posted
Let's start a list of everyone's favorite spots to watch trains go by, nationwide. I travel and would love to know some "secret" places to wave and wonder. An abandoned overpass?, Long haul curve?, Helper in the mountains?
My spots?
1: Vaughn New Mexico, where the BNSF on the Abo cutoff crosses over the U.P. on the Tucumcari cutoff. Yard work and helpers. Non-stop action. 60 trains a day on both lines. Crews willing to swap stories.
2: Alamogordo New Mexico, 1st Street crossing behind Dairy Queen with an historic water tower in the back ground. 20 big long trains with friendly crews that will wave and toot for railfans and videographers.
posted
Couple places in North Florida.. In Jacksonville, one of the best places is the pedestrian overpass that crosses the throat at the south end of Moncrief Yard, CSXs' main yard here..most trains from FEC heading north pass through here..all of the north and southbound CSX trains go through here..all of the Amtraks north, south and west have to pass through to and from the station including the Sunset and Autotrain. Norfolk Southern bypasses the yard but go through this area on there way to and from Simpson Yard. Farther north the split at Folkston, GA.. some trains head northwest towards Waycross. others head northeast towards Savannah and points north...great viewing from the highway overpass.
posted
I found a great spot last month visiting Kansas. The BNSF trackage through Lebo Ks. It is a tiny town but on the BNSF mainline with a passing siding, older style signal bridges and all the fixins'. A really neat spot. Also the old Harvy house/depot in Kelso Ca. a beautiful setting but hot as h---in the summer. Can be 115+ . So I recomend a winter visit. Both these spots are up close and personal. Millcstl
Posts: 127 | From: Gunnison, CO, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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My favorite train watching spots are Maple avn crossing in Palmyra, Lyons, NY way yard and Savannah Route 31and 89 overpass and any crossing that has signle towers to see of on coming traffic. Palmyra on list because of the track totrack cross over forphoto opp. seing trains cross over from 1to 2 and 2to 1, and the others are self explanatory.
------------------ Robert Muckey
Posts: 18 | From: Lyons, New York USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Richard Haskell: Let's start a list of everyone's favorite spots to watch trains go by, nationwide. I travel and would love to know some "secret" places to wave and wonder. An abandoned overpass?, Long haul curve?, Helper in the mountains?
My spots?
1: Vaughn New Mexico, where the BNSF on the Abo cutoff crosses over the U.P. on the Tucumcari cutoff. Yard work and helpers. Non-stop action. 60 trains a day on both lines. Crews willing to swap stories.
2: Alamogordo New Mexico, 1st Street crossing behind Dairy Queen with an historic water tower in the back ground. 20 big long trains with friendly crews that will wave and toot for railfans and videographers.
Who's Next?
Ole JB here! Barnesville MD is a great spot because we're getting all kinds of transient roadnames coming through, including brand name locos. Had a Dash 9 77AC unit from BNSF on our trax of the Metropolitan Sub on CSX trackage. It also has a block signal visible in each direction, convenient for setting up those prepped photo shoots.
------------------ Theres no crying in baseball,
JB
Posts: 5 | From: silver spring MD USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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My favorite has to be the Middlefield Rock Cuts, on the now CSX Boston line in Middlefield, Mass. The Twin Ledges cut is the best, but it requires a walk-in hike of about 1/2 mile. The other cuts require some walking too, but they are worth it.
But my most frequented spot is the main street crossing in my town.
------------------ AJ Y6b
Posts: 30 | From: Eastern Mass, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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My favorite spot to watch is at Railroad Park in Rochelle, IL. The BNSF and the UP cross each other. The park has a wooden shelter that is elevated so you can see the trains at the cab level. Also there is a scanner mounted on the rafters of the shelter so you can hear both BNSF and UP road channels. There is probably 60 to 80 trains on the UP, and about 40 to 60 trains on the BNSF. Also has a nice gift store of train stuff. And if you are on the internet there is a web cam at this location. You can find it on Trains Magazine Online.
