Chicagoland Junction Series: Railgrinder And More At Ash St Crossing, Chicago, IL. 10-7-09.

Like NERSKA, Ash Street is another obscure but busy junction not often visited by railfans. Several trains rumble through this junction a day, but it was even busier at one time. The bridge that stands furthest West used to belong to the PRR. The tracks leading to the bridge have long been gone and the bridge stands defunct. The two other bridges are still in use however, belonging to the Ex. NYC NS Chicago Junction Line and the CSXT/B&OCT Blue Island Subdivision which turns into the Barr Sub at Blue Island. These two lines parellel each other and cross the BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision at grade. The BNSF is pretty quiet here since we are East of Corwith Yard. Traffic is pretty limited to trackage rights movements and transfers to and from the several other yards in the area. At one time, there used to be an operating tower here too. It was closed less than a decade ago but still stands with a razor-wire fence surrounding it. With the classy bridges over the Chicago river to the abandoned tower, Ash is more than a place to watch trains, but a historical reminder to the classic era of railroading.

This is my second time at Ash. The first time, I caught nothing despite my hour of waiting. I must have played my cards right this time around though. I give credit to Youtuber BNSFMEC for the history on the defunct bridge.

5:15PM-
Daylight is getting shorter as we get closer to Winter so getting daylight shots in the evening will be harder. This UP intermodal takes the NS across the spans where it will most likely hook up to the Chicago Line at Calumet Yard.
UP ES44DC #7692
UP SD70M #3843
UP SD70M #3812

5:39PM-
Another UP trackage rights train out of the Canal St. Yard arrives on the NS, but then switches to the CSX further down. This train was snagged by a Metra Heritage Corridor train on the CN/IC Joliet Subdivision South at the Brighton Park Junction.
UP SD70M #4594
UP ES44AC #5524
UP SD70M #3969
UP SD70M #4985

5:55PM-
A low-lunar on the CSX meant the Harsco Rail Grinder sitting short of the bridges was about to get moving, and cross over from the NS. As I hoped, this behemoth on rails was actually in operation as it passed us, spewing sparks and smoke everywhere.
RMSX #1012

(c) 9th Street Productions.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• NS
• CSX
• CSXT
• BNSF
• CN
• NYC
• B&OCT
• B&O
• Ash
• St
• Street
• Brighton
• Park
• NERSKA
• Chicago
• Junction
• Crossing
• Blue
• Island
• Corwith
• Railroad
• Tower
• Bridge
• Train
• Railfan
• Foamer

[TBirdSCIL]

lastI heard this crossing had extremely limited access? Isn't it a no trespassing area?

[BoxcarFrank]

There are no signs posted, but the area is pretty easy to get to. Theres an access road right by a public boat landing that leads to the crossing. The crossing and surrounding land is railroad owned, but I never had a problem here.

[GhostFearMe]

awesome vid!

i consider the railgrinder the holy grail of railfanning

[BoxcarFrank]

Haha, it's definately a cool machine. My non railfan friend was with me and got a kick out of it.

[ChicagoGringo]

For those not familiar, WEST is to the LEFT on the opening shot.

[gebass6]

@modemeyes I was there back in '99.It's pretty safe during the day,but I wouldn't hang around after dark.26th and California is a few blocks away!

[theFleX1435]

Nice catch! Looks like a great spot.

Tho, the NS/CSX cross the old IC Freeport line. Just west of the crossing, the Chillicothe Sub. becomes single track and curves south, connecting with the NS.

[modemeyes]

Great Vid! It really captures the atmosphere of the working railroad & it looks a good safe place for railfans.

[ucvgabe]

now THATS gotta be the best railfan spot evr

[dragonhighlorde]

Thanks for posting this location! I have never really seen it myself, so this makes for good viewing!

[DL2045]

bare tables are the best

[GhostFearMe]

my dad who also railfans with me thinks the railgrinder is the coolest machine ever..he wants to see one really bad