I have a question… (Oh, Hi everyone, I am back… sorry I was gone for so long.)
How busy is the BNSF mainline that comes out of, I believe, Corwith Yard, and/or the Willowbrook UPS facility, and heads through Joliet? I found a nice spot in the DesPlaines Fish and Wildlife Preserve down in Wilmington to shoot photos, but I was wondering how busy the line is. I shot the following there last fall, and I have made a couple of trips since, only to be disappointed. Also, what frequency does the BNSF use on that line?
That is a great shot. I would question your comment about 75mph, but that certainly is a minor point!
that is a busy mainline, probably 50 or so trains daily, perhaps more. A couple of months ago someone did a 24 hour train count a little west of there and was coming up with about 70 in a 24 hour time.
Yeah, I’ll second MP173 – it IS a busy line, especially if you shoot from Downtown Lemont.
When they closed River Road in Lemont under the highway bridge to build that huge yuppyville condo building I lost one of my favorite spots on that route – just SW of where the old Santa Fe station was. The WB trains came off the old swing bridge onto that curve and the tracks were just about eye level. I hope they reopen it after construction is finished.
Nice to have ya back, BTW. I was wondering where you went. Even Crazy Delmar came back.
Another great spot is in Lockport under the route 7 bridge. Trains from the north are visible for a mile before reaching it and there is a grade crossing with gates to tell you of trains coming around the curve from the south. In the meantime you are sitting in your car in the shade of the bridge!
Okay, I’ll admit, I probably exaggerated, but that train came on faster than any train, (Save an Amtrak on the Chicago-to-Aurora man) that I have seen… I saw the headlight, and it seemed like in no time flat there it was. And the sound… wow… it was loud…
I am not too far from the Route 7 bridge in Lockport, so I will have to check that out.
I do 24 hour counts on the line very often around Toluca IL and I have gotten anywhere between 40 or so on a monday to around 65 later in the week. Go a little bit farther west to Edelstien where some extra UP trains join the line and you’ll catch about 5 more per day.
Yes thats the transcon. yes mostly z, s and q trains. However there are quite a few m trains rolling both ways. I like the Chilli sub its a fun ride If I am lucky enough to get a good train that is. Lets say like the Zdenchi, or a Portland Blue vehicle train. I caught a rail trian out of Chilli and had to do 35 the whole way to Corwith.Talk about horrible!
But all in all more traffic there than on the Mendota side. If you go to Joliet Station youll also get UP Iowa Interstate and Metra.
Thanks, Poppa. I had to take some time off of the board here… not only that, I lost my job, and internet access for a little bit. But, now that I am back, it seems that not alot has changed, in some ways. (I think you know what I mean)
But, I’ll be back a little more often, I think. I also changed my photgraphy page in my signature… I like that site alot better.