Posts: 24 | From: DeKalb, IL USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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Agree with Rochelle IL. 2nd would be Dolton IL, Belt Railway,Conrail, CSX, UP, IC and more. 3rd Terre Haute IN at Haley Tower.
Posts: 1 | From: Brazil IN USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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The diamonds at Palmer, Mass are not as good as they used to be. There are still advantages to Palmer such as: Plenty of legal parking; combining the signal lights and a good scanner, means no surprises; plenty of fast food nearby; the possiblities of a good meet; the sound of the trains hitting the diamonds; and there is usually someone around to shoot the breeze with.
What I don't like about Palmer: The photography angles are limited due to jockeying for position with other fans; the $@#%~*& flag that the antique shop hangs towards the tracks further screws up picture possiblities; they did away with the railfan bridge that allowed you to get great overhead shots; and last but not least, there have been more idiot railfans showing up due to the publicity that Palmer has gotten in the rail and video press in the recent past. (I had one guy tell me about all the times he has been arrested for trespassing on rr property.) I have also seen idiot railfans stand in the gauge at Palmer.
In my opinion I would not waste my time at the diamonds anymore. When I head out that way, I will drop in to see if someone is there and find out what has been through. Then I usually head east down to the end of the double track, or pull out my telephoto lens and work the other side of the barn in Palmer and then find some scenic spots along the way to Warren. Don't forget to stop in at Tucker's Hobbies in Warren. Also if you get lucky, you may be able to chase the New England Central or the Mass Central with their Alco's
------------------ AJ Y6b N&W and Conrail Fan http://communities.msn.com/TheGRRModelRR (my page)
http://www.nvrra.org (my club's page)
Posts: 30 | From: Eastern Mass, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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You can find one of the best combinations of features at the Amtrak station in Vancouver, Wash. It's right at the junction of the BNSF Fallbridge (Portland-Wishram-Pasco) and Seattle (Portland-Tacoma-Seattle) Subdivisions; sits inside the wye connecting the two routes (with the middle lead into Vancouver Yard as the third wye leg); has ample, safe parking, with food outlets nearby; allows safe, legal viewing from the parking lot and the platforms; is right next to the BNSF Columbia River drawbridge, and thus sees a lot of stopped trains when the bridge swings open; has BNSF, UP and Amtrak trains practically around the clock; and also has several adjacent industrial operations with their own locomotives.
There aren't too many railfan places in the U.S. where you can watch a Talgo passenger train sweep by on one track, turn around and watch a string of BNSF "Heritage" units and former Santa Fe "Warbonnets" bring a train up another, then turn back around again and watch a UP intermodal thunder past, perhaps with former SP or C&NW-painted diesels mixed in with the armour yellow.
Posts: 7 | From: Gresham, Oregon, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I recommend Berea Junction, located in the town of Berea just sosuthwwest of Cleveland. No need to cross any tracks to get good shots and cops are tolerant if you don't. This is probably the hottest train activity spot in Ohio. Was the cross point on the great Conrail "X". Now hosts heavy traffic to Chicago on the NS line and somehat lesser traffic to Indianapolis on the CSX line.
Second best spot would be Greenwich OH where CSX's newly rebuilt Pittsburgh - Chicago line (about 100 trains per day) crosses the line from Berea to Indianapolis, adding another 20. Toledo
Toledo: Vickers Junction where the CSX main between Toledo and Detroit crosses the ex-NYC now NS "Chicago Line". Great spot but you may find yourself on RR property. Beware of the "periodic railfan purges".
------------------ Donn
Posts: 4 | From: Orange County CA | Registered: Aug 2000
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My favorite spot is on CSX`s ex Clinchfield mainline in West NC, East TN, and Southwest VA. Theres nothing like watching and listening to those long coal trains battle the Blue Ridge!
