BNSF Calendar curve

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hi Guys

Does any one know how to get to Calendar Curve on the BNSF line, just west of chicago? I have seen it in videos and I’d liketo see it in person . Thanks

2

Not sure what you are talking about but west of Chicago is Naperville where the CB&Q shot many famous old publicity pictures of the Zephyrs coming 'round the bend. Alas the landscape has changed enough that duplicating those pics is not possible – but it is still a neat place to watch trains. Easily found on any good road map. I think 88 gets you close, then head south.
Another famous curve, this time on the former Santa Fe, is well away from Chicago, just a bit west of Chillicothe Illinois. It is called Edelstein Hill (Edelstein being the next town west, if town is not too ambitious a word for the place) and the curve is called Houlihan’s Curve. The Steampowered Video book of maps of Illinois shows it quite plainly. Alas, railfans abused their privileges with litter and public urination and the homeowner – who tolerated railfans for decades – has fenced in the area where most of those great pics were taken.
Dave Nelson

3

[;)] Take interstate highway I88 west from its connection with I294, get off at Naperville Road - South, travel south until you get to Ogden Ave. (Illinois Rt. 34), turn right and travel until you get to Washington St. (you will see a sign on Ogden near there alterting you to the Amtrak/Metra station at Naperville), turn left onto southbound Washington and travel south until you see the RR underpass in the distance. Once you see the underpass, turn left at the light just before the underpass and travel until you come to a stop sign…turn right at the stop sign and you will be at the BNSF triple track mainline near the Naperville station. The curve you are (I believe) referencing is just east of the crossing you should be sitting at but it is not easily accessible by car and watch out for the BNSF and Naperville cops if you try and walk down the tracks, not to mention the REALLY fast trains that come up on you without too much warning coming around the curve. Hope t his helps!