Moving to Champaign

Hiya forum,

After two wonderful years living on the NEC in Maryland and railfanning EVERYTHING there is to see within 100 miles, I'm moving out to scenic Illinois.

What I'd love from the knowedgable posters here, is a breif history of the town's rails, and some great spots to watch the action around Champaign, (and in nearby places).

As a native east-coaster, I'm really looking forward to the photographic opportunities of the midwest, and to seeing some good big-time railroading.

Thanks!

-Matt

First, welcome to my hometown of Champaign-Urbana!
We have two rail lines that run through Champaign-Urbana. One is the Canadian National/Illinois Central “Mainline of Mid-America” which runs from Chicago to New Orleans. The other is a NS branch line that runs from Mansfield (30 miles west) to Urbana, Champaign’s Eastern Neighbor.

The Illinois Central line was the first rail line through Champaign when it was built in the mid 1800s. Very little has changed on this line, although it was reduced to a single track mainline through Champaign. The CNIC has a mid-sized yard on the north side of town, and the line averages over 20 trains a day. Also, we have 4 Amtrak trains daily to Chicago, Carbondale, and New Orleans.

The line that NS runs on in Urbana is the old Peoria & Eastern, a subsidiary of the Big Four, which became the NYC. This line was built about 10 years after the Illinois Central Line. The P&E and Wabash ran side-by-side as they crossed the IC main south of Bradley Ave. In the later years, the P&E and Wabash actually merged their trackage together. Near the east side of Urbana, the Wabash swung southeast to Sidney, where it joined up with the mainline. NS tore up the Danville-Urbana segment in 1996 after they had bought it from Conrail.

Because the CNIC line runs straight through Champaign, there are many locations to watch the trains. The Yard on the north side is easily accessible, however it may not be a good idea to visit after dark. Also, CNIC runs a daily local through town to a local Kraft Plant. Occasionally, this train will serve grain elevators west of town. This line also has quite a few opportunities to watch the trains.

If one heads a few miles south on US 45, which parallels the Illinois Central Tracks, you can see some action at the NS/IC diamond in Tolono, and UP action in Tuscola where it crosses the Illinois Central Tracks. UP also maintains a small Yard in Villa Grove, which is about 18 miles south of Urbana.

Sorry about the long post, feel free to ask more questions.

Great information. Thanks!!

Down 45 in the town of Flora,IL in Clay County where US 45/50 meet it runs right along downtown, the CSX IL Subdivision runs east to west and west to east. The line has variety of traffic, usually CSX or UP loaners, an occasional BNSF, or BN engine. They run several some mornings other mornings not alot. Lately they have put in new grade crossings so lots of MOW equipment in the area, they also have an original Depot which is being refurbished to become a tourist attraction and the old roundhouse is still standing but not open to the public.

Salem,IL on US RT 50 West of Flora on the eastern edge of Salem if you follow Edgewood Rd or Drive not sure back north and a few miles you will find the UP yard, this yard has several tracks and activity. Lots of MOW equipment usually too. Once you get to the Salem city limits sign you have just crossed over a bridge, the next road north will be the road to take it is after a lawnmower place called DUIS's service or something like that. Good luck and happy hunting.