Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.
1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like?
2: Is ther good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk?
3: Are cops a big problem there?
Thanks!
I'm a fairly regular visitor to Blue Island Junction (at Broadway) so I think I can answer some of these questions.
1. The neighborhood may be considered lower class but is not dangerous.
2. I have always parked on the street near the grade crossing. DO NOT PARK in the gravel area north of Broadway just east of the tracks. It is CSX property and the special agents will talk to you about it.
3. I always take my pictures from the sidewalk area of the grade crossing to just a few feet off of the walk. I have never been bothered by either Blue Island police or CSX special agents.
Glen Ellyn wrote: Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like? From my experience not all that bad during the day but be extra special careful after sunset...better yet, stay away after dark...not a good neighborhood near the tower at all.2: Is there good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk? Good parking right near the junction, that would be near the NE corner on public property.3: Are cops a big problem there? Not really, but hey know the good guys from the bad guys and so if you are one of the former you should not have much of a problem at all. This is a really busy junction and although I don't get there much any more I highly recommend it to everybody.Thanks!
1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like? From my experience not all that bad during the day but be extra special careful after sunset...better yet, stay away after dark...not a good neighborhood near the tower at all.
2: Is there good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk? Good parking right near the junction, that would be near the NE corner on public property.
3: Are cops a big problem there? Not really, but hey know the good guys from the bad guys and so if you are one of the former you should not have much of a problem at all. This is a really busy junction and although I don't get there much any more I highly recommend it to everybody.
Ok. So I plan to go their in the morning, maybe get their at 9 or 10 and spend until 12 or 1 their. That should be fine right?
Thanks for the answered everyone!
Hiya I will be coming from Ohio in Sept on my way to Rochelle. What are the nearest cross streets for Blue Island so that I can Mapquest as I would like to snag a look it on my way thru Chicago?
Glen Ellyn wrote: Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like?2: Is ther good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk?3: Are cops a big problem there?Thanks!
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Western Ave is the nearest major north-south street (about 1/2 mile east of the Junction) and either Vermont Street or Broadway are east-west streets (Broadway goes right through the Junction).
Thanks is that North or Southside so I can get the directions from Mapquest?
NEVER MIND I found it. Thanks again.
Now another question how would you get from Blue Island to Brighton Park?
CSSHEGEWISCH wrote: Western Ave is the nearest major north-south street (about 1/2 mile east of the Junction) and either Vermont Street or Broadway are east-west streets (Broadway goes right through the Junction).
What city is Eola yard in & where is the best place to watch from?
eolafan wrote: Glen Ellyn wrote: Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like? From my experience not all that bad during the day but be extra special careful after sunset...better yet, stay away after dark...not a good neighborhood near the tower at all.2: Is there good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk? Good parking right near the junction, that would be near the NE corner on public property.3: Are cops a big problem there? Not really, but hey know the good guys from the bad guys and so if you are one of the former you should not have much of a problem at all. This is a really busy junction and although I don't get there much any more I highly recommend it to everybody.Thanks!
spbed wrote: What city is Eola yard in & where is the best place to watch from? eolafan wrote: Glen Ellyn wrote: Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like? From my experience not all that bad during the day but be extra special careful after sunset...better yet, stay away after dark...not a good neighborhood near the tower at all.2: Is there good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk? Good parking right near the junction, that would be near the NE corner on public property.3: Are cops a big problem there? Not really, but hey know the good guys from the bad guys and so if you are one of the former you should not have much of a problem at all. This is a really busy junction and although I don't get there much any more I highly recommend it to everybody.Thanks!
FORGET WHAT I SAID, KEEP ON DRIVING ALL THE WAY TO ROCHELLE AND DON'T STOP HERE.
