Often I muse when stopped at a crossing with a long freight rumbling through, "I am probably the only person in the line-up of automobiles who is enjoying himself!"
I always look for trains when driving anywhere near a right of way. I have a number of favorite gawking spots - West Chicago, IL crossing of CN/UP (ex "J" and CNW), Joliet Union Station, BNSF Eola Yard, either east throat or west, and BNSF Metra Stations in Naperville (major Amtrak station), Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Highlands, LaGrange and Riverside, plus Rondout (CP/CN - former Milw/J). All are heavy on action, with large numbers of train movements. Like to reflect on these spots from earlier times and like to see the latest advances in equipment. For me, there is still plenty of drama in the movement of heavy trains, pulled by high horsepower locomotives. Once railroading infects the blood stream, it just won't exit!
