I added Elmhurst to my growing list of Chicagoland train watching sites yesterday. Like LaGrange, it is a good spot to spend a day. One of the best aspects was the fact that there is a Fontano’s deli just across the street from the station that allows you to grab a snack and drink without leaving sight of the tracks. Also, like LaGrange, there is a bodacious bakery that will also supply you with good eats and coffee!
The train action was somewhat spotty. Of course, you have plenty of Metra to look at but the freight action seemed to drop off between about 9AM to around 2PM. I had to catch a dinky back into the city at 3:15PM, so I may have missed the parade. But still, it was a good day and I recommend Elmhusrt to anyone wanting to see some trains in the Chicago 'burbs.
One question for anyone familiar with the UP West line. While in Elmhurst, I saw several freights headed toward Proviso Yard. I assumed that was their final destination and was a little surprised to see some of them parked at the area around Oak Park and points east of Proviso. What would be the most likely destination of these trains? I remember seeing what looked liked some small yards at the Western Ave. area but they didn’t seem to have much capacity or any switch engines sitting around.
Some of the freights seen east of Proviso are running through to either CSX or NS. They will swing south on the former PRR Panhandle line and former Chicago River & Indiana to get to Eastern connections or terminate at Canal Street. By the way, on MILW and BN they’re called dinkies, on C&NW they’re called scoots.
What makes Elmhurst one of the top Chicago hot spots is Fontano’s proximity. While we may see slightly more action at Eola Yard, there is no decent food or drink available nearby.
Fontano’s has THE BEST authentic Italian subs in the Midwest. It began when the owner of Fontano’s corner grocery in Chicago’s Taylor Street (Little Italy) neighborhood started assembling sandwiches for U of I professors at his deli counter at their request.
My fave is “The Big Al” which usta be known as “The Mafia” sub before Fontano’s began building stores in the more PC suburban areas. Mortadella, Cotto Salami, Provolone, Genoa Salami plus giardinera, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on fresh-baked long Italian bread. Or any sandwich that includes Prosciutto and Cappicola. Mmmm.
There is also a Fontano’s Subs within a short walk of the Hinsdale train station on the BNSF Chicago Racetrack.
I most assuredly haven’t forgotten about the other Illinois hotspots. Have been to Rochelle and would like to see Galesburg and Streator in the near future. Another spot not too far away would be Danville. The great thing about going to Chicago is riding on Megabus. If you book your trip 45 days in advance, the entire round trip is only one dollar!! Thats about one third of a gallon of gas!
They do have some terrific eats. I got the Italian Beef on the advice of the local guy in line in front of me, I wasn’t disappointed. There is also a place called Egg Harbor that does a very good breakfast. To get to it you go down the main street at the east end of the platform and take the first street to the right and its on the corner of a shopping center. Very friendly folks.
Paul, that’s our (UP, ex-CNW) line that runs to the south, at least as far as Global 1. The Panhandle is, or was, parallel to it, and went east to Union Station from the area of the wye at Western Avenue. A lot of the trains you see east of Proviso are stack trains for Global 1; others could be for CSX and NS intermodal terminals down that way.
PZ, Fontano’s is great, and it’s far from the only good place around there (Pat’s going to another Egg Harbor for Mother’s Day tomorrow). I used to be a regular frequenter of Fontano’s when I was working afternoons, but don’t get in there when I have to be at work by 0630. But if you (or anyone) goes in there for weekday lunch, and encounter Vicki or Kim, tell 'em that Carl says hi, and the grandkids are doing fine.
P.S. No offense to Vicki and Kim, but their sandwiches taste at least as good trackside as they do inside.
An even later postscript: Pat and I stopped in for ourselves today, and they were glad to see us. I’m thinking about printing this out if I can, just to let them see an aspect of their clientele that they may not have considered.
