| The Gregarious Railfan |
Aurora, IL 60505 (population, 199,963)
GPS: N 41.76184, W 88.30918 Metra Station Google map
Scanner: BNSF, 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Division, Chicago Sub, MP 37
Description: Aurora, IL is at the end of the Metra BNSF line on the west end of the busy BNSF triple track
“Racetrack”. The BNSF Metra Coach yard is located here. It is a great location if you want something close to
centralized railfanning in north central Illinois.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 135+ This includes 74 Metra, and 6 Amtrak (including The Southwest Chief)
and approximately 55 full length BNSF freight trains.
Nearby RR stuff: There is CB&Q Caboose on display at the station. The Rochelle Railfan Park is approximately a
one hour drive to the west on I-88 (toll). It is a one hour Metra ride into Union Station with stops at many other
good railfan locations along the ‘racetrack’. Just across the Fox River to the west, The BNSF Mendota sub splits off
and goes to the West, While the Aurora sub continues through Rochelle and on to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Other interesting or fun stuff: If you or your spouse enjoys shopping or other diversions, they are close by. Chicago
Premium Outlets is just north of town. The towns of St Charles and Geneva also offer quaint or historic sightseeing
and shopping.
Local breakfast: Aurora Pancake House, 321 N. Lake (west of the Fox River)
Local Fast Food: 1 mile north on Lake St. (west of the Fox River)
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen 126 N. Lake St. (N 41.76131, W 88.31667)
and Banana Split, Inc., 820 Church Road (N 41.774979, W 88.29767)
Local Pub and grub: Just south of the Metra station is Two Brothers’ Roundhouse Restaurant (Pizza) and Brew
pub. $$
Lodging: Comfort Suite hotel (N 41.75992, W 88.31003) $$ (a little pricey but it is trackside) Railfan Motels.com
Personal observations: This is mostly a “lay of the Land” location. All of the same trains may be seen anywhere
along the ‘racetrack’.
GPS: N 41.76184, W 88.30918 Metra Station Google map
Scanner: BNSF, 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Division, Chicago Sub, MP 37
Description: Aurora, IL is at the end of the Metra BNSF line on the west end of the busy BNSF triple track
“Racetrack”. The BNSF Metra Coach yard is located here. It is a great location if you want something close to
centralized railfanning in north central Illinois.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 135+ This includes 74 Metra, and 6 Amtrak (including The Southwest Chief)
and approximately 55 full length BNSF freight trains.
Nearby RR stuff: There is CB&Q Caboose on display at the station. The Rochelle Railfan Park is approximately a
one hour drive to the west on I-88 (toll). It is a one hour Metra ride into Union Station with stops at many other
good railfan locations along the ‘racetrack’. Just across the Fox River to the west, The BNSF Mendota sub splits off
and goes to the West, While the Aurora sub continues through Rochelle and on to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Other interesting or fun stuff: If you or your spouse enjoys shopping or other diversions, they are close by. Chicago
Premium Outlets is just north of town. The towns of St Charles and Geneva also offer quaint or historic sightseeing
and shopping.
Local breakfast: Aurora Pancake House, 321 N. Lake (west of the Fox River)
Local Fast Food: 1 mile north on Lake St. (west of the Fox River)
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen 126 N. Lake St. (N 41.76131, W 88.31667)
and Banana Split, Inc., 820 Church Road (N 41.774979, W 88.29767)
Local Pub and grub: Just south of the Metra station is Two Brothers’ Roundhouse Restaurant (Pizza) and Brew
pub. $$
Lodging: Comfort Suite hotel (N 41.75992, W 88.31003) $$ (a little pricey but it is trackside) Railfan Motels.com
Personal observations: This is mostly a “lay of the Land” location. All of the same trains may be seen anywhere
along the ‘racetrack’.
Annotated Google map of Aurora
**Interesting factoid: EOLA stands for "End of Line Aurora"
