| The Gregarious Railfan |
West Chicago, IL 60185 (population, 27,096)
GPS: N 41.88329, W 88.20881 Google map
Scanner: CN, 161.475 [91]; UP 160.890 [52] (road), 161.175 [71] (yard)
Railroads: Union Pacific Suburban Div, Geneva Sub, MP 30; Canadian National - (FRA) WC Chicago Terminal Div,
Leithton sub, MP 28; Metra, UP West Line
Description: West Chicago is a suburb of Chicago, located 28 miles west of the city. Well known for it’s triple
diamond junction of the CN with the UP. Busy UP and Metra trains pass over the single track CN at grade (aka
Turner Junction) on the UP West Line (former CNW portion of UP’s Central Corridor). Just to the west is UP’s
West Chicago Yard - a mid-sized interchange yard for switching with an auto unloading ramp. Kress Road passes over
the west end of the yard.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 100 weekdays (mostly Metra)
Nearby RR stuff: At the junction stands the Iconic, former EJ&E interlocking tower; now (2014) still in service
under CN. The West Chicago Chamber of Commerce on Main Street has plenty of parking and a great view of the UP
triple Main. And the Metra Station is just a little farther south on Main.
Local breakfast: Egg Yolk Café about ½ mile east on E. Washington St to SR 59 then south
N 41.88467, W 88.19458
Local Fast Food: Burger King & McDonalds, N 41.88137, W 88.19453 just south of Main St on SR 59
Local Pub and grub: The Bunker Bar & Grill, 216 Main St N 41.88328, W 88.20370
Lodging: ?? 5 miles south on SR 59 near the I-88 tollway; ALL are very pricey. Better prices in suburbs farther west.
Personal observations: A nice change of pace, yet busy place to go railfanning.
GPS: N 41.88329, W 88.20881 Google map
Scanner: CN, 161.475 [91]; UP 160.890 [52] (road), 161.175 [71] (yard)
Railroads: Union Pacific Suburban Div, Geneva Sub, MP 30; Canadian National - (FRA) WC Chicago Terminal Div,
Leithton sub, MP 28; Metra, UP West Line
Description: West Chicago is a suburb of Chicago, located 28 miles west of the city. Well known for it’s triple
diamond junction of the CN with the UP. Busy UP and Metra trains pass over the single track CN at grade (aka
Turner Junction) on the UP West Line (former CNW portion of UP’s Central Corridor). Just to the west is UP’s
West Chicago Yard - a mid-sized interchange yard for switching with an auto unloading ramp. Kress Road passes over
the west end of the yard.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 100 weekdays (mostly Metra)
Nearby RR stuff: At the junction stands the Iconic, former EJ&E interlocking tower; now (2014) still in service
under CN. The West Chicago Chamber of Commerce on Main Street has plenty of parking and a great view of the UP
triple Main. And the Metra Station is just a little farther south on Main.
Local breakfast: Egg Yolk Café about ½ mile east on E. Washington St to SR 59 then south
N 41.88467, W 88.19458
Local Fast Food: Burger King & McDonalds, N 41.88137, W 88.19453 just south of Main St on SR 59
Local Pub and grub: The Bunker Bar & Grill, 216 Main St N 41.88328, W 88.20370
Lodging: ?? 5 miles south on SR 59 near the I-88 tollway; ALL are very pricey. Better prices in suburbs farther west.
Personal observations: A nice change of pace, yet busy place to go railfanning.
Map
Links
Turner Junction railfan fact page by CHICAGO AREA RAIL JUNCTIONS
Pictures
JB Tower at West Chicago
Strange combo, probably heading for the shops.