After reading that little article a few years back about the DeKalb Best Western situated directly next to the busy Union Pacific main i decided to give it a try. And ive got to say it was pretty NEAT. I could barely sleep in other words, being woken up every few moments was a dream come true, although i did regret barely being able to hold my head above the steering wheel the next day. We saw nearly 50 trains from 10:30 the morning before to 7:00 the next morning. Downtown DeKalb is also one of the best locations ive ever been to. i mean seeing those coal trains roar through downtown at 60 is awesome and dont even get me started on those piggys. Whoever has been here knows what im talkin about. Give the Best Western and DeKalb a try, its a once in a lifetime experience.
Tyler Winkelman.
When my kid sister was a student at Northern Illinois University, the view of the tracks from her dorm room was fantastic. But then, the next year, she got a room on the opposite side of the building. (And I told her about it, too.)
I hear talk about extending Metra commuter service out to DeKalb.
The last time I was there, the old C&NW depot, a really interesting building, was still up. Definitely worth a look.
Back when I was an undergrad at NIU, watching the North Western speed through town was always an interesting diversion. The traffic was fairly heavy and the Kate Shelley was in its last year of operation. Usual motive power at that time was SD40’s and SD45’s with UP SD40’s and U30C’s as occasional run-through power. The SD40-2’s (6800’s) began to show up in my senior year.
The view of the tracks from the top rows of the Stadium wasn’t too bad either.
How Far is this form Chicago and where in DeKalb?
DeKalb is about Milepost 58 on the former CNW East-West main line. Easy trip via either Illinois 38 or the East-West Tollway (I-88). (Just a little harder via bike…done that.) Those are the same roads that lead to Rochelle from Chicagoland; Rochelle is at about Milepost 75.
Probably won’t need a hotel there, since I live too close, but the McDonald’s next to the Highway 38 grade crossing is an OK spot to stop for a meal. And, yes, as of late this summer the depot was still up, as is a concrete coaling tower east of town.
(Picking a nit while I’m on here…unit coal trains can’t exceed 50 m.p.h. on UP any more, but yes, the pig trains theoretically could go 70 through town.)
Metra service to DeKalb? Neat, logical, but probably only wishful thinking until Metra is expanded to cover DeKalb County. UP could probably use the third track it would require!
I did stop at that McDonalds and had a quick McChicken while watching a doublestack fly through. It is a pretty cool spot. Are you sure even the empties cant go 60. On the ex-Wisconsin Central now Canadian National main the empties can run 60 according to my dad who occasionaly runs them. i guess thats not the UP, they just looked like they were going a bit faster probably because of the shorter cars.
Tyler Winkelman.
No, Tyler, we’re stuck with 50, loaded or empty. New special instructions.
O. Alright. Is the speed limit for any intermodals 70 on the UP, not just the piggybacks.
Tyler Winkelman.
The speed limit through DeKalb is 70 for all freight trains, according to the timetable. But then, the Special Instructions start limiting certain types of equipment to lower speeds. All intermodal cars you’d commonly see (stack cars, spine cars, 89-foot pig flats) are allowed 70 mph (loaded or empty), as are mechanical reefers and auto racks. Things go downhill from there.
About the stay at the Best Western. I had a chance to stay there at the end of August when Rochelle was having thier big celebration. We only stayed one night, but let me tell you, it was the best night for train watching ever. We had a room on the east side closest to the tracks. We left the curtains open all night, moved any obstructons away from the window and watched trains. Those trains really move back there. We saw about 35 trains from 9pm to 6am. There might have been more that I slept through but I got my share. The best train I saw was 5 UP SD70M’s running light eastbound at speed! This is by far the best hotel closest to the tracks to watch trains that I have been to. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Dave
Manitowoc, WI
I don’t think Metra will ever get out to DeKalb in our LIfe time Because the County Wouldn’t shell out the Cash