Minnesota highway one, East of Ely in far northern Minnesota, I crosssed the CP main line, stopped at a little Tavern , got out of the truck, and wow, northbound Container train moving at a very high speed toward Canada. I cannot guess the speed, but it was far over 60 MPH. I wonder about deer, bear and moose on the tracks, do the engineers even feal a bump?
Wow. Thanks, Charlie. I had not discovered that that is possible.
Will do, for sure.
Take the L to the Loop from Midway.
ns145 Lithonia Operator ns145, is it actually legal to park on that bridge over the Galesburg yard? I looked at it with the Google Maps satellite view, and that looks fantastic! Lithonia: It has never been a problem when I have gone up there over the years. In fact, the shoulders on the bridge are a lane+ wide on both sides of the bridge. I believe the city knew how much of an attraction the bridge would become before it was built and had it designed accordingly. That said, you really need to be careful if you step out of your car. Thirwell Road is very busy and people tend to drive fast. The best idea is to pull off on one side or the other of the bridge and shoot photos out of passenger side window of your vehicle.
Lithonia Operator ns145, is it actually legal to park on that bridge over the Galesburg yard? I looked at it with the Google Maps satellite view, and that looks fantastic!
ns145, is it actually legal to park on that bridge over the Galesburg yard? I looked at it with the Google Maps satellite view, and that looks fantastic!
Lithonia:
It has never been a problem when I have gone up there over the years. In fact, the shoulders on the bridge are a lane+ wide on both sides of the bridge. I believe the city knew how much of an attraction the bridge would become before it was built and had it designed accordingly. That said, you really need to be careful if you step out of your car. Thirwell Road is very busy and people tend to drive fast. The best idea is to pull off on one side or the other of the bridge and shoot photos out of passenger side window of your vehicle.
Thanks. I hope to be there in mid June. But if Covid does not allow, we're going to shot for fall, when the sailing season is over. I thought the bridge looked like it had oversized shoulders. Knowing myself, I'll wait for a traffic gap, jump out, shoot in front of my car, protected by it (like cops do).
CSSHEGEWISCHIn the Northeast, most of the high walls that I saw (even on Interstates!) were protective measures due to the high voltage of the catenary on ex-PRR lines.
Or to preclude any perception of facilitated suicide.
One more reason we can't have, or do, nice things.
Lithonia Operator ns145, is it actually legal to park on that bridge over the Galesburg yard? I looked at it with the Google Maps satellite view, and that looks fantastic! In the Northeast, they would never allow that. In fact, they'd maybe even have high concrete walls so you can't gawk. IIRC, there's a bridge that goes over Selkirk Yard near Albany NY, and they made it so you can't see anything. But it's been a while, so I may be mixing it up with someplace else.
In the Northeast, they would never allow that. In fact, they'd maybe even have high concrete walls so you can't gawk.
IIRC, there's a bridge that goes over Selkirk Yard near Albany NY, and they made it so you can't see anything. But it's been a while, so I may be mixing it up with someplace else.
Lithonia OperatorIIRC, there's a bridge that goes over Selkirk Yard near Albany NY, and they made it so you can't see anything. But it's been a while, so I may be mixing it up with someplace else.
"Ben's Bridge". Torn down (and never replaced) several years ago.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Yes. I'm pretty sure the railyards are bigger than the "towns" in several of those places.
Blue River also has the River Safari, though we often block their crossing for long periods while trading off.
Tough to fit in a heliskiing trip and also get some rest on the layover. Better grab some extra coffee to wash down those muffins!
Blue River does have a nice new bunkhouse, CN bought an oilfield work camp at auction a few years ago and moved it there, they even put it on a permanent concrete foundation. Way better than the motel crews used to stay in, which in turn was far superior to the old bunkhouse.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70Dude Ash Fork can't be any worse than Blue River, Endako, Mirror, or Smith (look them up, if you can find them). The agreements outlining crew runs and terminals have probably been in place for many decades, and even if they were more recently superseded by long pools/extended runs the original agreements are most likely still in place as a fallback.
Ash Fork can't be any worse than Blue River, Endako, Mirror, or Smith (look them up, if you can find them).
The agreements outlining crew runs and terminals have probably been in place for many decades, and even if they were more recently superseded by long pools/extended runs the original agreements are most likely still in place as a fallback.
Ok, so let me make sure I have these locations correct:
Blue River, and Endako are in B.C.
Mirror, and Smith are in Alberta.
Out of all of them I'd say Blue River has an edge on Ash Fork. One.. We all know that nothing can beat Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing. Look at like this 70Dude after a long hard day in the left seat. You can go jump out a helicopter and hit the slopes of Amnesty Peak! Two.. You've got the Esso Station on Yellowhead Hwy. which probably has the best packaged blueberry muffins in all of British Columbia! If that's your thing..
