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Went to Downers Grove which is on the BNSF "racetrack" when I went to Chicago on March 30th. Took a 12:30pm Metra train out there for $3.70 and arrived at 1:17pm to Downers Grove Main Street Station.

Here is a view from the station looking toward Aurora IL which is the end of the line for Metra.


Looking toward Chicago.


View of the signals toward Aurora.


Here is Downers Grove Main Street Station.


A waiting shelter with the name of the stop.

Didn't have to wait long for this BNSF intermodal heading for Aurora to show up. The power was BNSF 990, BNSF 7835, FURX 7243, and BNSF 4924.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2532 (743KB)


Next was this lenghty UP intermodal heading to Chicago. Power was UP 4496, UP 3521, UP 4001, and UP 9083.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2530 (1.32MB)


They have benches on the platform that are 10 feet or so away from the tracks. While sitting this BNSF manifest comes through and blew me away. Never been that close to a fast train before. I had to move off the bench because it was to close for comfort plus all the litter blowing around. Power was BNSF 5033, BNSF 6127 and BNSF 6138 which are both SD9s. Picture of the same consist minus the ex UP unit: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=100392

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2536 (2MB)


Next comes this BNSF intermodal to Chicago. Power was BNSF 5148 and BNSF 824. The commuter in the video I talked to for about 15min. Really nice guy to talk to and knew a lot about trains. After I took the picture I didn't have enough time to zoom the camera out so that's why the video is shaky and too close.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2534 (1MB)


Another BNSF intermodal and the last freight train seen here. Power was BNSF 4712, CSX 9010, and BNSF 4690. Another picture of the same train at Rochelle: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=99731

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2541 (647KB)

is this the total traffic that you saw while you were out there? what time did you head back? looks like you had a good time at least. I'm trying to figure out where to go in chicago the next time i head to Chicago on my own. The Amtrak station in Lansing is another good place to sit close to the tracks when they are at speed. We always back away from the benches when CN is on the close track.

First Metra when I was there. Headed for Aurora. Power is Metra 185.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2540 (607KB)

Gates go up. In Downers Grove there are signs posted that if caught walking through when the gates are down it's a $250 fine or 3 hours of community service no questions asked. Also the gates come down way before the train goes through the crossing.


No picture for the Amtrak California Zephyr. Power is 204 and 207. Here is a picture of the train at Alta California: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=100311

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2552 (917KB)

Heading for Chicago Union Station is this Metra train. Power is Metra 196.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2546 (1.1MB)




Heading for Chicago Union Station is this long distance Amtrak. Power is 138, 183, and 500.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2543 (774KB)


Another Metra train for Aurora. Stops at the station while another intermodal passes on the other side. Power is Metra 201.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2551 (769KB)

Metra train for Aurora. Power is Metra 206.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2550 (1.40MB)


This long distance Amtrak train moves slowly through Downers Grove. Power is 83, 96, and 51. Last part of the video is a still picture with the sound in the background.

VIDEO: http://railroadfan.com/gallery/displayi ... ?pos=-2548 (917KB)

Here is my Metra train to get back to Union Station. Left at 3:45pm and arrived at Union Station at 4:45pm and got on Amtrak 370 after 5pm to leave at 5:25pm.




I could have taken much better pictures but I decided to take videos for you guys. Memory stick space also limited how much video I could shoot.

I hoped you all ENJOYED my videos and pictures as I had a blast in the Windy City. How much did my day trip cost? $30.00 for 371 on the way down, $8.60 for 370, $7.40 for two Metra tickets, and $4.50 for a bottled water and 2 bags of pretzels on 370. Surprisingly wasn't hungry enough to eat any fast food.

Whoa! Thats a lot of trains! I have to go down there next time I'm in Chitown. Enjoyed the pictures but the videos will have to wait since I'm using a slow computer right now.

railroadfan wrote: The Amtrak station in Lansing is another good place to sit close to the tracks when they are at speed. We always back away from the benches when CN is on the close track.

Oh yeah. GTW runs trains through East Lansing at 50-60 Miles Per Hour. If you see them coming on the track closest to the station, GET OUT OF THERE FAST! I did sit on the bench recently when a train was on the close track and it not only blew me (and almost my hat) away, it scared me half to death!

wow. the videos were great... i truely do appreciate how much work you put into the videos and your effort to display these on various sites. Looks like a lot of fun down there.

railroadfan wrote:wow. the videos were great... i truely do appreciate how much work you put into the videos and your effort to display these on various sites. Looks like a lot of fun down there.

Thanks Zack a lot and for hosting them. When I have time I have some other videos from Chicagoland I could post.

I live right next to Downers Grove.

Andrew Barchifowski wrote:I live right next to Downers Grove.

Do you hang out at the Metra station?

Nice Photos. My uncle lives just west of the Main street station right on the mainline. Always great to head their for a vacation.