Libertyville is about 8 miles north of where I currently live. When I was...much younger, I used to go to Rondout
where the EJ&E crossed the Milwaukee Rd. with an interchange & small yard and watch switching.
Rondout was also a flag stop on the commuter line before it became Metra, and had an interlocking
tower there. The structure still exists, but I don't know if it is used anymore.
Also, if you take 176 west to 83 in Mundelein, there is a model railroad hobby shop there, Ron's Mundelein
Hobbies, which has been there for over 40 years.
I'm two miles south. Libertyville is one of my many stops for food, and drinks on the weekends. Surprised Google maps has Tala already marked. They just opened that location about two months ago.