Hi,
im looking for spots in Chicago Metra lines that would be interesting for a single town layout.
Are there any interesting freight/Metra towns?
I thought Joliet Union Station was interesting, where the ex-Rock Island Metra line crosses the ex-Santa Fe and ex-Alton lines. Now just 4 diamonds, but used to be 16 diamonds.
Kensington is an interesting location. The South Shore diverges from the Electric District line and crosses the former IC main lines. The Electric District also goes from four tracks to two just north of the station.
I would suggest, if you’re looking for an urban site with a commuter line and one or more freight lines, consider LaGrange. You could run almost anything on the IHB (lower level), and BNSF and Metra on the main level.
How much traffic does the la grange yard see?
There’s a yard in LaGrange Park on the IHB, and there’s the Congress Park yard (east of LaGrange) on BNSF. I haven’t paid too much attention to them, but they’re mostly for local traffic, which–as is the case everywhere–isn’t what it used to be.
There are interchange connections in two of the quadrants between IHB and BNSF. Again, not used like they once were. I think BNSF trains from the west go further in now, and use the BRC to get to Clearing.