Posts: 3 | From: Rockwell, NC USofA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Not too far from my house, there is a curve right before the tracks go in to a tunnel. It is just west of Canoga, on the west dead-end of Rinaldi, in Chatsworth CA. Great spot to see trains, not too many freights due to the washout at Gaviota though.
-Robert F.
Posts: 8 | From: Chatsworth, CA USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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I have many places in Galesburg,IL. My favorite spot is the County 10 Railroad Bridge. I have a birds eye veiw of the south end of the diesel pit and the north end of the hump yard. Railfans eat your heart out. Even that the railroad runs though my back yard so I can get picutures just about anywhere in galesburg.
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I've got a few. Since I live in Bakersfield I'm only a short drive from Tehachapi loop. That's gotta be a great one. Another is the Horseshoe curve in Altoona Pa. & the Hudson River at the Bear Mountain bridge. Reggie
[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 09-17-2000).]
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Brickyard Rd crossing in Altoona, PA for lots of action on the NS (Old PRR main line) near Horseshoe Curve. 3 tracks of action. Another one is in Cresson, PA across the tracks from the helper yard. Town built a viewing deck with radio broadcasr, a caboose and tables plus lots of parking. Then of course there Horseshoe Curve. View not as good in past because of the groth along the tracks. but still great.
Posts: 1 | From: Waterloo, NY | Registered: Sep 2000
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The best spot in the whole world if you are a Rio Grande fan is Helper, UT, home of the last great stand of D&RGW SD40T-2's. Most of the time this is the only power in the yard. Nothing better than watching and hearing six or sometimes more on the help running in run 8 heading west up the Price River Canyon.
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My favorite spot is on the CSX' River Line along the Hudson River in New York. The area near the Bear Mountain Bridge off Route 9W has the best scenery a Northeast railfan could as for: Rivers, Tunnels, Foreign Motive Power, and green hills. Second favorite is Chester, MA on the CSX Boston & Albany Division.
Posts: 1 | From: Shrewsbury, MA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Canada: Called the Ontario's hot spot. Located just outside of Hamilton Ont. it is on hwy403
SAND PATCH PA. CXS up hill grade to Cumberland MD. It is located just off of us. Hwy 219, then you go on to county road 653. If you leave Sand Patch stay on county road 653, and it will bring you out onto County roda 96 at Hyndman, the start of the grade to Sand Patch from Cumberland.
[This message has been edited by Pennsyman58 (edited 11-02-2000).]
Posts: 8 | From: St. Cloud,Fl USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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MUNCIE,INDIANA Conrail and NS cross in Muncie at this Location: Power St. and Council St. Good Location.
Posts: 8 | From: St. Cloud,Fl USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Horseshoe Curve area. TUNNEL HILL located in the town of Gallitzin. Gives you a real good view of the action. Also go to AR tower in the same town.
Posts: 8 | From: St. Cloud,Fl USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Southern Calif. DAGGET. Dagget is just to theEast of Barstow. this is where the UP connects with the BNSF. UP is coming from NV. The best time is in the morning.
MOJAVE CA. SP/UP and BNSF meet here. BNSF from Barstow.
[This message has been edited by Pennsyman58 (edited 11-02-2000).]
Posts: 8 | From: St. Cloud,Fl USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Folkston,Ga. at this place you will see at least 100+ trains in a 24 hour perion
Posts: 8 | From: St. Cloud,Fl USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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My favorite spot, or at least the most easily acessible, is an area next to an overpass in my town, Tullahoma, TN. A CSX mainline from Nashville to Chattanooga runs through our town. Lots of leasers and other roads. The other day I saw a 13 engine lashup, and earlier, a 6 engine.
Posts: 2 | From: Tullahoma, TN | Registered: Nov 2000
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Charlotte,N.C. @ the train terminal, you can watch all the action in the very large yard. Lots of stack-trains being loaded by multiple equipment. North and south traffic is frequent and when you view the tracks to the south, from the terminal, it's so neat to see all the mainlines taper-down to a vanishing point, with the skyline of Charlotte, in the distance!!!!
