Located in the suburb of Des Plaines, Deval is surely the most unusual location in the north suburbs. Take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90) to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near O'Hare airport. Take the Tri-State north to U.S. Rte. 14 (Dempster Street). Head west about a mile on Rte. 14 to Graceland Street and turn left. At Thacker Street, turn right, cross the tracks and turn right on First Street (at Prairie Avenue, First Street jogs to the right). The junction is just a few blocks at the end of First Street.
The junction can also be reached by taking a Metra/UP Northwest Line commuter train from the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago (Madison and Canal Streets) to the DesPlaines station. Then follow the tracks west; the junction is less than a half mile.
Three lines intersect here, forming a triangle of diamonds--each about 100 or so yards apart. Union Pacific's ex-Chicago & North Western triple track Northwest Line crosses Canadian National's ex-Wisconsin Central, ex-Soo route from Wisconsin. UP runs northwest-southeast while CN is roughly north-south. Both are crossed by Union Pacific's ex-C&NW "New Line" travelling northeast-southwest here. The New Line (or "High Line" as it's sometimes called) is an all-freight line that was built to bypass Chicago and allow trains on UP's former C&NW freight line from Wisconsin to access Proviso Yard. Canadian Pacific (former Soo Line) trains also use the line on trackage rights, accessing it northeast of here at Techny and taking it to Bensonville Yard. South of the junction the New Line wraps around the west side of O'Hare Airport, and at Bryn Mawr interlocking it splits--one route leading to Bensonville and the other continuing further south to Proviso.
The Northwest Line is almost entirely commuter trains (or "scoots" as they're called by rail personnel). It is quite busy during rush hours, with hourly service during mid-day (less frequently on weekends). The line continues northwest, with most commuter trains terminating at Crystal Lake. A few continue on to Harvard near the Wisconsin line, but beyond there it is a minor freight route running to the Wisconsin cities of Janesville and Madison. The CN/WC line sees around 20 or 25 road freights daily, and also features commuter service that was initiated in 1996. Known as the "North Central" line, the commuters run north to Antioch, just below the Wisconsin border. However, service on this route is limited to weekdays, and Deval is not within walking distance of the nearest station. The New Line is also busy with both UP and CP freights, mostly the latter. A rough guess would be 25 to 30 trains a day. There is a connection between the New and Northwest lines about a mile west of the junction; most of the Northwest Line freight traffic from Wisconsin uses it, thus avoiding the junction. Deval Tower is a handsome structure that controlled the junction and was staffed by UP employees. In May, 2005, a fire gutted much of the structure and destroyed the interlocking machine. UP has said they will not replace the equipment, and the junction is now remotely controlled.
Frequencies
Metra/UP Northwest: 161.040
CN/W 161.295, 160.215
UP New Line: 160.485, 161.040
If you follow the above directions for getting here by auto, you will be in the southwest quadrant of the CN/WC and UP/Northwest diamonds. This location is not ideal, but is the best available for that crossing. Fortunately, an alley behind some industrial buildings parallels the Northwest Line on the south. Walking west on it will provide access the the UP/New Line and UP/Northwest diamonds. The junction can also be accessed by a road leading off Route 14 west of Graceland; it leads to the northeast quadrant of the same crossing and puts you closer to the CN/WC and UP New Line diamond to the north. The area is railroad property, and while there are railfans who come here, you should be aware that UP officials may ask you to leave. In any case, stand well back from the tracks and do not interfere with any rail personnel who might be working there. The surrounding neighborhood poses no safety problems.
For more on CN/WC, see Franklin Park. See also Leithton at Other North / Northwest Suburban Junctions.
For more on the Metra/UP Northwest Line, see Mayfair and Clybourn at Other North Side Junctions. See also Barrington at Other North / Northwest Suburban Junctions.
For more on UP's New Line, see Bensonville / Bryn Mawr. See also Techny and Valley Junction at Other North / Northwest Suburban Junctions.