Park Forest Rail Fan Park, Matteson

About Park Forest Rail Fan Park

Park Forest Rail Fan Park showcases a unique railroad intersection where the east-west Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad crosses the north-south Metra Rail line in what has been compared to a highway cloverleaf interchange for trains. The centerpiece is a 35-foot-high accessible viewing platform positioned to observe the approximately 32 trains that pass through the site daily, created by the grade separation of more than 25 feet between the two rail lines. The park also features a railway caboose as a special exhibit. The location combines the spectacle of active train movements with plans to present significant historical stories related to railroads. The park occupies a four-acre parcel adjacent to Park Forest's commuter parking lot in Matteson, Illinois. Visitors can walk the nearby Old Plank Road Trail, a 22-mile rails-to-trails project connecting Park Forest to Joliet. The Rail Fan Park appeals to railroad enthusiasts and those interested in transportation history and engineering.