I’m going to be visiting the Chicago area in a few weeks and saw on a map that BNSF’s racetrack passes above the IHB in LaGrange. Is it possible to railfan this location? Is it safe? how does one get to the area (if it is possible)? How safe is Blue Island to railfan at?
Thanks.
I’ve seen a few of the faithful at LaGrange; they usually go down along the IHB (there are streets that aren’t far from good observation locations…as I’m not a photographer I can’t vouch for the quality of shots you can get from there). The overpass is a short distance east of the LaGrange Road station on the BN Metra line. So take Metra…otherwise go east of LaGrange Road on the street south of the BNSF tracks (done best coming from the south); park on the street and walk a few blocks to get down there. I haven’t looked from the Ogden Avenue overpass, but suspect that you could see lots, photograph little. I would consider it to be quite safe, as long as you aren’t on railroad property.
Blue Island, same thing. Park on the street (Broadway) close to the tracks, and just walk to the crossing. Stay on the sidewalk there, so you’re not trespassing.
CShaveRR gave good advice, but suggest you be very careful in the spots he mentions in LaGrange as the BNSF and local police have been all around there recently keeping the undesireables out, so don’t be surprised if you are chased away but in the mean time you will love the spot…ditto Blue Island which is much easier to watch trains from without tresspassing on RR property. Hope this all helps.
I’m going to be visiting the Chicago area in a few weeks and saw on a map that BNSF’s racetrack passes above the IHB in LaGrange. Is it possible to railfan this location? Is it safe? how does one get to the area (if it is possible)? How safe is Blue Island to railfan at?
Thanks.
I’ve seen a few of the faithful at LaGrange; they usually go down along the IHB (there are streets that aren’t far from good observation locations…as I’m not a photographer I can’t vouch for the quality of shots you can get from there). The overpass is a short distance east of the LaGrange Road station on the BN Metra line. So take Metra…otherwise go east of LaGrange Road on the street south of the BNSF tracks (done best coming from the south); park on the street and walk a few blocks to get down there. I haven’t looked from the Ogden Avenue overpass, but suspect that you could see lots, photograph little. I would consider it to be quite safe, as long as you aren’t on railroad property.
Blue Island, same thing. Park on the street (Broadway) close to the tracks, and just walk to the crossing. Stay on the sidewalk there, so you’re not trespassing.
CShaveRR gave good advice, but suggest you be very careful in the spots he mentions in LaGrange as the BNSF and local police have been all around there recently keeping the undesireables out, so don’t be surprised if you are chased away but in the mean time you will love the spot…ditto Blue Island which is much easier to watch trains from without tresspassing on RR property. Hope this all helps.