| The Gregarious Railfan |
Western Springs, IL 60558 (population, 12,989)
GPS: N 41.80905, W 87.90045 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Div, Chicago Sub, MP 15; Metra BNSF line
Description: Western Springs, IL is located on the Metra BNSF line, the busy BNSF triple track “Racetrack”. It is a
great location if you want to be close to the action and still view trains from your car. It is about a half hour
Metra ride to Union Station with stops at a few other good railfan locations. As with all of the locations on ‘the
Racetrack”, there is a heavy mix of BNSF through freights and Metra Commuter trains. The Station is open most of
the day and provides restrooms and shelter during inclement weather.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 135+ includes 74 Metra, and 6 Amtrak (including The Southwest Chief) and
approximately 55 full length BNSF freight trains.
Nearby RR stuff: Other nearby Metra stops on the "Racetrack"
Other interesting or fun stuff: The World Famous Brookfield Zoo is located in nearby Brookfield, Within walking
distance of the Hollywood Metra stop.
Local breakfast: Kirschbaum’s Bakery, ½ block east of the Metra station, on Burlington Ave. has some of the world’
s finest pastries and goodies. They sell out early and close early in the day. (closed Sunday & Monday)
Ice Cream: Oberweis Dairy at 929 Burlington, just west of the station is an old Fashioned Dairy bar.
Local Pub and grub: Many fine places in nearby LaGrange.
Personal observations: One of my favorite places to railfan.
GPS: N 41.80905, W 87.90045 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 161.100 [66], 161.160 [70]
Railroad: BNSF Chicago Div, Chicago Sub, MP 15; Metra BNSF line
Description: Western Springs, IL is located on the Metra BNSF line, the busy BNSF triple track “Racetrack”. It is a
great location if you want to be close to the action and still view trains from your car. It is about a half hour
Metra ride to Union Station with stops at a few other good railfan locations. As with all of the locations on ‘the
Racetrack”, there is a heavy mix of BNSF through freights and Metra Commuter trains. The Station is open most of
the day and provides restrooms and shelter during inclement weather.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 135+ includes 74 Metra, and 6 Amtrak (including The Southwest Chief) and
approximately 55 full length BNSF freight trains.
Nearby RR stuff: Other nearby Metra stops on the "Racetrack"
Other interesting or fun stuff: The World Famous Brookfield Zoo is located in nearby Brookfield, Within walking
distance of the Hollywood Metra stop.
Local breakfast: Kirschbaum’s Bakery, ½ block east of the Metra station, on Burlington Ave. has some of the world’
s finest pastries and goodies. They sell out early and close early in the day. (closed Sunday & Monday)
Ice Cream: Oberweis Dairy at 929 Burlington, just west of the station is an old Fashioned Dairy bar.
Local Pub and grub: Many fine places in nearby LaGrange.
Personal observations: One of my favorite places to railfan.
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