TOP TEN RAILFAN SPOTS

NORTH AND WEST OF CHICAGO

Chicago was featured in the July 1993 issue of TRAINS magazine. Included in that issue was a "Top Ten" list of Chicago's best train watching spots, as selected by the TRAINS staff.

One mile south of downtown Chicago, Roosevelt Road was once considered the world's greatest train watching overpass. Roosevelt Road once began at one major passenger station, and passed over the trackage of four other passenger stations. Three of those stations are now gone, leaving Union Station as the primary source of activity. All Amtrak trains except those serving Milwaukee pass under the bridge, and Amtrak moves in and out of the Yard are seen. Also seen are Metra trains on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Southwest, and Heritage Corridor lines. To the east and across the Chicago River is the trackage south of La Salle Street Station, used by Metra's Rock Island District. Area is most easily reached by walking south from Union Station on Canal Street. CTA access is via the #12 Roosevelt bus, operating west from rapid transit stations on the Red, Green and Orange Lines.

Junction involving the Metra and CP Rail/Soo Line C&M and Fox Lake Subdivisions, and crossing with the Elgin Joliet and Eastern. In addition to freight and Metra activity are Amtrak trains on the C&M Subdivision between Chicago and Milwaukee. Metra trains no longer stop here, leaving the area inaccessible by public transit. Crossing is at Illinois Hwy. 176, east of the Tri-State Tollway (I-94).

On the Union Pacific's former Chicago and North Western Geneva Subdivision, immediately west of Proviso Yard. Metra trains also stop here. Location is near York Road, between Lake Street (US Hwy. 20) and St. Charles Road.

On Burlington Northern Santa Fe's Chicago Subdivision. Some Metra trains stop here, more regular Metra service is available at Hinsdale to the west. Location is south of Ogden Avenue (US Hwy. 34) and west of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).