| The Gregarious Railfan |
La Grange, IL 60525 (population, 15,550)
GPS: N 41.81568, W 87.87103 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]; IHB 160.980 [58], 161.070 [64]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Division, Chicago Sub
Description: La Grange, Illinois is a Southwestern suburb of Chicago. It has a triple track main line (called the BNSF
“Racetrack” by railfans) running right through downtown. Frequent BNSF intermodal and manifest freights as well as
Metra and Amtrak pass through La Grange. There is street parking and municipal lot parking all along the tracks and
opportunities for photographs in an urban setting. The entire “Racetrack” from Chicago to Aurora, IL and beyond is
worthy of railfanning, and La Grange is just a great example of the experience.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: Weekdays there are 140 trains + (mostly Metra); with less on weekends.
Nearby RR stuff: Other Metra stops on the ‘Racetrack’. La Grange Hobby Center, 25 La Grange Rd, N 41.8115,
W 87.8695 is ˝ block south of the Metra station. The Stone Ave. Metra Station N 41.8138, W 87.8783 just west
is very photogenic and also a good place to watch trains. Just East of downtown is the Ogden Ave. overpass (N
41.8169, W 87.8643) of the IHB, with a view of the triple track BNSF over the triple track IHB. Again, make sure
to stay off railroad property.
Other interesting or fun stuff: World famous Brookfield Zoo is 3 miles east. N 41.83069, W 87.83207
Local breakfast: Blueberry Hill Café, south on La grange Rd. N 41.81428, W 87.86955 (Walking distance from the
Metra Station)
Ice Cream: Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream N 41.8146, W 87.8719 at 25 S. Ashland is nearby. and Cold Stone
Creamery is south on La Grange Rd. N 41.81278, W 87.86974
Restaurant Suggestion By Vince from Virginia: Antonino's Ristorante, N 41.81463, W 87.87829, 701 W Hillgrove Ave,
"The food was excellent, good portions and prices were very reasonable. Under $15 after Tip and taxes for a dinner.
and it's trackside."
Nearby Pub and grub: Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, N 41.82161, W 87.84374 across the street
from the Brookfield Metra Station.
Good choice for lodging: The historic looking and reasonably priced Colony Motel N 41.8171, W 87.8527 at 9232
Ogden in Brookfield, IL; clean and basic.
GPS: N 41.81568, W 87.87103 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]; IHB 160.980 [58], 161.070 [64]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Division, Chicago Sub
Description: La Grange, Illinois is a Southwestern suburb of Chicago. It has a triple track main line (called the BNSF
“Racetrack” by railfans) running right through downtown. Frequent BNSF intermodal and manifest freights as well as
Metra and Amtrak pass through La Grange. There is street parking and municipal lot parking all along the tracks and
opportunities for photographs in an urban setting. The entire “Racetrack” from Chicago to Aurora, IL and beyond is
worthy of railfanning, and La Grange is just a great example of the experience.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: Weekdays there are 140 trains + (mostly Metra); with less on weekends.
Nearby RR stuff: Other Metra stops on the ‘Racetrack’. La Grange Hobby Center, 25 La Grange Rd, N 41.8115,
W 87.8695 is ˝ block south of the Metra station. The Stone Ave. Metra Station N 41.8138, W 87.8783 just west
is very photogenic and also a good place to watch trains. Just East of downtown is the Ogden Ave. overpass (N
41.8169, W 87.8643) of the IHB, with a view of the triple track BNSF over the triple track IHB. Again, make sure
to stay off railroad property.
Other interesting or fun stuff: World famous Brookfield Zoo is 3 miles east. N 41.83069, W 87.83207
Local breakfast: Blueberry Hill Café, south on La grange Rd. N 41.81428, W 87.86955 (Walking distance from the
Metra Station)
Ice Cream: Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream N 41.8146, W 87.8719 at 25 S. Ashland is nearby. and Cold Stone
Creamery is south on La Grange Rd. N 41.81278, W 87.86974
Restaurant Suggestion By Vince from Virginia: Antonino's Ristorante, N 41.81463, W 87.87829, 701 W Hillgrove Ave,
"The food was excellent, good portions and prices were very reasonable. Under $15 after Tip and taxes for a dinner.
and it's trackside."
Nearby Pub and grub: Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, N 41.82161, W 87.84374 across the street
from the Brookfield Metra Station.
Good choice for lodging: The historic looking and reasonably priced Colony Motel N 41.8171, W 87.8527 at 9232
Ogden in Brookfield, IL; clean and basic.
