Joliet Union Station - Joliet, IL - Active Rail Locations on Waymarking.com

Rail fans can watch both freight and passenger trains at the Joliet Union Station. This location provides some creature comforts. Early morning watchers can purchase some coffee and treats from the coffee shop inside. But more importantly, when the station is open (5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. weekdays), bathroom facilities are available. Lastly there are benches along the building if you get tired with all your train watching. You can access to the platform without entering the station, as long as you do not need wheelchair access.

On the BNSF tracks (the double-tracked, north-south line), long BNSF trains with cargo containers, auto carriers, and coal make frequent passes past the station. The best is seeing a whole line of John Deere's on their way out. A few other lines use this segment as well, so a Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern or an Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern are not uncommon.

Passenger trains can also be found on the BNSF tracks. The Metra Heritage Corridor line begins here in Joliet with 3 trains departing for Chicago Union Station in the morning and 3 arriving back here in the evening. Amtrak also uses Joliet Union Station as a stop for the "Ann Rutledge" to Kansas City, "State House" to St. Louis, and the "Texas Eagle" to Los Angeles with other major stops in Dallas and San Antonio. The highlight of watching an Amtrak is the possibility of a seeing a unique private car or two (the most I've seen is 4).

The Rock Island District line (the single track east-west line) does not get as much freight traffic. A few CSX trains and Iowa Interstate trains each day is about all this line can handle. Most of rail traffic consists of frequent Metra Rock Island District passenger trains. Twenty three of these trains originate from Joliet each weekday - with only 8-10 on weekends and holidays.

With the exception of the John Deere photo, all photos were taken around noon on the day this waymark was listed. So three trains rolled by in a 15 minute span. The best part is because there is so much rail traffic here, trains do have to stop to let crossing traffic go through. This allows for some great stationary photo opportunities so you do not have to worry about blurry images.

What Best Describes This Location: Mainline Is this rail location handicap accessible?: Elevator is provided during Metra hours Related website: [Web Link] Other Describe: Not listed If there is a fee how much?: Not Listed

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