Sure it helps a ton to be able to get info from somebody that is there all the time. I already printed it. Thank you very much for your assistance. Maybe I will bump into you there before proceeding to Rochelle.
eolafan wrote: spbed wrote: What city is Eola yard in & where is the best place to watch from? eolafan wrote: Glen Ellyn wrote: Hi everybody. This summer I was planning on taking my first trip to Blue Island. I have a few questions about it first though.1: What is the neighborhood by the junction like? From my experience not all that bad during the day but be extra special careful after sunset...better yet, stay away after dark...not a good neighborhood near the tower at all.2: Is there good parking right next to the junction, or do I need to walk from the station. If I do need to walk, how far is the walk? Good parking right near the junction, that would be near the NE corner on public property.3: Are cops a big problem there? Not really, but hey know the good guys from the bad guys and so if you are one of the former you should not have much of a problem at all. This is a really busy junction and although I don't get there much any more I highly recommend it to everybody.Thanks! Eola yard is basically in Aurora (there is a small town called Eola which is surrounded by Aurora and Naperville on the far East side of the yard, but I digress) and best place is the intersection of McClure and the BNSF main line. This is on the far west side of the yard and I suggest the Southeast corner of the intersection of McClure and the tracks where you will find a road that goes east from McClure into the yard and right off McClure you will find a dirt spot big enough for about twenty cars (which is what we get on some weekends) and you will find it good for watching both mainline and switching moves from there. The parking I mention is right across from the Eola Yard offices of BNSF, where you will also be able to see the engine "pit" or "house" as the crews call it, right behind the offices and you can see it from McClure. Hope this helps.
Eola yard is basically in Aurora (there is a small town called Eola which is surrounded by Aurora and Naperville on the far East side of the yard, but I digress) and best place is the intersection of McClure and the BNSF main line. This is on the far west side of the yard and I suggest the Southeast corner of the intersection of McClure and the tracks where you will find a road that goes east from McClure into the yard and right off McClure you will find a dirt spot big enough for about twenty cars (which is what we get on some weekends) and you will find it good for watching both mainline and switching moves from there. The parking I mention is right across from the Eola Yard offices of BNSF, where you will also be able to see the engine "pit" or "house" as the crews call it, right behind the offices and you can see it from McClure. Hope this helps.
This post has been deleted to protect the innocent, namely me.
OK do not know yet what car I am taking yet but if U see a car with Texas plates I would suspect that would be me.
eolafan wrote:Spbed, if you happen to see a black Ford Five Hundred while at Eola, stop over and say hello, it will most likely be me.
One can go from Blue Island to Brighton Park by simply going north on Western Avenue about 80 - 90 blocks. At certain times of the day, that will be quicker than taking the expressway.
Better hurry for Brighton Park. Going, going....
ed
MP173 wrote:One can go from Blue Island to Brighton Park by simply going north on Western Avenue about 80 - 90 blocks. At certain times of the day, that will be quicker than taking the expressway.Better hurry for Brighton Park. Going, going.... ed
Ok, but what is wrong with the highway? 89-90 blocks seems long. Please tell me that they are not city blocks!!!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Glen Ellyn wrote:Well this happens on everything I post. I asked about how you get to the dead engine yard in Homewood, and the second post is about Paris Hilton!!! Of all the things, why that skank? So stop changing the subject of the forum topic.
Andrew, clearly you are on edge and did not REALLY read the post in which I mention Paris Hilton but did NOT really change the subject. I recommended that (essentially) one NOT violate railroad property and END UP LIKE PARIS HILTON...I.E. IN JAIL...that was the intent but it is obvious you did not get it. By the way Andrew, if you want everybody to limit their responses to just the subjects you feel are directly related, you had better chose another forum because it has been proved over and over again that those of us who frequent this form can (and do) go astray once in a while...LIKE IT OR NOT. Having said all of that, I think I will refrain from involvement in any of your posting threads so as not to give you any unnecessary cause for hypertension (or whatever other disease my responses might cause or aggravate in you).
eolafan wrote: Glen Ellyn wrote:Well this happens on everything I post. I asked about how you get to the dead engine yard in Homewood, and the second post is about Paris Hilton!!! Of all the things, why that skank? So stop changing the subject of the forum topic.Andrew, clearly you are on edge and did not REALLY read the post in which I mention Paris Hilton but did NOT really change the subject. I recommended that (essentially) one NOT violate railroad property and END UP LIKE PARIS HILTON...I.E. IN JAIL...that was the intent but it is obvious you did not get it. By the way Andrew, if you want everybody to limit their responses to just the subjects you feel are directly related, you had better chose another forum because it has been proved over and over again that those of us who frequent this form can (and do) go astray once in a while...LIKE IT OR NOT. Having said all of that, I think I will refrain from involvement in any of your posting threads so as not to give you any unnecessary cause for hypertension (or whatever other disease my responses might cause or aggravate in you).
