What is the impact on Barrington, IL after the railway purchased by the Canadian co.? (Wheaton: houses, school district)

[nmtinx]

Dear all,

I am checking houses around Barrington area since they have pretty good school district. Since the railway purchased by Canadian company, they have more than 20 trains pass Barrington daily. I just wonder is anyone living around Barrington area? What is the impact (like noise, traffic) on your daily living, house value and the local schools? Thanks.

[css9450]

Where did you get that "20 a day" figure? They've added exactly two trains a day - one each way - to the former EJ&E line. No one has seen a 20-train increase, and won't for awhile, if at all.

[nmtinx]

Thank you for your reply. I got the information from the Tribune last month. It said they will add up to at least 20 trains per day. Earlier this year (before the deal was approved), I heard someone even said eventually it may have train pass Barrington once every half hour instead of 8 per day so it will destroy the downtown business. I hope that is not truth. I just wonder how bad it is.

[css9450]

Barrington will be fine. They have no idea what heavy train traffic is. Besides Metra, they currently have, what, two or three freights on the UP line and another half dozen (I find 8 hard to believe) on the EJ&E each day. Trust me, an additional 20 freight trains over a day's time isn't going to destroy anything. My suburb sees approximately 60 Metra trains and 60 freight trains a day, which is about a twofold increase since we moved here 35 years ago. Our downtown is vibrant and thriving. No one here even gives the trains a second thought.

[nanannie]

I live here in Barrington and can hear the trains from my home. Have really not noticed much of a difference.

[middle-aged mom]

Originally Posted by css9450

My suburb sees approximately 60 Metra trains and 60 freight trains a day, which is about a twofold increase since we moved here 35 years ago. Our downtown is vibrant and thriving. No one here even gives the trains a second thought.

Where is this?

[middle-aged mom]

The greater Barrington area is about 100 square miles and is not impacted by trains. If and when train traffic increases, there no doubt will be congestion in the middle of the Village of Barrington as there will be in Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods and Mundelein, not to mention Du Paige Cty.

[css9450]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

Where is this?

Glen Ellyn. We're on the Union Pacific West line; its among the busiest freight lines in the entire area. Wheaton, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lisle.... All have downtowns that see 100-120 trains a day.

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

The greater Barrington area is about 100 square miles and is not impacted by trains. If and when train traffic increases, there no doubt will be congestion in the middle of the Village of Barrington as there will be in Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods and Mundelein, not to mention Du Paige Cty.

Downtown Barrington is problematic in that all the tracks cross roads at an angle. Route 59 is an awful traffic jam during rush hour, whether a train is present or not. I DO somewhat sympathize with the people who live there. However, it makes me wonder - did they ever think about what 30 years of unchecked suburban sprawl in that part of the county would do to the traffic situation? Did they ever consider a bypass or alternate route or do they just count on permanent gridlock on Route 59 forever? My point is, their problems aren't just railroad-related. It seems they are more interested in maintaining the status quo of their 1950s-era downtown and road system then in doing anything about the problem.

The proposed Route 53 extension can't come soon enough in my opinion.

[middle-aged mom]

Thank you. I had absolutely no idea those towns had that much train traffic, each day. And you are right, the trains have not detracted from town vibrancy.


You are also spot on about Rt 59.

[chitown85]

Barrington won't see a large train increase for the primary reason that the tracks cannot handle it. They already have enough problems with the train crossings. They won't be adding any more trains anytime soon.

The lots in Barrington area, with the exception of the village of Barrington, are generally spread out so the home values are not affected.