Union Station Railfanning

[NickThatRailfan]

So I'm going to Chicago on the 14th, we are taking Amtrak out of Waterloo to Chicago. We plan on spending a bit at the Roosevelt St overpass for some action in the yard to see some Dash 8's and heritage units. Later on we are gonna move up to N Canal St right there on the curve at the north entrance/exit to Union Station. How many trains roughly would cross N Canal St a day? Amtrak has a good chunk with the ones up to Milwaukee and back and the Empire Builders.

[SD80MAC]

On a weekday, that's a pretty busy crossing. You'd see both Amtrak Empire Builders, plus the new Borealis trains, and the Hiawathas. You'd also see all of the Metra Milwaukee north and west district commuter trains.

[NickThatRailfan]

On a weekday, that's a pretty busy crossing. You'd see both Amtrak Empire Builders, plus the new Borealis trains, and the Hiawathas. You'd also see all of the Metra Milwaukee north and west district commuter trains.

Yes I saw new Borealis symbols 1333(?) And 1340(?) I wasnt sure about Metra. All I know is it is a busy crossing. We won't be out there all day, only until we get lunch then we are going to West Chicago and Downers Grove

[Saturnalia]

On a weekday, that's a pretty busy crossing. You'd see both Amtrak Empire Builders, plus the new Borealis trains, and the Hiawathas. You'd also see all of the Metra Milwaukee north and west district commuter trains.

Yes I saw new Borealis symbols 1333(?) And 1340(?) I wasnt sure about Metra. All I know is it is a busy crossing. We won't be out there all day, only until we get lunch then we are going to West Chicago and Downers Grove

FWIW Canal Street and Roosevelt Road are best during the rush hours. Roosevelt Road is much, much better than Canal during the midday, with a lot more action since Amtrak keeps running consistently all day.

Canal Street is ok outside of the rush, but it doesn't have all of the meets and races that are common during the rushes.

[GP30M4216]

So I'm going to Chicago on the 14th, we are taking Amtrak out of Waterloo to Chicago. We plan on spending a bit at the Roosevelt St overpass for some action in the yard to see some Dash 8's and heritage units. Later on we are gonna move up to N Canal St right there on the curve at the north entrance/exit to Union Station. How many trains roughly would cross N Canal St a day? Amtrak has a good chunk with the ones up to Milwaukee and back and the Empire Builders.

Bring sunscreen if you plan to be on Roosevelt overpass for any length of time. There isn’t even a square inch of shade to be found up there! You’ll see all the scheduled Amtrak and Metra arrivals and departures plus all the moves heading too and from their respective yards.

Canal Street crossing is, as has been said, a bit less busy, but there is still plenty of traffic to see and some interesting photo angles to be had especially as the sun moves across the sky. Keep an eye on the Borealis power, there’s one trainset with a P32 and a Phase 7 at the moment. Hiawatha consists ping pong back and forth between MKE and CHI several times each day. At least one of them has recently been running with an NPCU, Veterans 90221, the only line in the Midwest currently fielding one of these. Enjoy your time and let us know what you see!

[NickThatRailfan]

So I'm going to Chicago on the 14th, we are taking Amtrak out of Waterloo to Chicago. We plan on spending a bit at the Roosevelt St overpass for some action in the yard to see some Dash 8's and heritage units. Later on we are gonna move up to N Canal St right there on the curve at the north entrance/exit to Union Station. How many trains roughly would cross N Canal St a day? Amtrak has a good chunk with the ones up to Milwaukee and back and the Empire Builders.

Bring sunscreen if you plan to be on Roosevelt overpass for any length of time. There isn’t even a square inch of shade to be found up there! You’ll see all the scheduled Amtrak and Metra arrivals and departures plus all the moves heading too and from their respective yards.

Canal Street crossing is, as has been said, a bit less busy, but there is still plenty of traffic to see and some interesting photo angles to be had especially as the sun moves across the sky. Keep an eye on the Borealis power, there’s one trainset with a P32 and a Phase 7 at the moment. Hiawatha consists ping pong back and forth between MKE and CHI several times each day. At least one of them has recently been running with an NPCU, Veterans 90221, the only line in the Midwest currently fielding one of these. Enjoy your time and let us know what you see!

Thanks for the warning lol. But yes the Roosevelt Rd overpass I liked becuase you can get the Chicago skyline in the back. When it comes to Canal St I liked the curve going under the other Metra line which would make for some good angles.