Can Freight Trains Slow Down a Barrington Move?

Can Freight Trains Slow Down a Barrington Move?

Last updated: October 2026

They can. The Elgin, Joliet and Eastern freight line crosses eight major roads in the Barrington area at grade, so a passing freight train can hold up traffic. It's worth allowing a few extra minutes on move day.

At grade means the tracks cross the road at street level, with no bridge or underpass. When a long freight train comes through, cars and trucks wait at the crossing until it passes. For a commuter, that's an annoyance. A small one. On moving day, it can mean a truck and crew waiting at a crossing gate while a long line of freight cars rolls slowly past, which is mostly harmless but worth knowing about when the day is planned down to the hour.

Why it matters on moving day

Arrival time. The truck may arrive a little later than planned if it catches a train on the way in.

Trips between stops. If your move has more than one stop in the area, each crossing is a chance for a wait.

Your own schedule. If you're driving between the old house and the new one, you may get caught too.

How to plan for it

Allow a few extra minutes. Build a little cushion into the day.

Don't schedule too tightly. If you have a closing, a walkthrough, or a key handoff, leave room.

Be patient. It's nobody's fault, and it usually passes quickly.

A few minutes at a crossing rarely changes the shape of the day. It's just one of those local details that's nicer to know in advance than to discover with a crew sitting in traffic.

Other things that shape a Barrington move

Trains are a small part of the day. The bigger factors are usually the property itself.

Distance. Barrington is a good drive from Chicago. Travel is part of the quote, stated upfront, with no distance surcharges. Read do you charge extra because Barrington is far.

Driveways. Long gravel drives affect truck choice and staging. Read can movers handle long gravel driveways in Barrington.

Outbuildings. Garages, barns, and workshops add to the inventory. Read can you move outbuildings and barn contents in Barrington.

Estates. Multi-acre, multi-building moves. Read do you handle Barrington Hills acreage estates.

Local quirks everywhere

Every town has its own small surprises on moving day. In Barrington, it's freight trains. In Clarendon Hills, it's weekday-morning commuter parking near the Metra. In Wilmette and Northbrook, it's snow parking bans. Knowing them ahead of time is part of planning a good move. Read are there parking issues near the Clarendon Hills Metra and what happens if it snows on my Northbrook moving day.

Pricing

Barrington moves are hourly, with a 2-hour minimum. Moving companies in the Chicago area charge at least one hour for travel. Our pricing never changes seasonally.

For more on Barrington, read what a move in and out of Barrington actually looks like and moving to Barrington from the city.

Local planning is covered on our Barrington movers page, alongside our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com, and tell us your date.