Are there "Quiet Times" at Rochelle, IL?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

A recent thread about Fostoria, OH, reminds me that some famous diamonds have quiet times of day or day of week.

What about Rochelle? Are there times that the observer is less likely to see a lot of movement? The lady at the gift shop at the Rochelle tells me that rail-fans told her that Tuesday is a slow day, but since that’s double-hearsay I thought I’d start this thread for the more experienced to expound.

Are there any particular times of day or day of week that Rochelle has proved to be less-than-enthralling for you?

2

I’d say that you could go with the gift shop–they’re closed on Monday and Tuesday, because, presumably, those are the days when they’d be missed the least.

Another hint: Proviso’s hump is shut down for maintenance every week for one shift. Guess when–Tuesday!

Logically, that stands up. Industries that load trailers and freight cars probably do a lot less of it on weekends. So the local freights and industry jobs bring fewer cars into the yards on Saturday and Sunday–and the trains departing on Sunday and Monday are smaller–or fewer. Around Tuesday the midwest is probably feeling the effects of the weekends on both coasts.

Of course, “lighter” is a relative term when it comes to traffic out there. You might see 70 or 80 trains through there per day instead of 100.

It’s been my experience that Rochelle virtually dries up the moment I arrive!

3

Yes, sometimes I think Rochelle is incredibly busy and I see the last train or two at the crossings before I enter the park – and wait!

I certainly think your analysis makes perfect sense. Thank you for contributing.

4

I once witnessed a “forced” quiet period, when a BNSF stack train had to stop for a red signal after crossing the interlocking, leaving about two or three units blocking it. After about 20 minutes, they managed to correct the problem with the signal and move their “tail”, immediately after which two UP trains hit the diamonds simultaneously from both directions. I’ve got 35 mm shots of it all- one of these days I’ll dig them up, scan and post them if anyone’s interested.

5

Love to see 'em!

6

I’m heading out to Rochelle tomorrow from about 10:30 to 4:00, maybe even longer! It should be really busy! [:)] Then after Rochelle, were heading up to DeKalb to stay the night. The hotel window looks out at the UP Tracks! [:)] It’s what I’ve always wanted, a place to sleep where you hear trains all night. [;)] lol Take care everyone. Nick

7

Heaven for railfans! Wish I could be there!

allen

8

To be put simply NO! [8D]

9

I dont know about UP but usually BNSF’s quiet times are in the late morning.The busiest time is usually towards the afternoon,about 3 pm to 6 pm.

BNSF’s busiest day is always friday.

10

I found out that Tuesday is the worst day for railfanning.
I was on the BNSF’s Staples Subdivision where they usually run 7-10 unit coal trains a day. I went out there 3 Tuesdays in a row, and they only ran 7 trains COMBINED!
As for Rochelle, its always slow for me.

11

I’m not sure, but believe BNSF has an intermodal scheduled to leave Aurora around 11:00 a.m. But depending on its actual departure time, it can pass thru Rochelle between about 1:00 and 2:30 p.m.

And yes, after that, the line gets pretty consistently busy.

12

In my opinion every day is a different day. So to even take a stab at what is slow is really a fruitless effort. You can ASSUME Tuesday maybe slow because of the Sunday only 2 days before a Tuesday. When I was at Rochelle on a Friday between 10AM & 2PM I saw 10 trains 8 UPRRs & 2 BNSFers. As a example when I got to Ft. Madison to watch the BNSF transcon I only saw 4 trains in 4 hours. At Dolton I saw 23 trains in 4 hours. I was once at Daggett CA & between 10AM & 3PM NOTHING. Then the parade started & by the time 6PM rolled around I had seen maybe 20/25 trains in that 4 hour time span. [:o)][:p][:)]

[quote]
Originally posted by smalling_60626
[

13

Managed to find the last shot I took re my previous post…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85729295@N00/31064515/

14

Dear Readers: Here’s a bit of doggerel I struggled through Wednesday night.
It’s aimed at all of us who land at the Rochelle, IL shelter during a train drought.
(Or when the UP is incredibly busy but BNSF is nonexistent.)
It’s to the tune of that 1950s hit, “Mr. Sandman (Send Me a Dream).”
If anyone should actually want to sing it, you have my permission for one-time
non-commercial use.
Do you think I should dedicate it to Michael Rose?

“Mr. Burling, Send Me a Train”

Mr. Burling, send me a train,
I’m all alone out here in the rain;
Send what you want to, I’m not picky –
Manifest or double-stacks or TOFC.

Mr. Burling, Rochelle is my choice,
Plenty of UP’s with growls in their voice;
But I’ve been waiting, near half a day
No crossbucks, no warbonnets – and no Santa Fe!

Up in the shelter, my scanner is on,
And if I have to, I’ll wait here ‘til dawn;
Fort Worth is modern, I’m sure they do fine,
But how can it pay if nothing’s on the line?

Mr. Burling, who’ll see your swoosh,
If nothing’s out here to hump or to push?
So please send diesels o’er the plain,
Mr. Burling, send me a train!

Song parody copyright © August 3, 2005, Allen Smalling,
Chicago, Illinois 60626 -USA- smalling_60626@yahoo.com.
The moral right of the author is asserted.

15

Not bad. I need to remember that for next time I’m out there.

16

I know this may be hard to believe, but this morning around 8:00, the BNSF was busier than the UP at Rochelle. We even saw a CSX Grain Train on the BNSF. But then the BNSF slowed down and UP really picked up. I was there yesterday from about Noon until 8:00. I’d saw we saw about 50 trains, maybe even more. Then this morning, we were there from about 8:00 - 1:00. 25 trains today maybe, but that could be more also. We had a lot of fun! [:)]

17

I wish I lived closer…

//jealous

18

actally there is a quiet time its usally weekdays around noon and in the afternoon due to metra.

kevin

19

Makes sense to me!

20

jimitrain mentioned a csx trail… what " other " roads get to go thru there…peter