side tracked in Waterman

On our way out west to Rochelle, I spotted a sign advertising Sunday afternoon train rides at a park in the small town of Waterman. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out of the car, stretch our legs, and enjoy something different -- the kind of spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment activity that makes a loosely-scheduled vacation road trip so enjoyable.

Waiting to take a ride on the Waterman & Western park train: Waterman, IL

a curious logo

At the station, M tried out the engineer's seat...

... but he had to ride "coach".

"Action shot".

"Roster shot" - Waterman & Western Railroad - Waterman, IL

Leaving the station.

Best of all, we made it back to the BNSF tracks before we missed any trains. Coming next... a special locomotive display at the Railroad Days celebration in Rochelle. Stay tuned...

WSC

np: Hank Williams - "I'd still want you"

The Road to Rochelle

By early afternoon, we were trackside on the BNSF Aurora Subdivision, part of my current dispatching territory (I work 2nd shift on the C&I desk). I always enjoy getting a first-hand look at rail ops on lines I have dispatched. Within an hour, a westbound Z-train showed up...

Running hot for Portland, the Z CHCPTL races through Big Rock

We took our time driving to Rochelle, stopping for photo ops at towns along the way.

Looking west at Hinckley.

Ghost signs at Shabbona. Dig that Schlitz logo!

We're not in Texas anymore...

Steward, Illinois is Old Style country.

Steward depot

Rochelle, IL: "a hub city"

The city of Rochelle features a busy railroad crossing where BNSF's Aurora Sub (former CB&Q between Chicago and the Twin Cities) intersects with Union Pacific's east-west main (former C&NW) running west from Chicago. There's also some local industry and warehousing, along with UP's recently constructed "Global 3" intermodal facility.


Westbound UP freight crosses the Rochelle diamonds. UP traffic outnumbered BNSF moves by a sizeable margin during our visit.

"No clearance" sign near an old industry spur in Rochelle.

Stay tuned for more, coming soon...

WSC