| The Gregarious Railfan |
Rondout Jct., Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (population, 5,722)
GPS: N 42.27955, W 87.89550 Google map
Scanner: Metra 160.770 [44], CN 160.350 [16], 161.145 [69], 161.475 [91]
Railroads: Canadian National (Soo) Chicago Division, CM Sub; CN (WC) Chicago Terminal Division, Leighton Sub
Description: A Junction in North east Illinois mostly Metra. This is a junction involving Metra and CP Rail, and
crossing with the CN former Elgin Joliet & Eastern. In addition to freight and Metra activity there are Amtrak
Hiawatha Service trains on the CP between Chicago and Milwaukee, and the Amtrak Empire Builder.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 80+ on weekdays, less on weekends (includes 16 Amtrak per day)
Photo opportunities: Pictures of the Junction from the nearby elevated bike path, or from the CN grade crossing on
Arcadia Rd.
Parking: There is a small amount of parking on the wood chips (this may have been paved) across Arcadia Rd from the
Knollwood Sportsmans Club. The KSC parking lot is posted but they accept railfans to park in their lot as long as they
don't displace members. See Map #1 on page 2
Safety: Not a problem, but as always Stay off RR property
Other Nearby stuff: If you're required (or just want) to split quality time with a spouse or significant other,
There are many fine restaurants and lots of unique shopping nearby in both Libertyville and Lake Bluff.
Local breakfast: The Caboose 320 E. Hawley, Mundelein 3 Miles East GPS: N 42.26977, W 87.99959
Fast Food: McDonalds, 28929 Waukegan Rd, N 42.28164, W 87.87975 to the east; Culvers, 803 E. Park Ave,
Libertyville, N 42.28157, W 87.93948
Ice Cream: Culvers, 803 E. Park Ave, Libertyville, N 42.28157, W 87.93948;
Dairy Queen, 502 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville,
Pub and Grub: Rita's, 13744 Rockland Rd N 42.28012, W 87.90024;
The Silo, 625 Rockland Rd, N 42.27971, W 87.87485, A WIDE variety of sandwiches, pizza, drinks, and desserts.
Firkin, 515 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, W 42.28809, W 87.95447, (Probably one of the greatest P & G
establishments I have ever experienced after railfanning. Funky, not rail themed. Too much to describe, just go there.)
Lodging: Sleep Inn and others at Great Lakes Naval Base, N 42.30327, W 87.87566 (check and reserve early as
hotels are frequently sold out because of Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and many corporate headquarters in the
area. There are also many higher end hotels in the general area.
GPS: N 42.27955, W 87.89550 Google map
Scanner: Metra 160.770 [44], CN 160.350 [16], 161.145 [69], 161.475 [91]
Railroads: Canadian National (Soo) Chicago Division, CM Sub; CN (WC) Chicago Terminal Division, Leighton Sub
Description: A Junction in North east Illinois mostly Metra. This is a junction involving Metra and CP Rail, and
crossing with the CN former Elgin Joliet & Eastern. In addition to freight and Metra activity there are Amtrak
Hiawatha Service trains on the CP between Chicago and Milwaukee, and the Amtrak Empire Builder.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 80+ on weekdays, less on weekends (includes 16 Amtrak per day)
Photo opportunities: Pictures of the Junction from the nearby elevated bike path, or from the CN grade crossing on
Arcadia Rd.
Parking: There is a small amount of parking on the wood chips (this may have been paved) across Arcadia Rd from the
Knollwood Sportsmans Club. The KSC parking lot is posted but they accept railfans to park in their lot as long as they
don't displace members. See Map #1 on page 2
Safety: Not a problem, but as always Stay off RR property
Other Nearby stuff: If you're required (or just want) to split quality time with a spouse or significant other,
There are many fine restaurants and lots of unique shopping nearby in both Libertyville and Lake Bluff.
Local breakfast: The Caboose 320 E. Hawley, Mundelein 3 Miles East GPS: N 42.26977, W 87.99959
Fast Food: McDonalds, 28929 Waukegan Rd, N 42.28164, W 87.87975 to the east; Culvers, 803 E. Park Ave,
Libertyville, N 42.28157, W 87.93948
Ice Cream: Culvers, 803 E. Park Ave, Libertyville, N 42.28157, W 87.93948;
Dairy Queen, 502 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville,
Pub and Grub: Rita's, 13744 Rockland Rd N 42.28012, W 87.90024;
The Silo, 625 Rockland Rd, N 42.27971, W 87.87485, A WIDE variety of sandwiches, pizza, drinks, and desserts.
Firkin, 515 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, W 42.28809, W 87.95447, (Probably one of the greatest P & G
establishments I have ever experienced after railfanning. Funky, not rail themed. Too much to describe, just go there.)
Lodging: Sleep Inn and others at Great Lakes Naval Base, N 42.30327, W 87.87566 (check and reserve early as
hotels are frequently sold out because of Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and many corporate headquarters in the
area. There are also many higher end hotels in the general area.
Maps
Annotated Google Overview
Google map
Firkin Bar in Libertyville Check out the menu
Links
Pictures
NOT!
Rondout Tower (closed)
Rondout Junction
