railfanning Joliet

[dknelson]

I hope to be railfanning in Joliet (Illinois) this Friday -- can anyone provide a quick list of the necessary scanner frequencies? Thanks in advance.
Dave Nelson

[BearClaw18]

The frequencies are:
CN/IC: 160.280, 160.920
CSX: 160.230, 160.320, 160.290
IAIS: 160.305
Metra: 161.340
BNSF: 160.650, 160.830

[eolafan]

Dave, seems like you have already been helped with the scanner frequencies, but may I ask that you try and check out around the "J" yards as I understand they have many retired Amtrak F40PH units there as well as others and some ex-Metra/CNW bi-level cars also. I also heard they have an E8 that they use to switch the yard sometimes (yes, I know it sounds screwy but the guy who told me swears he actually saw it switching!). Thanks, Jim

[dknelson]

An E8 doing switching? Sounds like the sort of dream I have after a spicy Chinese food dinner.
Thanks for the help and advice guys -- now let's just hope the sun cooperates.
Dave Nelson

[eolafan]

Yep, my source swears he has seen an E8 switching at the "J" Joliet yards, ouch, my aching neck! Dave, I have noticed you say you sometimes hang around Eola yard railfanning, what kind of vehicle do you drive, I also have been there hundreds of times over twenty years and now drive a red Intrepid (soon to be replaced by a black 2004 Grand Prix).

[dknelson]

Hi James
I have not been to Eola for a couple of years since my current railfanning pals like to see fast through trains - hence Joliet. I cannot interest them in Eola for some reason.
When I am there I am in a Toyota Corolla wagon, blue paint Wisconsin plates. Since I am 6'8" tall you'll know me when you see me :) It would almost always be after a swap meet at DuPage.
Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

I am pleased to report that railfanning Joliet was very pleasant Friday. We were at the union depot and crossed the tracks (where indicated), walked all around, sat down and ate and nobody bothered us at all. The Joliet police maintain an office right in the depot
we were there from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm and saw about 59 train movements (Metra in and out counts as two movements). One can only be amazed at the almost clockword on-time performance of Metra.
Dave Nelson

[eolafan]

Dave, we will definetly be on the lookout for you, big guy! Oh, by the way, we have many fast through trains (if you think a stacker or Intermodal doing 40 plus mph is fast) coming through Eola yard all the time, also coal and manifest, not counting dozens of Metra trains and six Amtrak trains per day. Come on by Eola and we will welcome you any time. Jim

[dknelson]

well I was a little pressed for time this Sunday after the DuPage swap meet so I railfanned at the Naperville depot. A pity the foliage has grown so much around the Naperville curve -- some classic CB&Q photos have been taken there. But we saw our share of fast freights in about an hour. Maybe we'll get to Eola next time!
Dave Nelson

[eolafan]

Dave, I was at Naperville depot Saturday afternoon and the gates were malfunctioning and they had a flagman and signal maintainer crew at the crossing (just east of the depot). Funny thata the flagman kept belching into his hand held radio and I would see him do it and hear him on my scanner. The signal maintainers were having a heck of a time with the gate. Did you happen to notice how the gates there come up immedietly after a commuter train passes westbound and then activate again for a split second shortly after the westbound Metra leaves the depot for Aurora? Wonder what's up with that? Also, did you happen to see the two new Metra units that were going back and forth to Aurora the weekend before that on break in runs as trailing units behind F04's? Jim

[dknelson]

Jim I did not see the new Metra units but heard guys at DuPage talk about seeing them.
The gates seemed to be working Sunday but I was at the west end of the platform.
I have seen that same gate phenomenon at Hinsdale I think. Must be a circuitry issue?
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Elgin Joliet & Eastern Mainline Frequency is 160.350

[Anonymous]

The new Metra Units have been usually assigned to the Metra Rock Island District for the past few weeks. Metra usually tests their new units on this district because they own the RockISland trackage from Chicago to the end of the platform at Joliet-CSX doesthe switching during operating windows allowed by the Metra dispatcher. Iowa Interstate also runs during off-peak hours over the Metra trackage. Metra owns the Rock Island District and the Metra Electric districts-all others are owned by the freight railroads that Metra operate over-Naperville is on the BNSF ex-Burlington mainline. Joliet is also served by Metra Heritage corridor trains which run rush hour only weekdays and no weekend service-their trains usually come in on track 3-they occasionally get lucky enough to use the platform on Track 2.

[Anonymous]

The E8, f40's and Metra bilevels are in a former EJ&E locomotive shop and RIP track area that is no longer owned by the J. The E unit is painted for the Indiana railroad and it is usually kept inside the building when not in use.
Ron