Next weekend (Friday 9/8-9) I’ll be heading down into the Dixon, IL area, mostly for railfanning, but I’ll also be attending a friend’s wedding. [;)] While I do have DeLorme and SPV atlases, the one thing that I don’t have are radio frequencies for the area. Also, since I’m relatively unfamiliar with the area, is there anything railroad-y (or even non-railroad-y but interesting) I should keep an eye out for? I do plan on stopping in Janesville and following the ICE south on the way down, what other stuff is can’t-miss?
The Rock River runs through Dixon and there are some grades and some curves on the UP. I’m not very familiar with the Dixon area proper, so other ideas: The IL Railroad Museum in Union, Rochelle, Oregon, IL and if you have the extra time I would suggest driving on Route 38 (Lincoln Highway) anywhere between Dixon and W. Chicago, IL. Rt. 38/Lincoln Hwy roughly parallels the UP Geneva Sub.
Regarding my suggestion to drive Rte 38 (the historic Lincoln Hwy) that parallels the UP main I received an interesting email asking if Rte 30 was Lincoln Hwy. Well, it’s both. In the Fox Valley area (Aurora - Geneva) of Illinois the Lincoln Hwy (original route) follows Rte 30 west into Aurora, then turns north onto Rte 31 into Geneva and west again on Rte 38 to Dixon. There are road Lincoln Hwy signs/markers next to the road at several locations/towns. (Just a quick FYI… The Lincoln Hwy was the first transcon road in this country.) Please check the following link for more info (the PDF that shows the road map and principal railroads from 1924 is very good):
Highways can easily be renumbered. What is now Illinois 38 used to be “Alt. U.S. 30”.
Actually, the Lincoln Highway didn’t stick to 38 the entire distance–it cut south of Elburn and LaFox, headed east; joining the current highway in Geneva west of the river.
Mark, As far as frequiencies, I know the Illinois Railnet operates on 161.355 and 161.050, although I’m not sure which is used for which line or anything. Not an easy outfit to catch at work though, the few times I’ve seen them they are always parked…
Also, the BNSF frequency for the main from Savana to Chicagoland should be 161.160. Usually fairly busy, and there are some decent photo locations on the line from the exporation I’ve done (which was more on the western end of the line though, but I did go all the way to Rochelle with it)
There usually is an Illinois Railnet evening local that brings cars to the yard at Eola up the line from Ottawa through Yorkville and Oswego , approximate time of arrival at Eola is 8:15-ish.
Good spots along the C&I line I’ve found are in Big Rock at Rhodes Avenue crossing, south of tracks on east side. There’s a parking lot there that’s OK and in the afternoon you’ll get good lighting on westbounds sweeping around a big curve. There’s also a defect detector (MP43.3, I think) east of there in Sugar Grove that will let you know they’re coming. Never have shot in Hinckley, but Waterman downtown has some decent locations. Same in Stewart, where there is a historic depot.
West of Rochelle – good ops in Milledgeville with interesting buildings as backdrops on north side of tracks. In Oregon they’re restoring the old depot. Along that line between Rochelle and Savanna there are several old wooden bridges crossing over the track in rural areas.
Well, the Chicago-area media refers to anything outside the 12-county “collar” area as “Downstate.” I remember reading in one of the papers up here that UP was building a Global III yard in “Downstate Rochelle.” Go figure.
I’m on the same page as you, O Crazy One & Only. I would say that anything south of I-80 to me is “Downstate.” But not Rochelle, Savanna, Dixon, Galena or Rockford. LaSalle and Ottawa, OK, but right on the line.
I Live in Dixon and grew up in Sterling, so I know the area well.
Starting in Dixon, where Depot avenue crosses the tracks (MP 98.0) is a nice place to sit and watch trains. The gravel lot is where the depot once sat. With your scanner tuned to 161.040 (UP Geneva Sub) you can hear the Defect detector at MP 95.0 and the crossing signals will warn you of trains west of your location. Good photos here also with the water tower and the freight house and the curves, this curve could be the one refered to as “Suicide Curve” but I have never heared that referance before.
West of Dixon is Nelson and this is a MUST SEE. Nelson still has a steam aera (Concrete) Coaling tower spanning 4 tracks. Very good for evening Photos. The Peoria Sub Splits and heads south from Nelson, it will see a few trains a day the Peoria sub Freq is 161.890
West of Nelson is Sterling, if your into railroad History you should check out the Dillon Home Museum. Take the tour if you want but the real attraction is the Steam engine on display in the yard. This is a Former GTW 0-8-0 switcher #8373 it was used by the Northwestern Steel & Wire co. in Sterling and was the last daily fired Steam engine in America. the Dillon Home is trackside.
In Sterling, Avenue B is a good spot to watch trains but not all that spectacular for Photos. Avenue B is where the UP Local train is based out of. On Monday and Wednesday evenings the local travels to Dixon to switch the scrap yard and the flexoglass plant, Friday evening the local goes to Rochelle to switch the cold storage plant. From this location you might be able to catch some yard switching on Friday between 4pm and 5:30pm before they head west.
Knew I heard it someplace… [8D] Yeah, I’ve changed my topic title, I guess some people would disagree with the downstate title…! Thanks to everybody who posted, you bet I’ll post pictures! I’m leaving Milwaukeeland around 17:00 tomorrow.