I can’t help but look both ways to see if a train is coming when crossing tracks. I search for places to get a great spot for that beauty shot (and not get a ticket). I’m really lucky to live in the Chicago area, this is a great place to be a fan of trains.
Part of the fun of the hunt is traveling through many small towns in Illinois. I enjoy exploring these towns and one side benefit is the discovery of new playgrounds for the Dangerous Playground Tour that I take the kids on yearly.
I also get to see how some small towns seem to be thriving and others not. Of course, many towns were tied to the railroad and have over the years lost that connection. Some town still has some industry but others have lost industry and their main street shows the pain. Towns like Rochelle and Homewood try to attract railfans by making parks at their major rail crossing, in the case of Rochelle, and high rail traffic at Markem Yards near Homewood.
Living near Chicago give me one perspective on development. As a member of the Orland Chamber of Commerce and one of its Past Presidents, I have a keen interest in Orland’s future development. It is also interesting to push out and see whats happening away from Chicago and its suburbs.
One of my all-time favs. Former Elgin Joliet and Eastern RR #666 at Frankfort
BNSF at Lockport
BNSF at Chillicothe north of Peoria
Union Pacific at Woodland Junction just south of Watseka
One last one… From Colorado near Estes Park.