Jim, I stopped trying to respond to this youngster after he threw a hissy fit over some website not accepting his train pics. He came here and asked for honest opinions about those pics, which he received from several professional photogs, self included.
Fit No.2 came when he couldn't take the constructive criticism he received, which also included some terrific advice.
PZ
Andrew:Yes, the blocks are 8 to a mile, thus the distance would be about 10 miles. It will take about 30 minutes.
Dan Ryan would easily take you that long with the construction issues.
BTW, this is a dialog, not a monolog, thus we will drift from time to time. Dont worry too much about it. Where else will you get the kind of in-depth information you need?
OK thanks do you know the cross streets where Brighton Park is located so I can put it in the cross hairs of Mapquest?
MP173 wrote: One can go from Blue Island to Brighton Park by simply going north on Western Avenue about 80 - 90 blocks. At certain times of the day, that will be quicker than taking the expressway.Better hurry for Brighton Park. Going, going.... ed
spbed wrote: OK thanks do you know the cross streets where Brighton Park is located so I can put it in the cross hairs of Mapquest?
The closest main intersection is Archer and Western. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.826515,-87.686327&spn=0.007131,0.014462&t=h&z=16&om=1
This website should help you out quite a bit. http://www.dhke.com/CRJ/
Thank you very much for your assistance. The 2nd site was really terrific.
Coming from NY we figured like 6/8 city blocks to a mile & as you have to go about 100 blocks or so I would guess between 5/10 miles between each juncture.
Ah yes I also saved the link for future use. Depending on time I may also try to get to Dolton for a bit & see if anything has changed from my visit several years ago
Thanks 1 more time!
cnw8835 wrote: spbed wrote: OK thanks do you know the cross streets where Brighton Park is located so I can put it in the cross hairs of Mapquest? The closest main intersection is Archer and Western. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.826515,-87.686327&spn=0.007131,0.014462&t=h&z=16&om=1This website should help you out quite a bit. http://www.dhke.com/CRJ/
The map says that Brighton Park is like at 25th street & Blue Island is at 125th street thus the 100 city block reference
Glen Ellyn wrote: MP173 wrote: One can go from Blue Island to Brighton Park by simply going north on Western Avenue about 80 - 90 blocks. At certain times of the day, that will be quicker than taking the expressway.Better hurry for Brighton Park. Going, going.... edOk, but what is wrong with the highway? 89-90 blocks seems long. Please tell me that they are not city blocks!!!
chad thomas wrote: eolafan wrote: Glen Ellyn wrote:Well this happens on everything I post. I asked about how you get to the dead engine yard in Homewood, and the second post is about Paris Hilton!!! Of all the things, why that skank? So stop changing the subject of the forum topic.Andrew, clearly you are on edge and did not REALLY read the post in which I mention Paris Hilton but did NOT really change the subject. I recommended that (essentially) one NOT violate railroad property and END UP LIKE PARIS HILTON...I.E. IN JAIL...that was the intent but it is obvious you did not get it. By the way Andrew, if you want everybody to limit their responses to just the subjects you feel are directly related, you had better chose another forum because it has been proved over and over again that those of us who frequent this form can (and do) go astray once in a while...LIKE IT OR NOT. Having said all of that, I think I will refrain from involvement in any of your posting threads so as not to give you any unnecessary cause for hypertension (or whatever other disease my responses might cause or aggravate in you).
Thanks, less people to switch the subject. I truely appreciate that. Thank you.
For some reason I can't seem to remember the name of the Holiday dessert with all those brighly colored bits and pieces buried within the cake...oh yes, FRUITCAKE, that's it!
eolafan wrote:For some reason I can't seem to remember the name of the Holiday dessert with all those brighly colored bits and pieces buried within the cake...oh yes, FRUITCAKE, that's it!
That isn't for a few months yet. Besides, you said you weren't going to have anything to do with my posts. Way to keep your promise.
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