late bike riding pays off.......finnaly

well i was out on my bike tonight and heard a train on the tracks being redone in the last month. when i reached the crossing the train was slowly backing up for an unknown reason. On my way back I was stopped by the same train only going forward. Well I took this as some sort of sign so I turned around and headed to the NS mainline only a block or so away. When i reached the crossing I looked down the track and noticed the signal that had been red was now yellow. I rode up annd down some streets that parallel the line when i saw gates go down 2 blocks away. I raced back to the nearest crossing and checked the signal, sure enough…green. The crossing signals started ringing and flashing and within ten seconds a NS container train blasted through blowing the horn and going about 60. Needless to say, my night is now complete although i was hoping for one last train on the CN mainline but hey, you cant have everything. by the way sorry for the long article.

pat

I too got lucky tonight.[:D] What I mean is, while doing my honey do list after work, I happen to be near the BNSF Aurora sub. In Milledgville to be exact. I had no real plans to watch trains, but when I went thru town I noticed the block signal was green, so I hung around for a while. I saw 4 west bound trains in 45 minutes.It’s single track in this area and theres not a yard around for many miles. they were running almost nose to tail. I must say this has got to be a personal best for # of trains in the shortest time.

Anybody else get lucky tonight.
[:p]

Later Bill

Pat,

I’m trying desperately to determine where you’re having these experiences. Where exactly do you find the CN main line near Lake Michigan?

the CN main line runs through central valparaiso.

Well I dont get that lucky but there are times when. I see two trains coming or going at the same times which can be very execting for any railfan but there was one day a couple of years ago where in one afternoon I got stopped by 5 very long but very fast moving trains [:D]

It isn’t that common but I’ve seen two freights (one in each direction) on the BRC waiting for my train (Metra Southwest) to clear Belt Junction.

I get lucky alot! Usually when I head to stores a couple of miles away from my house, an Wheeling and Lake Erie local more than likely will be coming. Usually from about 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Sometimes they will run the trains side by side at speed thru my town. Awesome