Railfanning in the Chicago Southland

Railfans love the Chicago Southland for its plurality of railfan spots! From double diamonds to the Pullman National Monument, a brewpub in an old Illinois Central rail station and one of the only places to see a double wye junction in the country, the Chicago Southland has it all. Many of these stops are located just minutes away from one another.

Pullman National Monument
Pullman Historic District and Pullman State Historic Site
11141 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago
From the "World's Most Perfect Town" in 1906, to near demolition in the mid-20th century, to a neighborhood revitalized in the present day, the saga of the Pullman Palace Car Company and neighborhood known as Pullman is on display at the Pullman Historic Society Visitors Center. The state park offers tours of the Pullman factory the 1st and 3rd Sundays, starting in May, at 11:30 a.m.

Blue Island Double Diamond
Broadway & Vine Streets, Blue Island
Described as one of the most fascinating rail watching hotspots in the Midwest, the Blue Island location features Canadian National, CSX, Iowa Interstate Railroad and Indiana Harbor Belt rail lines converging and crossing in a double diamond. About 90 trains come through the large steel bridges that cross the Cal-Sag Channel daily.

Dolton Junction
Lincoln & Park Avenues, Dolton
About 120 trains pass through Dolton every day and it is common to see two or three trains passing through simultaneously. Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Canadian Pacific and Canadian National occasionally run through Dolton on Indiana Harbor Belt and CSX tracks. About a half-mile west, the former Illinois Central main line, now Metra Electric and CN, passes over the Indiana Harbor Belt line. A great and legal viewing location is the public parking lot behind Dolton's City Hall.

Homewood Railroad Platform & Park
Ridge Road & Harwood Avenue, Homewood
Situated between the vibrant downtown area and the majestic Ravisloe Country Club, the Railroad Platform & Park is in the heart of the action in the Village of Homewood. The handicap-accessible railroad viewing platform gives an elevated view of the three types of tracks that cross Homewood, regional commuter (Metra), intercity rail (Amtrak), and freight. The platform also plays a live audio feed from the switchyard.

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery
1035 Sterling Avenue, Flossmoor
For rail fans, Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery is like a railroad museum that serves great food and craft beer. Located in the historic downtown district, Flossmoor Station serves a diverse heartland-style menu with award-winning handcrafted beers on tap. The brewpub sits in the original IC Flossmoor Station which was built in 1906. It was meticulously refurbished in the mid-1990s by Dean and Carol Armstrong. From the bar area, you can get an up-close view of the modern Metra Electric line as it stops at the new Flossmoor Station.

Park Forest Rail Fan Park
North & Homan Streets, Park Forest/Matteson
The railfan park features a 35-foot elevated handicapped accessible platform that overlooks a rare "highway cloverleaf interchange for trains." At both ends of the double track are wyes with a crossover between the tracks that permit trains to enter and exit the Park Forest cloverleaf in any direction.

Other Rail-Related Things to See & Do

Beecher Depot
Beecher Historical Society
620 Reed Street, Beecher
708-946-6218

The Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club
1311 South Schoolhouse Road – Unit 4, New Lenox
815-485-2588

Choo Choo Works Hobby Shop
9555 West Lincoln Highway, Frankfort
815-464-3314

New Lenox Train Depot
Konow’s Farm
16849 South Cedar Road, Homer Glen
708-301-8845

ChicagoSouthlandRail.com is your guide to railfanning in the Chicago Southland!