Brighton Park Junction
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brighton Park Junction , northeast of the intersection of Western Avenue and Archer Avenue , in the neighborhood of Brighton Park in Chicago, Illinois, is a major railroad junction, hosting 4 of the major Chicago freight railroads, (CSX Transportation, Canadian National Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, and BNSF Railway) who operate approximately 80 trains per day through the intersection.[1] The Canadian National line was formerly the main line of the Gulf Mobile & Ohio and its predecessor Alton Railroad and currently carries Metra Heritage Corridor commuter trains and Amtrak passenger trains to St Louis. The GM&O's Brighton Park passenger stop was at this location. The rail activity attracts trainspotters (railfans). The junction may be easily viewed from the CTA Orange Line trains that pass on a elevated structure immediately southeast
Brighton Park Junction is likely the only major railroad level junctions left in Chicago where trains are directed by manual (operated by a human switchtender), semaphore style railroad signals, and without interlocking (thus forcing all trains to stop at the intersection before proceeding). This is a good thing for trainspotters and photographers, but obviously impedes rail traffic.
In the future the it is planned to replace the current level junction with a flying junction, as part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE).
[edit] References
- ^ Gustason, Bill (2006). Brighton Park Crossing. Chicago Area Rail Junctions. Retrieved on 2006-07-20.
[edit] External links
- Chicago Rail Junctions: Brighton Park
- CREATE Project
- Photos of trains passing Brighton Park Junction at Railpictures.Net
 |
This Chicago-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Illinois state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This United States rail-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
