DME Marquette Subdivision

[ConrailForever]

Greetings friends,

In mid-August, I'm planning a trip west to Illinois and Iowa. Besides my usual rounds on the BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision and a few other plans in the eastern half of Illinois, I was hoping to see some action on the DME, namely through Bellevue, IA. I'm interested to see if anyone knows the volume of traffic on the Marquette Subdivision between Dubuque and Clinton. Since I'm not familiar with the area, I'm trying to get as much information as I can in order to make the best of my short time (maybe a day or so) around the Mississippi River, and I'd really like to nab some DME action in the process.

Thanks for any helpful information in advanced.

PS: Any tips on chasing trains in the area is also welcomed and appreciated!

[Y@]

From what I can gather the line sees around 10-12 trains a day. Not sure on how easy it is to chase out there.

[railohio]

I'm trying to get as much information as I can in order to make the best of my short time (maybe a day or so) around the Mississippi River, and I'd really like to nab some DME action in the process.

Hang out at a busy spot like Clinton or Rochelle and listen for a track warrant. You can easily go hours without a train and may not even get one that aligns with the light.

PS: Any tips on chasing trains in the area is also welcomed and appreciated!

Drive fast.

[MDH]

I was hoping to see some action on the DME, namely through Bellevue, IA. I'm interested to see if anyone knows the volume of traffic on the Marquette Subdivision between Dubuque and Clinton. Since I'm not familiar with the area, I'm trying to get as much information as I can in order to make the best of my short time (maybe a day or so) around the Mississippi River, and I'd really like to nab some DME action in the process.

You could try posing the question on this Yahoo group:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ICErail/

And this for info:

http://www.illinirail.com/icerail/index.html

The system timetable info would be useful (so you know where the heck those warrants are being issued) - the train symbol info is a bit dated (2 years old or so) but I don't think it's changed dramatically. Given that, there are only 2 pairs of daily trains (170/171 & 270/271) that run that portion of the line plus as needed other manifests, grain and ethanol trains. So you can see getting shots where you want can be a real challenge. Certainly makes you appreciate some of those pretty rp.net pictures from that stretch of the line (in terms of what it takes to get them, i.e. luck, a lot of time and persistence – probably all 3).

Railohio already gave you good advice (i.e. watch UP in Clinton until you hear a worthwhile train on CP or likewise with Rochelle & Davis Jct.) and then chase the CP train. Of course the other hazard is that they have so much crap power on that part of the system now you never know what you’ll get. Yeah – it’s nice seeing ICE/DME in Ohio or New England or wherever, but sucks if you go to Sabula wanting Blue & Yellow and get nothing but rainbow colored rent-a-wrecks.

Good luck!
Michael

[MDH]

PS: Any tips on chasing trains in the area is also welcomed and appreciated!

I don't think there's much in the way of "chasing" you can do north of Clinton per se. Let's say you stake out your Bellevue, IA shot at sunrise and are lucky enough to get a morning southbound at some point. You might be able to beat it to Sabula for another shot there but probably nothing in between. If it continues south you again could probably beat it to Clinton but probably nothing in between. It's more chaseable south of Clinton to the Quad Cities but it could take you a while to drive throught Clinton...

In other words, if you really want the Bellevue shot be there at Sunrise, plan to burn half a day getting it and hope for the best. If you get lucky with a SB train in the first couple hours there you might end up down in Clinton around mid day with 2 or 3 shots of it and consider it lucky.

Good luck,
Michael

EDIT to add: The classic shot from on top of the hill looking down at the street running is more of an afternoon shot so I guess you could show up mid day and hope to get something in useable light if that's what's desired.

[Beal99]

I'd hang out in Savanna and wait for anything crossing or coming up the river line, you can chase from Clinton-Sabula, but its "meh" at best. prob more like 8-10 trains a day. They can get backed up in Dubuque/Marquette so you may wait all day (like we did) for the Bellevue shot.

I've done this many many times (as seen on the flickr), just get to Savanna by sunrise and keep your eyes and ears (on the scanner) peeled. I also recommend joining the ICERail yahoo group for constant updates.