Can someone provide me with some of your favorite places possibly on the chicago subdivision (Cylde yard, Eola Yard, Hinsdale, ETC.)
And On There Chicago Racetrack, Where Can You Get The Best Shots, And Most Trains At, At One Of The BNSF Metra Stations?
Going by the requested criteria above, I would suggest Naperville between @2:30 - @4:00 pm. You should get the Cal Zeph and the SW Chief, unless they’re running late, a bunch of Metra dinkies, some freight and don’t forget you’re at the west end of the S-curve with crossovers on both sides of the station. Downtown Naperville is also very nice. If you like Metra, stick around for the evening rush.
Riding Metra is another option. Purchase a weekend pass (I think it’s $7 now) for unlimited travel all weekend on any Metra line. There’s plenty of weekend service on the BNSF and this will allow you to move station to station.
CC
My personal favorite is Lavergne (Ridgeland Ave) in Berwyn. Most freights are at low speeds to enter or exit Clyde and you get the usual collection of dinkies and Amtrak trains. The IC Iowa Line also crosses on an overpass at this point.
See also the link below at the bottom of this page - in the 3rd column under “Railroad Reference”, 4th line down - to the article/ webpage here on "Chicago’s ‘Hot Spots’ ", at -
http://www.trains.com/trn/default.aspx?c=a&id=514
I’m not sure what criteria was used for ranking/ listing them, though.