All kidding aside though.. Yes I'd still give Blue River the edge over Ash Fork, and that helicopter skiing sounds like fun.
ns145 Lithonia Operator Ulrich Lithonia Operator Thanks, Ulrich. Were there any manifest trains? Yes, some manifest trains too as I recall..But not near as many as the intermodal. But either which many..very busy. I got there..parked my car near trackside and didn't have to wait more than ten minutes for the train parade to begin. Was sorry to leave but I had to catch a flight back. Thanks! Sounds great. If Covid has been beaten back enough by June, we're going to take the trip I described over in the Passenger forum and spend some time there, and also find some UP trains to photograph. Lithonia: The Iowa Interstate's Bureau-Peoria line also runs thru Chillicothe, IL. Traffic is light compared to BNSF, but includes some Rock Island heritage units and Norfolk Southern haulage rights trains. There is also a very nice restored Rock Island depot in Chillicothe. West of Chillicothe is the famous Edelstein Hill where the former AT&SF mainline climbs out of the Mississpippi River valley (so much for Illinois all being flat!). There's a lot of nice photo spots all the way up the grade to Edelstein, IL. IMHO, though, the best place to go see the Chillicothe Sub is Galesburg, IL. Galesburg is a massive BNSF terminal with ex-BN lines coming in from Chicago, Peoria, Paducah, St.Louis/Kansas City, Lincoln, and the Twin Cities. The Chillicothe Sub passes under the ex-BN trackage near downtown, with a double wye connection between the AT&SF and BN lines east of Cameron, IL and a flyover in Cameron, IL. There is bridge right over the middle of the yard that you can park on, with great views of the locomotive servicing facility and the switchers working the trim end of the yard. Amtrak trains from 3 different routes converge in Galesburg (Illinois Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and California Zephyr). The Southwest Chief uses the Cameron connection to get on/off the ex-AT&SF trackage west of Galesburg. In short, there's LOTS of stuff to see. I believe Virtual Railfan has a Galesburg camera now. Google it and take a look.
Lithonia Operator Ulrich Lithonia Operator Thanks, Ulrich. Were there any manifest trains? Yes, some manifest trains too as I recall..But not near as many as the intermodal. But either which many..very busy. I got there..parked my car near trackside and didn't have to wait more than ten minutes for the train parade to begin. Was sorry to leave but I had to catch a flight back. Thanks! Sounds great. If Covid has been beaten back enough by June, we're going to take the trip I described over in the Passenger forum and spend some time there, and also find some UP trains to photograph.
Ulrich Lithonia Operator Thanks, Ulrich. Were there any manifest trains? Yes, some manifest trains too as I recall..But not near as many as the intermodal. But either which many..very busy. I got there..parked my car near trackside and didn't have to wait more than ten minutes for the train parade to begin. Was sorry to leave but I had to catch a flight back.
Lithonia Operator Thanks, Ulrich. Were there any manifest trains?
Thanks, Ulrich.
Were there any manifest trains?
Yes, some manifest trains too as I recall..But not near as many as the intermodal. But either which many..very busy. I got there..parked my car near trackside and didn't have to wait more than ten minutes for the train parade to begin. Was sorry to leave but I had to catch a flight back.
Thanks! Sounds great.
If Covid has been beaten back enough by June, we're going to take the trip I described over in the Passenger forum and spend some time there, and also find some UP trains to photograph.
The Iowa Interstate's Bureau-Peoria line also runs thru Chillicothe, IL. Traffic is light compared to BNSF, but includes some Rock Island heritage units and Norfolk Southern haulage rights trains. There is also a very nice restored Rock Island depot in Chillicothe.
West of Chillicothe is the famous Edelstein Hill where the former AT&SF mainline climbs out of the Mississpippi River valley (so much for Illinois all being flat!). There's a lot of nice photo spots all the way up the grade to Edelstein, IL.
IMHO, though, the best place to go see the Chillicothe Sub is Galesburg, IL. Galesburg is a massive BNSF terminal with ex-BN lines coming in from Chicago, Peoria, Paducah, St.Louis/Kansas City, Lincoln, and the Twin Cities. The Chillicothe Sub passes under the ex-BN trackage near downtown, with a double wye connection between the AT&SF and BN lines east of Cameron, IL and a flyover in Cameron, IL. There is bridge right over the middle of the yard that you can park on, with great views of the locomotive servicing facility and the switchers working the trim end of the yard. Amtrak trains from 3 different routes converge in Galesburg (Illinois Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and California Zephyr). The Southwest Chief uses the Cameron connection to get on/off the ex-AT&SF trackage west of Galesburg.
