Unsafe Train Watching in Chicago

I'll flip it around and tell you that Dolton Crossing should be pretty safe.

 

You can railfan it right from the parking lot of the local Police Station

I used to live a block from there, between two sets of tracks. Whenever we went any where we were stopped by a train.  The first night we lived there we thought the house would cave in, but it just was the train vibrating the ground. 

I have railfannd Dolton about a half dozen times, and have zero issues in fact, other than the sidewalk, you seldom see people much at all. I DO agree that I wouldn't hang around after dark and that the photography there is pretty awful, but for sheer volume, it's tough to beat. The Chicago rail junctions website spells all of safety concerns pretty well. When possible, fanning in groups of two or more is always a good idea too. One advantage for ME to stay on the Indiana side is I can carry my sidearm. IF Illinois gets their laws  straightened out, maybe that will become a moot point.

When I rail fan I am always cautious especially in a new area. Also, I try to avoid eye contact and never answer any remarks thrown my way, even when I am carrying. If the area is not too nice the morning is best because the bad people are sleeping or out.

Tom,

 

Concerning your comment about not being harassed by Railroad Police, you can count on that happening even out in the "affluent" suburbs along the Burlington main line to Aurora (rail fans referee to that 3 track main line as the "race track"but it reality it has always been "The East End"). Lots of METRA commute trains, Amtrak, and LOTS of BNSF freight traffic. But there are still the sometimes "friendly" RR Police.

On the Indiana side you have Gary, which I hear is a nice area to avoid, even in an

armored Humvee..

It like anywhere in Gary there are safe spots and not safe.  Miller beach is in Gary and it's very safe and high end.  I saw Donald Trump there.

       

I have spent some long days videoing trains in Homestead,Pa. where the CSX and NS mains go through the old steel mill site which is now a large shopping center.  Not a very nice neighborhood but the daylight is pretty safe plus there are three  police depts that patrol it. The locals walk down to the stores and cross the NS tracks and if you point your camera their way it is funny to watch them hide their faces-male and female. Don't point your camera at a cop, though !!  They don't like that at all and expect to be questioned. Be polite and show ID.

Hey Tom:

 

I have a few questions for you that you might want to contact me off-line with.

 

Chicago is way too big for anyone to really understand all the "good and bad" spots but I will try to give some insight.

 

I am very familiar with the downtown area and west to far west points. Somewhat familiar with the Southside points. Not to knowledgeable with the Northern points.

 

My questions to you would be:

 

1: Are you interested in filming (video/still) or just watching? There is a pretty big difference.

 

2: If shooting are you looking for "roster" shots or really nice images of trains in the environment? Again, the answer will dictate some locations over others.

 

3: Freight or passenger? I love shooting downtown, but the freight options become a bit less and Metra/Amtrak more.

 

4: Can you "camp out" for a while or do you want to follow trains? The closer to the city you get the harder it will be to follow, but it can be done, especially if your traveling with someone who can drive and drop you off in spots. Parking can be a problem in the city.

 

5: Chicago still has street running, albeit limited. Swing Bridge, Bascule Bridge, lift bridges, all still there. Even street level crossing in the downtown area. A lot of the railroad guys around here don't know that...and it’s not a secret. You just have to know where to go.

 

6: To address your specific question about bad areas that use to be safe. I would put Englewood in that category. While there are a few spots to shoot along the area, I would not feel comfortable recommending that to a visitor. 

 

Anyway, Chicago and a loop extending about 40 miles out provide many great shooting options. The one thing missing is the great western backgrounds, but we have really tall building that also makes for nice shooting.

 

To 

 

Hope that helps.

 

Charlie

I have always understood, Joliet was no place to be at any time.

Roger that!  Miller Beach and the Dunes National Seashore have not much in common with downtown Gary.  Rural and VERY upscale and reminiscent of Cape Cod.

 

The South Shore's old Beverly Shores station at the Dunes is the last of the two remaining Insull Spanish style depots that are in existence and it is the only one in use as a station.  It's been completely restored along with it's huge neon sign and quaint waiting room that is open 24 hours and VERY safe. 

 

Tom if you are coming to Chicago and you have the time treat yourself to a round trip on "America's last Interurban", the South Shore if not for the speed but for the street running in Michigan City.  These two nice lengths of street running may be living on borrowed time since the discussion of eliminating them comes up often as the CSS runs freight on them off peak. 

I like hopping the South Shore at Carroll Ave. in Michigan City.  Very safe station.  Round trip to M Station and back is 17 bucks.  Lots of things to see along the way... Some Gary locations remind me of Detroit in the "cracked out" 80s... oh who am I kidding... some parts of the city still look like that.  

 

There is an old steam engine on display at Gary Metro Center...

I like hopping the South Shore at Carroll Ave. in Michigan City.  

Back in the early 80's a friend and I chased 765.  We took a break and grabbed the South Shore in South Bend.  We stopped at the shops and took a look at the Little Joes, and the next stop was Gary.  There was a New York Central station within walking distance from the South Shore station that looked very interesting.  In fact, it had been one of the shooting locations of an Alan Ladd movie, Appointment With Danger.  Watch trailer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...btag_tt_pv_vi_aiv-20

 

He played a postal inspector.  Some NYC steam action.

