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CSX Barr Subdivision

The CSX Barr sub runs from Blue Island, IL to Portage, IN. It sees a large variety of traffic including several run throughs.

Road:160.230
Dispatcher:160.320
Lines at this spot
Blue Island Interlocking15.3
Pine Junction248.3
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Submitted by PDXRailfan
on 11/1/26
PDXRailfan PDXRailfan
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Blue Island Interlocking

CSX Barr Subdivision, Milepost 15.3

Southbound intermodal train and Iowa Interstate crossing the bridge
Taken at the crossing. Iowa Interstate doing a shove move while a CSX intermodal passes by a track over.
Southbound intermodal train passing the crossing
Looking north, a southbound CSX manifest and a southbound intermodal crossing the bridges
Southbound UP intermodal train crossing one of the bridges
This is a can't-miss spot if you are railfanning in the Chicago area. Four iconic bridges cross the Cal-Sag Channel at this crossing and if you look to the south you can see Metra Rock Island trains crossing over the tracks. The Indiana Harbor Belt leaves their Blue Island Yard and meets up with the CSX mainline at this location. Iowa Interstate can also be seen making moves.

Park on any of the side streets and walk up to the crossing. Use caution here as it is very easy to find yourself in the foul of a track while getting out of the way of something coming. Aiming north and catching southbound traffic coming off the bridges will be the most reliable for light throughout the day and the most iconic. High chance of running into a few other railfans here as this is a popular spot. Bring sunscreen and a hat as there is virtually nothing in the way of shade here.
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