In short, there's LOTS of stuff to see. I believe Virtual Railfan has a Galesburg camera now. Google it and take a look.
Thanks, man. That sounds great! We'll hit several spots. Covid-permitting, of course. This pandemic is not really close to being over, I fear.
SD60MAC9500Too many crews dying on the law coming off the Peavine. Prior to the change their pool was Phoenix to Winslow 300 miles. Now with Ashfork splitting the pool. East to Winslow. West to Phoenix. Crews are put up in Williams.
Thanks, and Williams is very good for accomodations and restaurants. They probably use the BestWestern located at the most westerly I-40 exit.
diningcar Ash Fork is not a great place to change crews. Poor Motels and eating establishments. But perhaps BNSF has found a way to make Ash Fork more desireable. I presume the unions signed off on this. Do you have infowhy the change?
Ash Fork is not a great place to change crews. Poor Motels and eating establishments. But perhaps BNSF has found a way to make Ash Fork more desireable. I presume the unions signed off on this. Do you have infowhy the change?
Too many crews dying on the law coming off the Peavine. Prior to the change their pool was Phoenix to Winslow 300 miles. Now with Ashfork splitting the pool. East to Winslow. West to Phoenix. Crews are put up in Williams.
Thanks, SD60MAC. If I'm out there, I'll be careful regarding the sand etc. I enjoyed the video.
diningcar SD60MAC, there are locations between the sites you mention where the two tracks have been separated to aleviate the grade issues about which you allude. And the recently built flyover at Truxton, AZ allows trains to change tracks for a favorable grade without the need to utilize 50 MPH switch crossovers, some of which have been in place for 60 years to address grade and passenger train issues.
SD60MAC, there are locations between the sites you mention where the two tracks have been separated to aleviate the grade issues about which you allude. And the recently built flyover at Truxton, AZ allows trains to change tracks for a favorable grade without the need to utilize 50 MPH switch crossovers, some of which have been in place for 60 years to address grade and passenger train issues.
Indeed there have been and will continue to be, but there's still grades in excess of 1% both East and Westbound. Then you have the Arizona Divide, Cajon Pass, etc. BNSF can not operate a 70MPH railroad across the territory with a low HP/T ratio that has become prevelant in todays railroading.
P.S. Diningcar Not sure if you knew this or not Ashfork is a crew change point again.
Lithonia Operator you might enjoy this video and learn a lesson as well toward the end of it when railfanning in the desert. Enjoy!
Same here..once this covid stuff is behind us I might just head back there myself.. this time with no time limitation. Sure seemed like a nice area..likely alot of other stuff to see as well.
Lithonia Operator Ulrich BNSF Chillicothe sub (not quite out west but getting there).. whoa! Hold on to your hat and stand well back.. Im now considering a trip to Chicago in June, and want to rent a car and go see some of that action If you have some suggestions for train-watching spots, I'd love to hear them. Also, any notable RR buildings and infrastructure worth seeing along the entire sub. Or just unique settings the route might pass through, even if something prevents a good photo there. Thanks in advance.
Ulrich BNSF Chillicothe sub (not quite out west but getting there).. whoa! Hold on to your hat and stand well back..
BNSF Chillicothe sub (not quite out west but getting there).. whoa! Hold on to your hat and stand well back..
Im now considering a trip to Chicago in June, and want to rent a car and go see some of that action
If you have some suggestions for train-watching spots, I'd love to hear them. Also, any notable RR buildings and infrastructure worth seeing along the entire sub. Or just unique settings the route might pass through, even if something prevents a good photo there.
Thanks in advance.
Chillicothe, IL.. I went to Peoria, IL back in the fall of 2014 for a couple of days on business. Rented a car and drove up to Chillicothe in the evening.. very busy with lots of very fast intermodal and TOFC trains. Volumes have only gone up since then, so I doubt you'd be disappointed. As for other sites, I can't really say.. I was only in the area for a couple of days.. in and out.. meetings, plant tour, and one evening to myself and then back home.
Don't forget Rochelle - it's only about an hour and a half west of Chicago.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Lithonia Operator Im now considering a trip to Chicago in June, and want to rent a car and go see some of that action If you have some suggestions for train-watching spots, I'd love to hear them. Also, any notable RR buildings and infrastructure worth seeing along the entire sub. Or just unique settings the route might pass through, even if something prevents a good photo there. Thanks in advance.
Check out VRF's Fort Madison, IA webcam. They don't go through there very fast, but the action's almost non-stop. Also very picturesque.
EDIT: Although almost exclusively BNSF, you'll also see a few trackage-rights UP trains go through there, as well as numerous examples of borrowed power.
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
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