Blue Island, IL is located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. A major junction is located in Blue Island. The CN, IHB and CSX cross, Metra crosses on a bridge, and Iowa Interstate has a connection track. Power far from limited to those roads. NS, BNSF, UP, CP and the occasional Chicago Rail Link train can pass through this junction.
Rochelle, IL is where the BNSF and UP mainline cross. It is home to the Rochelle Railroad Park, open since 1998, and built due to the popularity of the diamond area even before the park existed. On average, Rochelle easily sees over 100 trains a day, with 70+ on the UP and 25-35 on the BNSF.
I've always been a fan of the smaller shortline and regional railroads. They are one of the main providers of vintage diesel power and keep some variety in railroads today. While they may not be as busy as class ones they are still interesting routes.
Iowa Interstate QJs 6988 and 7081 lead ICRI through Davenport. This is no fake photo freight, this is the real deal here! This is the longest steam powered freight of the 21st Century. Sorry I didn't film the whole thing, I chased him further down.
BNSF ES44DC 7663 leads a eastbound intermodal through LaGrange. You can see a Amtrak train through the cars near the beginning. Sorry about the shacky movement, the wind was howling this day!
