We continued north where Hwy 29 splits to the NNE and travels under I-180. Just as we made the turn we caught two EMD units headed southbound. I jumped out of the car to snap a quick photo, but it wasn't a great shot as the overgrowth of bush and weeds was a little much in this area. I read later on the Iowa Interstate Facebook page that the two units were working BF Goodrich and Poly One in Henry. I'm assuming this was the Iowa Interstate's (IAIS) BUSW (Bureau Switcher job).
Shortly after passing under I-180, we arrived in Bureau. I was excited as originally I didn't think we would get to see Bureau as one of my mappings previously showed us crossing the IL river and heading up the east side. My wife Carrie was navigating and sent us up the west side of the river following the tracks. She makes a great co-pilot!
Bureau Junction, Illinois
Bureau Junction is where the east-west mainline meets the Peoria branch. It is at Milepost 114.2 (same on the Peoria Branch and east-west Mainline). Note: we are 114.2 miles from Chicago which is the easternmost terminus of the line.
As you drive up Highway 29, this is what you see as you cross the tracks into Bureau. This is looking east toward the station.
This is an old Rock Island signal still present, but not active.
Just east of the yard office in the first photo, there are a few tracks that lead off to the south of the mainline that are used for storage and I suppose car repair.
We drove through town and back down to the mainline to find the junction and the Bureau depot. It isn't quite what imagined, but pretty neat.
Here is the Rock Island Bureau Junction Depot.
Looking southwest toward the station from Nebraska Street.
To the left is the RI Peoria Branch south.
To the right is the RI Mainline west to Silvis.
There is a section of green grass between the tracks and the houses along Chicago Street which parallels the RI Mainline.
North face of the station along the RI East-West Mainline.
North face of the station along the RI East-West Mainline.
South face of the station along the RI Peoria Branch.
Looking south on the Peoria Branch.
Looking north on the Peoria Branch to the Junction of the East-West Mainline.
South face of the station along the RI Peoria Branch.
South face of the station along the RI Peoria Branch.
East face door under the canopy.
East face of the station.
Left is the Peoria Branch south.
Right is the Mainline west to Silvis (Quad Cities area).
Here is the Junction of the East-West Mainline (left) and Peoria Branch
(Looking east toward Chicago)
East face of the station.
Left is the Peoria Branch south.
Right is the Mainline west to Silvis (Quad Cities area).
East face of the station.
Left is the Peoria Branch south.
Right is the Mainline west to Silvis (Quad Cities area).
One thing I failed to do was photograph some of the buildings in town along Nebraska Street in case I ever model this area.
I am Sooooooo jealous!
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for the photos of the ballast, it's about the color I plan to use.
Woodland Scenics fine - 2 parts gray, 1 part light gray.
Looks like a great time.
But, wait! There's more!! LOL!
Delete