Interactive Map

Weather

Aerial Image

Frequency:  CN 10-20, CSX 20-30, IAIS 1-2, IHB 30+, METRA 62 M-F/20 Sa/16 Su Click here for Metra Rock Island Distirct Schedule

Radio Frequencies:  CN, CSX, IAIS, IHB, METRA

Personal Safety:  Fair in day/Bad at night *see below*

Local Police/RR Police:  Blue Island PD / RR police *see below*

Food:  You name it.

Misc Info:  This is the only place that I know of where the tower operator's job is to lower the crossing gates across the road to stop traffic.  A total of 8 tracks cross Broadway:  2 CSX, 2 IHB, 2 GT, 1 IAIS (Lumber Yard lead) and 1 transfer between IAIS Lumber Yard lead and the GT.

Police:  There is a gate tower operator present 24 hours a day.  You can get great shots from the sidewalks along the street or by staying close to the tower, but don't wander.  If you cross the maze of tracks anywhere but the sidewalk you might be talking to the law real quick.

Safety:  Enter the area from the east off of Western Av.  It goes downhill as you go west along Broadway.  Broadway can get busy with traffic along with the large number of trains - be alert!

Good photo times:  Better shots of southbound moves.  Northbound trains will have the sun behind them except later in the afternoon/evening during summer.  Metra is tricky (usually better during the summer when the sun is higher: late afternoon/early evening  for shooting outbounds, morning for inbounds).

Photo Tip:  You will need a zoom lense to shoot Metra from the crossing gate tower on Broadway.