Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

One of the more challenging locations in the Chicago area (at least for me) is the BNSF bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in Forest View, IL. First, even though it is easily seen from I-55 (Stevenson Expy.) it's a bit of a puzzle just to get to. Then there is the matter of a train when the lighting is good. Last Sunday, everything came together. I was crossing over the main on First Avenue when I spotted an eastbound train and decided to give it a try. The trick is you have to get on the westbound on-ramp to I-55 at Harlem Avenue and stay to the right where another ramp to the right takes one back to ground level and a hairpin turn back east. Following this road takes you to a grade crossing where one can see the bridge.

I was helped somewhat by congestion on the BNSF as there was another train slowly heading east. As it cleared the grade crossing, a westbound stack train led by two CSX motors passed by. A few minutes after that train cleared the bridge the eastbound BNSF train arrived.

---

---

---

Interesting photos and indeed, a tricky place to find!!

Time to spray some Silver Rust-Oleum on that bridge!

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

When you do get to the spot you were at to take those photos,be prepared to stay awhile,sometimes hours! The last crossing you go across is considered a private crossing and is sometimes blocked for hours by trains waiting to get into Corwith or accepted by interchange partners at Ash St/ Draper. I'm sure you know that,but the uninitiated might get a big surprise.

Tom

towazy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The last crossing you go across is
> considered a private crossing and is sometimes
> blocked for hours by trains waiting to get into
> Corwith or accepted by interchange partners at Ash
> St/ Draper.

The spot I took the photos from is before the grade crossing. But you're right, that crossing can be blocked for a long time.

towazy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When you do get to the spot you were at to take
> those photos,be prepared to stay awhile,sometimes
> hours! The last crossing you go across is
> considered a private crossing and is sometimes
> blocked for hours by trains waiting to get into
> Corwith or accepted by interchange partners at Ash
> St/ Draper. I'm sure you know that,but the
> uninitiated might get a big surprise.
>

Escape the other way to Cicero Ave, or is that blocked somewhere between?

TAW

The road goes all the way through to Cicero but it can get really rough to drive on.

Posted from Android