Posts: 144 | From: Yanceyville,NC. USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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My favorite spot? Well, you may find other areas in Cajon Pass in Southern California with more appealing backdrops, but as far as traffic density, proximity to trains without getting arrested for tresspassing, and the convenience and ease of accessability, I like Devore, CA., former station site on the old Santa Fe Route.
Both BNSF and UP escape the Los Angeles Basin to the North and East by assaulting this climb up the pass..and by Devore, they're well into this task, pushing the limits of their equipment. This ain't flatland railroading!
From Interstate 15 or 215, exit Glen Helen Pkwy. or Devore Rd. Head downhill toward the tracks; at tha grade xing, both BNSF double track and UP single track mains cross Devore Rd. no more than 50 yards apart, but are seperated by a dirt road that is on a private easement. A mile from the freeeways, a convenience store is across the street; no hiking or hassle, plenty of parking! Just observe good judgement, be safe, and you won't be hassled, and you'll meet some nice people (say Hi to old Wally...He's always there).
Best time is 10am to 3pm, Best traffic in mid-week. Beware of rush hour congestion on adjacent freeways-oh, and there's a KOA Campground nearby, too.
See You There!
Johnny Chooch
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Posts: 9 | From: San Diego, Ca USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I think that barstow yard and roseville yard are good places to watch trains all day. I have a place in sacramento near CSUS where i can watch UP.
Posts: 2 | Registered: Dec 2000
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I agree with Santa Ana Canyon. I regularly railfan there. Cajon Pass is great, especially around Summit. Its great to see mile long BNSF freights assault and top the hill.
Weather is nice now, but bring the shades in the summer, cause it gets toasty!
Scott
------------------ Southern California Near the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society Home of Santa Fe Northern 3751
Posts: 1 | From: Yorba Linda, CA, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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Aack! Nobody's mentioned Hamilton, OH -- CSX, NS, lots of activity... Stay off of the tracks and RR police won't bother you. There's even a McDonald's for restroom and nutritional necessity! There's usually not too many railfans, but talking defect detectors a mile or so either way announce the approach of everything. Occasionally a train to Indianapolis will appear and you can chase it upgrade west of town. Semaphores are gone, but good 'ol B&O CPL's still reign in this area!
Posts: 6 | From: Burlington, KY USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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Another spot is in Clinton, IA. UP main from Chicago is there, IMRL and BNSF also shares trackage along the Mississippi River. Sometimes IMRL does a lot of local runs. During the weekday is very busy on both lines. There is even a old CNW depot that is now art gallery, and couple of other stores.
Posts: 24 | From: DeKalb, IL USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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My Favorite spots for trainwatching are at the Russell's Roundhouse in Victoria, BC and Langford,BC at Mile 8, both on the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway.
Posts: 26 | From: Sooke, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2001
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Winton Place in Cincinnati, Ohio. Three main tracks (2 CSX, 1 NS, plus Indiana & Ohio with trackage rights on both CSX and NS) and over 100 trains a day from NS, CSX and I&O. Definatly my favorite spot!
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No particular order, just personal favorites: Selma NC - regular hangout with a crowd on weekends. CSX A line crosses NS Raleigh-Morehead line Cresson Pa - The front porch of the Station Inn. Need I say more? South Rocky Mount - another regular place Pamona Yd in Greensboro - park in the Amtk lot and hope for the best these days Collier Yard in Petersburg - CSX crosses NS Norfolk main
Posts: 5 | Registered: Jan 2001
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My favorite spot would be St. Denis/Relay, Md., where CSX's (ex-B&O) Capitol Sub and Old Main Line Sub meet at historic Thomas Viaduct. Triple trackage, lots of action.
A close second would be anywhere from Brunswick, Md. up to Cumberland and Sandpatch.
------------------ csxt602 - Baltimore, Md MP6.8 on the Capitol Sub
Posts: 4 | From: Baltimore, Md., USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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