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Peck Park

 

Although not an official railfan park, and may I add, the City of Galesburg is really missing out on this one.  The once unused area that corners the two of the most heavily traffic rail lines in Galesburg (and this part of Illinois) is now a local park.  Peck Park could be an ok place to kick a ball around, or even try out your soft-ball skills, but most of the visitors that come to this park are here to see trains!  As far as train-watching goes, this location will win anyone’s A++ list.  Located at the junction of two BNSF mainlines, this is where the former Santa Fe mainline passes under the former Burlington Northern mainline. 

 It’s very seldom that there are quiet times in this park.  I personally have been at this park several times where I caught 25+ trains during a 3 to 4 hour visit.  The Santa Fe main alone offers 60-70 trains during a 24-hour period, the BN line is around 30-40 at this location, plus you often will get Galesburg yard trains coming east for head room out of the yard, it’s nice hearing a sole SD40-2 pushing 100+ cars back into the yard at 5-mph.  Mid to late afternoon provides the best light for the BN line trains from the park, as the Santa Fe line has good light most of the day.

 

Location info:

Town / City: Galesburg, IL

Location Name:   Peck Park

Railroad(s):  BNSF Railway / Amtrak (Amtrak on the former BN line)

Rail Traffic:  Both very busy mainlines, former Santa Fe line hosts 60-70 trains daily, the BN mainline hosts 30-40 daily.  Amtrak passes 8 times a day, mostly during daylight.

Site Details:   An open grass, hilly area with a tree and two picnic tables.  Gravel parking area.  No fences, but please keep off the tracks!

Restrooms on site:  Yes (a single portable)

Food:  Not on site or within walking distance.  Galesburg has a wide variety of restaurant choices.  Mini-marts, fast food, take out, or sit down restaurants are just a short drive away.

Picnic Area:  Yes, Three picnic tables on site, two under a pavilion near the parking lot, the other near the ATSF mainline.

Parking:  Free parking in unpaved gravel parking lot.

Lighted for evening railfanning:  No

Scanner Frequencies:  BNSF (BN main) 161.385   / BNSF (ATSF main) 160.650 / BNSF Yard (BN) 160.385

Motels / Hotels:  Americas Best Value Inn in Galesburg is an excellent motel to watch the passing trains, it’s listed on RailfanMotels.com website (click Illinois, then Galesburg). 

 

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Galesburg Railroad Museum / Amtrak Station

The Galesburg Railroad Museum is located along side the Amtrak station, both of the train station style buildings they operate out of don't combine in age of the newer looking Santa Fe Galesburg train station building that BNSF demolished a few years back.  However, both of these buildings are a fine addition to Galesburg.  The museum has limited hours, the fenced in property has a Burlington Route steam locomotive, caboose, baggage car and combine displayed.  While not visiting the museum, the old station platform that runs along the museum to the Amtrak station is a great and relaxing area to watch trains.  Photography can easily be achieved with light being best during mid to late afternoon.  Those that like night photography can practice their skills of an Amtrak train stopping at the station.

 

Location info:

Town / City: Galesburg, IL

 

Location Name: Galesburg Railroad Museum / Amtrak Station

 

Railroad(s):  BNSF Railway / Amtrak 

 

Rail Traffic:  30-40 trains daily.  Amtrak passes 8 times a day, mostly during daylight.  Additional BNSF trains be seen depart / arriving Galesburg yard heading to / from the connection to the Santa Fe mainline.

 

Site Details:   The old train station platform (brick) offers a safe and legal place to catch the action on the former Burlington Northern mainline.  The platform is a distance away from the two-active tracks (tracks that once ran along the brick platform were removed in the 1980's).  Most trains pass the station at a slow speed, which make that 30-40 trains a day feel like much more.  Unlike other locations, its not possible to watch the passing trains from your automobile, but picnic tables by the Amtrak station will provide a place to rest while watching trains.

 

Restrooms on site:  Yes, in Amtrak station building or Museum when open.

 

Food:  Amtrak station has vending machines on site.  The only restaurant within walking distance is the Packing House Restaurant, well recommended!   Galesburg has a wide variety of restaurant choices.  Mini-marts, fast food, take out, or sit down restaurants are just a short drive away.

 

Picnic Area:  Yes, tables outside the Amtrak station.

 

Parking:  Free parking in Amtrak station / city parking lot.

 

Lighted for evening railfanning:  Yes, Amtrak station & platforms are lit at night.

 

Scanner Frequencies:   BNSF (BN main) 161.385   / BNSF Yard (BN) 160.385

 

Motels / Hotels:  Broad View Inn in Galesburg is the best motel to in the area to watch the passing trains, although care of the motel has become poor in recent years.  We list it on RailfanMotels.com website (click Illinois, then Galesburg). 

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