 

Anyway, we didn't have the guts to go into the station, but at one time it was a very nicely built station.  (Next to a steel mill.)

 

 

 

 

It always troubles me when so much money was spent to build something special, and it gets laid to waste.

During a trip to Chicago a couple years ago we went to the Rochelle Railroad Park for the day.  A gentleman I was talking to there told me about train watching at 'Blue Island', that every Class 1 railroad went through there.

 

I noticed on a map that it is a fairly spread out area.  Is any of it safe for filming or photography?

Thanks for the replies, fellows.  I might have a day to take photos on the way to the family reunion this year.

 

In long past years, I have taken photos on the Burlington 3-track main, State Line Tower, Hammond, Blue Island, Joliet, McCormick Place, and a crossing where I staked out the Belt's Alcos and was attacked by a black cloud of mosquitoes at dusk.

and was attacked by a black cloud of mosquitoes at dusk.

They must like you.  I remember you mentioning a similar experience when you went to check out that Pacific a few years back.

Good evening all,

 

Being a resident of the south suburbs of Chicago, I can offer a little advice on some areas for train watching.

If you like yard operations, you can't beat CN's massive yard in Homewood, IL. Easy to get to from downtown via Metra's Electric District, which stops right next to the entrance to the yard. Amtrak also stops here too, plus there are a few run through freights that pop up now and then. On display on the other side of the tracks is an old IC GP10 and an IC caboose. The neighborhood is great, and I've had no troubles here.

 

Also accessible via Metra Electric is the train watching platform in Matteson, IL. This is only a few miles south of Homewood. This is home to CN's cloverleaf junction that connects the old IC main with the old EJ&E. It is very impressive to watch a train work its way through here. Also on site here is a restored EJ&E caboose. As with Homewood, this area is pretty safe as well.

 

Blue Island Junction does have a lot of freight action, but I personally wouldn't go there, even in the daytime. I've had to deal with CSX police here and a disgruntled tower operator who insisted I was trespassing, even though I was standing on the sidewalk next to the street.

 

Joliet during the day is O.K., but Joliet Union Station just recently closed and all passenger operations have been moved to new platforms. It sound's like there will be some new track alinement going on here. Though I haven't been her since the closure, from what I've heard the old platforms have been fenced off, and sight lines from the new platforms aren't that great.

 

If a high volume of trains is your thing, a good alternative spot to Joliet is in Lockport, IL. I've been here day and night with no problems. This is the BNSF Chillicothe Sub, and the sweeping curve under the 9th street bridge makes for some great photos. Bring a lawn chair if possible.

 

Downtown wise, I've struck out at the Canal Street crossing, though I went on a weekend. A weekday visit would probably yield good results. Another good spot downtown is the Roosevelt Street Museum Campus station. This is Metra Electric and the South Shore Line, and trains are frequent.

 

This is all that I can think off at the moment, any questions feel free to ask.

 

Josh

 

 

I went to a Chicago White Sox game a few years back. There is a rail line just next to the stadium. Fairly rough area  where the ball park is located and my advice for the locals who came with me was if you hear any cracking sounds Duck, it gin fire.

 

On another trip I went to the top of the Then Sears Tower. From there you get a great perspective of the rail lines coming into Chicago from the North, South and West.

Good morning.i live in DesPlaines just north west of Chicago. For someone coming from out of town this is a very safe place to rail fan. There is a diamond where the Unoin pacific, Canadian Pacific, and Canadian Nation all meet at that diamond on a temporary wooden bridge from the 1930's. And you can toss in the UP Metra Northwest line and the Merta North line too Using the tracks also. And after a full day of photo taking you can go to the Choo Chew restaurant in downtown Des Plaines where your food comes on a Lionel train. That place has been there since the late 50's. des Plaines also boasts the most grade crossings in the US. 

Most of the train tracks are north of the heart of Gary in the industrial corridor, and there really aren't any people around to cause much of a problem. Clark Road comes to mind.  I have also railfanned at East Chicago (Calumet Tower) and Whiting and have never felt unsafe.  Of course these were all during the daytime, and I use proper care. 

Great job Josh, as a southsider (South Holland, Chicago Heights, and Dolton), you posted places I didn't even know of. 

rboatertoo,

 

Glad I can help. I live about 10 minutes away from Homewood, so I frequent the yard often. I've been going there since I was a kid. Lots of fun!

While I realize RR are in the business of running trains and serious about security, it would be nice and a PR plus if on their website they posted safe photographic places for major cities/areas that would satisfy railfans and photographers while insuring staying off property.

And yes I have been hassled by RR cops for taking pictures well back of gates on public sidewalks.  Even had one dumb a** cop ( read the papers lately of shootings?... but that another topic) telling me no train watching or pictures while standing in a park well away from tracks (guess he wanted me to blind myself)!!