Does anyone know any good spots on the old J route?? ive got one in downtown plainfield and were else good? please reply to them with a google maps link… NOTE: they should be in the Chicago area with active train traffic… I know about the bug line and what not includeing Gaylord…
I just got done talkin’ to Barney, and he don’t have no links.
But if you want to check out West Chicago, just put in the whole city. I think you’ll be able to deduce the hot spot on your own. (I assume that “busy” is what you mean by “good”.)
Thanks… Do you the spot in Downtown Plain Field??
No; haven’t gone to Plainfield for train-watching. The reason I mentioned West Chicago is because you might find a UP train or two to keep you occupied while waiting for the CN.
Yes I was in W Chicago last month. I saw only 1 CNRR but the UPRR kept me more then occupied [:)]
Traffic on the EJ&E, while heavier than it used to be, is still relatively light compared to other roads. As mentioned above, a junction or crossing with another road would be a better location than just along the main.
Griffith, In is where the CN lines radiate in 4 directions and the old EJE crosses the CN.
More and more CN trains are using Kirk Yard as a terminal now, including trains making the turn east at Griffith (CN332 for one) around early afternoon. Not sure about others.
Ed
Yes, Griffith is busy, and accessible. Used to love that place when there was a variety of railroads there, but haven’t been back since operations were combined (I think they were building the new connection yet when I took CopCarSS there).
I caught eb & wb CN trains swapping crews at Jefferson St on the east side of Joliet around noon; but that was a year ago. I got shots from the cemetery on the east side of the tracks. This is about a mile east of the Amtrak/Metra station.
Barrington doesn’t seem to have any good locations near the Metra station; and the few UP freight trains are erratic. Public streets are not close to the crossing; and the Barrington area is suspicious of “strange” behavior. It’s been suggested to railfans generally to go to the local police station first to identify yourself and where you’ll be taking pictures in case neighbors start calling in. If they don’t like it; they’ll like it a lot less responding to a call. Best to move on.
I haven’t been back to Lake Zurich in seven years where there was a quaint wood station near public streets.
Spaulding isn’t very remarkable but very “railroady” with the interchange and switching at local customers and access from public roads.