hotspots1

Railfan Locations in Southeast Wisconsin and Elsewhere

Hopefully the information contained below will help in finding the rail activity in the area. Please remember to STAY OFF the railroad right-of-way. Always railfan safely so that everyone can enjoy. Author is not responsible for any changes that may have happened at a location after he visited. Author is also not responsible for any wrong directions. Directions given were the best known. If there are any errors please let me so that they can be corrected. Thanks Keith

Milwaukee, WI Waterford Avenue

Waterford Avenue is located on the south side of Milwaukee. It is a grade crossing on the Canadian Pacific mainline between Milwaukee and Chicago, IL. It is a very popular spot for local railfans to gather and watch trains. There are several reasons for its popularity. One is that the street does not have alot of traffic. Another is that there is a grade that starts for eastbound trains as they leave the Milwaukee yards. The crest of the hill just before the grade crossing so many of the eastbound trains are moving quite slow. A third is that just north of the grade crossing is a nice curve which makes a great photo spot. The number of trains that pass through is between 30-40. Amtrak accounts for 6 round trips of its "Hiawatha" commuter service to Chicago, IL. Amtrak also sends the "Empire Builders" through daily in the early afternoon. Freight trains come at various times throughout the day.
If you happen to visit Waterford Ave on Friday evening you will probably meet me. I tend to show up every Friday to visit with friends and railfans. WARNING - Waterford Ave is now a "No Whistle" crossing a barrier was put up so no one can go around the gates. This resulted in "No Parking" zones
about 200ft in both directions from the tracks. So bring a scanner so as not to miss any trains.

Directions - If coming in on I-94 from the west stay on I-94 through the Marquette Interchange and you will be heading south. Exit at Howard Ave. Turn left on Howard Ave and go west 2 blocks to 6th street (stoplight). Turn left on 6th st and go south 2 blocks to Waterford Ave. Take Waterford Ave west to the RR Tracks.

Photo of e/b Amtrak Hiawatha, on the curve north of x-ing Aug 1995

Milwaukee, WI Butler Yard

Butler Yard is a crew change point on the Union Pacific (former CNW) Adams Line. The yard is visible from the Hampton Avenue bridge. Looking south from Hampton Ave the yard tracks can be seen. Here crews separate cars that arrive. Looking north from Hampton Ave the service side of the yard can be seen. Light engine repairs can be done. Often power from the Sheboygan Power Plant coal trains can be seen laying over. Several local trains also originate from Butler Yard. Traffic has tapered off to 10-12 trains per day. The Hampton Ave bridge was recently rebuilt and a fence was put up. So the open views of the yard are not available from the bridge.

Directions - If coming in on I-94 from the west take Hwy 45 north in the Zoo interchange. Stay on Hwy 45 north until Hampton Ave. Exit Hampton and turn Left. After the first stoplight you will be on the bridge. If coming I-94 east take I-894 west/north. Stay on Hwy 45 north in the Zoo interchange. Stay on Hwy to Hampton Ave and exit and follow directions above.

Photo taken from Hampton Ave. Photo is from 1991 so it was still CNW then. Yard building has been torn down.

Duplainville, WI

Duplainville is located about 20 miles west of Milwaukee. Duplainville is the location of a diamond crossing of the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National (former Wisconsin Central). Duplainville sees an average of 40-50 per day between the two railroads. The CP trains can be seen at almost any time of day. Amtrak runs the "Empire Builders" in each direction daily in the early afternoon. Canadian National trains can number about the same as the CP. The CN is working on double tracking the line from Fond du Lac south. Usually in the late morning the CN runs its transfer job into Milwaukee. Also the Wisconsin & Southern runs a southbound train through in the early morning. There is a high speed turnout connecting the 2 lines. The area of the diamond is below track level and is visited often by police who will ask you to leave. Both sets of tracks have grade crossings not far from the diamond. A tower used to stand at the diamond. It was tore down several years ago.

Directions - Take I-94 west out of Milwaukee. Exit at Hwy Fand turn right. Head north on Hwy F to the second stoplight. That light should be Duplainville Rd. Turn right and take it to the CP tracks. The CN tracks are just east of Duplainville Rd.
Photo still shows the tower. These are to CP tracks looking east.

