rail yards in chicago

Lots of tight turns, one way streets, and low bridges in the area. Have Fun!!

 

There's signs showing the rail. but you have to drive into the city. Going south just watch out of low bridge signs. If there's another container in front of you, he's most likely going to the same place

 

There really aren't signs per se saying "Railyard This Way" and with the exception of a couple, most are easy to get to. Like that map 8thnote posted, NorfolkSouthern 47th, is one of the easiest ones to get to. I-94,exit 47th st, go west, you're there. Others like the old UP off of Canal St, that can be tricky. Ask us which ramps you go, and we can help you get there.

Also, be careful when following another container or truck blindly in Chicago. Many a driver have bridged their trucked (hit a bridge) because they were blindly following another. Sometimes these other guys might have been pulling a shorter container or trailer. Just be careful I am saying.

 

I have not been to a rail yard since 1983, but one of my nostalgia keepsakes is the page of "Directions to Chicago Rail Road Ramps" provided by my employer at the time, R-W Service System. There are ten railroads plus REALCO and AVAILCO yards on one page. I know several new rail yards have been built in the suburbs since then.

My favorite is the entry for the empty trailer yard serving MO-PAC, L&N, and C&EI. From the R-W terminal in Gary, take I-94 (Dan Ryan) north to Pershing Road exit. West on Pershing Road to Halsted (approx. 1 mile). Caution: 13'7" viaduct, proceed at 5 mph with 4-ways flashing. North on Halsted 33rd Street (approx. 1/2 mile). East on 33rd to Canal Street (approx. 1/8 mile). South into trailer yard.

Here's another one: Burlington Northern. I-94 Dan Ryan to I-55 Stevenson x-way. I-55 S.W. to Cicero Ave. (approx 5 1/2 miles). North on Cicero to Ogden Ave. west (approx 1 3/4 miles). Follow signs closely. Exit Cicero to the right and circle left under overpasses; follow signs to Ogden-West/Cicero South, get on Cicero-South and go approx 1/8 mile; turn right on Ogden-West. West on Ogden Ave. to 5600 Block (approx. 1 mile). North into entrance.

There was a comment in Transport Topics last week about the horrible number of railroad crossings in the Chicago area. The railroad executive said that almost every train from the east coast, and every train from the west coast, goes through Chicago.

 

I've never been to that yard at 33rd & Canal but I do remember those directions to the BN yard in Cicero. We didn't call it the Spaghetti Bowl for nothing. Cicero has since cleaned up that interchange. The new dirs would be I-55, N on Cicero, L on Ogden. BAM! You're there.

I've heard that quote about all the trains going through Chicago before. I don't know about freight trains but speaking of intermodal only, the northeast coast trains seldom go past Chicago and likewise the West Coast trains don't really pass Chicago. That is where crosstown carriers come in. Every container has to be trucked to another rail yard. I heard it is something like 3,000 trailer moves a day.

 

Youll find this helpful.



View attachment ChicagoIntermodalTerminalsMap-IAC.pdf

 

Anyone give me some info on NS Landers? yard 74th western?
Where do you enter 79th. st. or off western?
Been there many times but that was 20 yrs ago.
Any other tip would be great

 

You enter off Western. The address is 7600 S. Western. Go through the portal, get in line. If you don't have a NS id assigned, when you get to the kiosk, push the red button and pick up the phone and tell them you don't have an ID. They'll probably will tell you to head to the Driver Services Building or Driver Assistance Building. That is immediately to the left of where all the check-in kiosks are. When the gate opens make a sharp left and you'll see the little building.

The Driver Services Building is in Lot M. Leaving Lot M, going southwest, along the track, Lot T is on your left, further down is Lot G. G is most likely you will find your load. Lots M and T are mainly for inbound loads.

Leaving: after Lot T and before you get to the hostler/maintence building, you will see another portal, like the one you went through coming in. Go through that, check out through the kiosk. If picking up a load, you will need a four digit release #, also you will need to know your box, chassis, and seal number. The exit dumps you out on 79th between Western and Kedzie.