Hi,
I’m planning a train watching trip to Joliet, Illinois in mid- August. I would like to know if the recession has decreased the number of trains through Joliet, Illinois? Any information would be great. Thanks for your help!
Joe
I think that any location with trains going through as frequently as they do in Joliet will have suffered some decrease during the downturn. Please, though, don’t let that keep you away.
In a word - yes but the BNSF mainline will still have decent traffic and Metra arrives and departs every half hour. Amtrak has several trains a day in both directions. Iowa Interstate is quirky even in good times. Lately there is one train per day in each direction. The eastbound is coming through between 5AM amd 8AM totaly dependent on the amount of switching it has crossing Illinois. The return westbound train seems to be leaving fairly late at night. EJ&E traffic is increased due to the CN take over. You might want to go south out of town on route 52 (or is it 53?). it runs right along the EJ&E and see if anything is coming through there.
One of the best urban train rides is out from La Salle Street to Joliet. Among other things you will pass some Chicagoland train watching landmarks on the way out. On weekends you can ride Metra for $5 bucks all weekend. You will see trains and railfans at Joliet, if it is slow you can always talk to another fan. One guy told me he leaves his wife at the casino then watches trains.
Those are great ideas, 'Cat! (Except that my wife wouldn’t want to go to the casino). As for the ride out, we did that once. It’s everything you say it is. But in the city, you go through some of the most deplorable urban wastelands you’ll find anywhere (at least it was that way when we took our girls on the trip–I think they appreciated the relative opulence we live in).
I realize this is like a century ago but in the 1960’s a model railroad club occupied the entire second floor of the Joliet station. This was a good looking railroad. Is the railroad or club still in existence?
Here here is some video I shot at Joliet IL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVRFNPZRb0I
If you want to see other videos shot there please go to