Illinois-Where is the most BNSF action?

atsf101 · 07-14-2012, 12:29 AM

I am trying to figure out which BNSF main out here will have the most freight traffic and I just can't figure it out. Is there a lot of BNSF traffic through Rochelle? Is that an area that I should skip and go to a different mainline? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I plan to get a rental car and be out all day Saturday/Sunday for one weekend next month.

Hatchetman · 07-15-2012, 02:25 AM

Rochelle isn't a very good spot to shoot actually. There are lots of picturesque places b/t Galesburg and Mendota. Suggest you do some research there.

crazytiger · 07-16-2012, 03:27 AM

Probably the Chicago Sub, nicknamed The Racetrack, between Chicago and Aurora, for raw BNSF traffic, though I don't really know. You'll have lots of Metra there and you'll have to work around the rushes if you just want BNSF action. At Rochelle, you'll get a decent amount, but it'll be both BNSF and UP.

nikos1 · 07-16-2012, 10:29 AM

I've heard Galesburg is the best but I know nothing. All I've shot is the racetrack which is alright if you want to shoot nothing other than F40's and GEVO's all day.
Why BNSF? You can do alot better on the CP and with Hunter Harrison now in charge I fear the days of solid SD40-2 consists will soon be a thing of the past, it will change as quickly as CSX did in 07-08.

Hatchetman · 07-16-2012, 02:03 PM

Where are you starting from? That might be helpful.

atsf101 · 07-16-2012, 10:42 PM

I'm starting from Arlington Heights. Because of work, I will only have Saturday/Sunday. I plan to get a rental car after work on Friday and then drive out to the location/area that I plan to railfan. I know the southern portion (Chillicothe Subdivision) has Edelstein Hill (Can I get out to the Hill if I rent some compact car or do I need a truck?). Between Aurora and Mendota looks good for the "race track" portion minus the Metra crap. Rochelle looks busy for both BNSF and UP, but I would probably railfan outside of Rochelle because the shooting doesn't appear to be anything other than roster shots.

Hatchetman · 07-17-2012, 12:13 PM

IMO you really can't go wrong whatever you do. Maybe start at Medota and head south. Here's one in Kewanee. I saw three trains in about half hour there.

Swooosh!

milwman · 08-24-2012, 10:32 AM

Galesburg Gives you both ex BN and SF + the BN's big yard on the south side with a bridge up can park on and watch from.