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| UP and IC Operation Lifesaver leading an Autorack on the NS line |
Hannibal Missouri
Immediately for most people hearing the name congers up images of Mark Twain but the small riverside town
has much more to offer than just a tourist attraction for historians and Literary lovers, Railroads have been running through
Hannibal since most of the town's history. The railroad runs along the river through downtown. Parking and food are close
and a park built on the earth flood wall provides a great slightly elevated location to watch trains.
The NS mainline with traffic from Chicago, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne to Kansas City crosses the
Mississippi River a mile or two North of downtown. The line crosses over the BNSF line running parallel to the River, then
curves south and parallels the BNSF line, connection tracks allow NS trains to transfer to the BNSF as NS also has trackage
rights on the BNSF Hannibal Sub to St. Louis. The BNSF continues South while the NS line curves West to KC on the South end
of town. The location is a unique and relaxing location to railfan! About 30-60 trains run through the area depending on the
day and time of year. The days that we've visited Hannibal, the line has been very busy. Location
Rating 9
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| BNSF bound for Chicago crosses the UP line |
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| UP line at Rochelle |
Rochelle Illinois is one of the top railroad diamonds
in the US. Two major lines from Chicago run through the rural town about 1.5 hrs west of Chi town. The BNSF line
runs NW-SE direction through the town while the UP main runs East-West, the two cross at grade infront at the Rochelle Railroad
Park. Complete with a viewing balcony with a roof, scanner, and benches and a gift shop with restrooms. UP also
has a fairly new intermodal facility just West of the diamonds which has increased traffic over recent years. About 80-100
trains can be expected daily. Location Rating 9
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