Sturtevant, WI

The depot at Sturtevant, WI is a great place see the mainline action on the Canadian Pacific. The depot is located on Hwy H just north of Hwy 11 in Sturtevant. When the Milwaukee Road was running the same line in the early 1900's Sturtevant was know as Corliss. It was point where the Southwest Limited would cut off and begin its southwest journey. There is still a wye at Sturtevant. The branchline which used to be the route of the Southwest Limited is now mainly a track to store cars. Trains through Sturtevant number about 30-40. Amtrak "Hiawatha" trains stop at Sturtevant on their 6 round trips daily. The "Empire Builders" will pass through in the early afternoon. Freight trains can be seen anytime. Signals in both directions are a great help. Across the street from the depot is a small museum with a Milw Road caboose on display. I think it is open on various weekends through out the year. When it is open there are people inside ready to share stories of the good old days. There is also a family restuarant across from the depot.

Directions - Take I-94 south/east out of Milwaukee and exit at Hwy 11. Turn right and head east on Hwy 11. After crossing the RR tracks turn left on Hwy H. Take Hwy H north to the depot parking lot. There is usually plenty of parking.

Photo shows the depot at nite in Nov 2000.

Byron Hill Fond du Lac, WI

Byron Hill is a favorite spot for railfans in Southern Wisconsin. It is an easy spot to find and is quite photogenic. The favorite shot is usually shot from the bridge over the tracks on Hwy F. The bridge was recently rebuilt to accomodate Canadian National double tracking the line. The double tracking was done due to increased traffic. The number of trains seen can vary from 20-30 per day. At one time Byron Hill was the only helper district in the state of Wisconsin. Today helpers can still be seen occasionally. They are usually used on the heavy taconite trains. The helpers are usually coupled to the rear of the train in Fond du Lac and then cut off just south of the bridge in Byron. Photo below was taken in April 2003.

Directions - Take Hwy 45 north out of Milwaukee. Exit at Hwy 49. Turn left on Hwy 49 and go west to Hwy 175. Turn right and take Hwy 175 north to Hwy F. You will cross the RR tracks about 1/2 mile before Hwy F. Turn left on Hwy F and go west to the bridge.

Rochelle Railfan Park , Rochelle, IL

This is a must stop for any railfan passing through or living in the midwest. If you like trains and lots of them its a great place. The city of Rochelle graciously built an open air shelter for railfans to come and watch trains slam across the diamonds in their town. The shelter was finished about 2 years ago. The shelter sits above the track so it is at about engineer level. There is a fenced in area that extends out toward the diamonds. In that area is a hobo jungle area and a pit for a fire. Inside the shelter there are picnic benches to sit and relax. A scanner hooked to external speakers announces the approach of most trains. There is a hobby shop at the entrance to the parking lot. It not only sells hobby items but it sells cold sandwiches, snacks and soda pop for the hungry ones. Weekends can get very busy. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and when I arrived at about 1pm there was no parking spots available in the lot. The tracks were also very busy. Between 1pm and 8pm that day I saw 40 trains between the BNSF and UP. In any given 24 hour period 100+ trains can be seen. The UP tends to run more trains than the BNSF. There is a guest book for people to sign and leave comments. It is rare to see a negative comment.

Directions - Take I-43 (Rock Freeway) west out of Milwaukee to Beloit. At Beloit take I-39 south into Illinois until Hwy 38. Take Hwy 38 and head west in Rochelle. Stay on Hwy 38 until you have to turn left or right. Go left it is now Jones Rd. The road will turn left and become Ninth Ave. Stay on Ninth southbound until the UP tracks.

Check Out the Action - LIVE

Trains Magazine has set up video camera on top of the shelter which provides streaming video of the action at Rochelle, IL. The video updates every 2-3 seconds. Click below on the TRAINS logo and click on the Webcams links and then go to the Rochelle Webcam

Click Above to see LIVE trains at Rochelle

Click to return to Main Page

Sturtevant now has a NEW Amtrak Depot. The new depot is located south of Hwy 20. The exit north of Hwy 11. The depot is at the end of an industrial park. There is parking available. Also a pedestrian walkway goes over the CP tracks. I haven't been down there yet to get some photos, but hopefully I will get there soon.