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?
Posted by dragondawg (Member # 29) on :
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.
Couple of my favorites..
Posted by millcstl (Member # 60) on :
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
Posted by Robert Muckey (Member # 63) on :
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
Posted by jb_cratchet (Member # 76) on :
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
Posted by ajy6b (Member # 77) on :
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
Posted by Joe Pasteris (Member # 4) on :
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.
Posted by Paul Danielsen (Member # 92) on :
Agree with Rochelle IL. 2nd would be Dolton IL, Belt Railway,Conrail, CSX, UP, IC and more. 3rd Terre Haute IN at Haley Tower.
Posted by William (Member # 91) on :
Palmer,Massachusetts where csx's (i guess would be labeled as ex nyc)Boston line crosses new england central's line cross(on a diamond!)
Also amtrak's Mystic,Connecticut depot.A railfans delight for me....relatives only 1/4 mile from station
Posted by ajy6b (Member # 77) on :
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)
Posted by mccannt (Member # 123) on :
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.
Posted by Donn (Member # 138) on :
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
Posted by Alan (Member # 151) on :
I am not able to get over to the States too often, but anywhere on Tehachapi would be hard to beat!
------------------ Alan
The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!
Posted by Michael Ridenhour (Member # 159) on :
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!
Posted by Robert F (Member # 141) on :
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.
Posted by David R. Busse (Member # 169) on :
In no particular order:
-Kirkwood, Mo., on UP (ex-MoPac) main line, 13 miles west of St. Louis.
-Spotted Robe, Mont., on the east side of Marias Pass.
-Klondike, Calif., on the BNSF Needles Subdiv. Best observed at dawn on the morning of the summer solstace.
-Maine, Ariz., west of Flagstaff on BNSF.
Posted by therailnut (Member # 171) on :
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.
------------------ keep on railroadin'
Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :
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).]
Posted by James Shaw (Member # 179) on :
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.
Posted by slimjim375 (Member # 199) on :
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.
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.
Posted by Pennsyman58 (Member # 235) on :
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).]
Posted by Pennsyman58 (Member # 235) on :
MUNCIE,INDIANA Conrail and NS cross in Muncie at this Location: Power St. and Council St. Good Location.
Posted by Pennsyman58 (Member # 235) on :
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.
Posted by Pennsyman58 (Member # 235) on :
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).]
Posted by Pennsyman58 (Member # 235) on :
Folkston,Ga. at this place you will see at least 100+ trains in a 24 hour perion
Posted by qwoot (Member # 261) on :
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.
Posted by richarddschivley (Member # 274) on :
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!!!!
Posted by johnnychooch (Member # 187) on :
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
------------------
Posted by top_bullfrog (Member # 310) on :
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.
Posted by Challenger3985 (Member # 324) on :
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
Posted by timecruncher (Member # 323) on :
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!
Posted by Joe Pasteris (Member # 4) on :
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.
Posted by enrailway (Member # 350) on :
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.
Posted by IORY_GP40 (Member # 357) on :
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!
SantaFe Junction in Kansas City is my favorite place.
Posted by saludamtn (Member # 369) on :
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
Posted by csxt602 (Member # 370) on :
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
Posted by Underground Railfan (Member # 379) on :
Nobody has mentioned the rail mecca of Ohio yet. FOSTORIA!!!!
ard to beat the non-stop action there.
Posted by irish1 (Member # 222) on :
cp tracks at sturdevant wisconsin are a great spot. plenty of amtrak action including the east @westbound empire builders plus plenty of freights.
Posted by NS-CSX2000 (Member # 390) on :
Here are three for the list:
1. Austell, GA just outside of Atlanta. NS's Alabama division and Georgia Divisions combine for the double track run into Atlanta, CSX WA sub nearby, both busy lines.
2. Dalton, GA about 30 miles south of Chattanooga, TN. NS's Atlanta North District and CSX's WA sub cross at grade, both busy lines, CSX's Etowah sub less than 30 min. away also.
3. Harriman, TN in middle eastern TN, about 40 min. west of Knoxville on I40. NS's Tennessee division from Knoxville joins the double track Kentucky Division mainline at Harriman Juntion, 40-50 trains a day during the peak season.
Posted by Railcat (Member # 393) on :
A lot of wonderful spots are off-limits these days; used to be no real problem to spend hours at MG, up above Horseshoe, or some other locations on the hill. Brickyard is one of those few remaining "safe" areas aside from the summit and west slope.
Here's a different perspective: routes to travel - i.e., play tag with the old Pennsy Middle Divison from Duncannon out to Newton-Hamilton by following the various backroads which parallel the railroad along much of this stretch; then thru Huntingdon and Spruce Creek Valley toward Tyrone.
Ahhh, Route 30 across Iowa & Nebraska - esp. Nebraska where it's close to the UP tracks most all the way and volume! Keep going thru Wyoming, too! Nebraska Route 2 from Grand Island to Alliance and Crawford along the BNSF with open spaces, coal trains and good eatin' at the Hyannis Hotel or Cattleman's in Lakeside.
Maine, AZ is lovely; indeed playing tag with old AT&SF from New Mexico all the way to Needles and beyond (old 66 - to a large extent) ... the great sag coming thru Seligman where they pour on the power for the grades outta town.
US2 thru northern Montana along the old GN with a backtrip from Whitefish to Libby by way of Flathead Tunnel ... wierd, the sound of those tunnel fans howling in otherwise pure solitude.
Lots more, I'm sure.
Posted by CenCalRails (Member # 219) on :
Stockton Ca
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
[Margaret (SP fan) here - I have not yet registered here! ]
Martinez, CA, for the 24 Amtrak trains PER DAY (!), as well as a number of freights. The lovely old SP depot is still being used, for a while, until the new depot is opened. A number of places to eat nearby, AND a number of antique stores, also. [I have found some VERY nice things in some of those stores! ] The SP 1258, an 0-6-0, is on display there, and there is a park across the tracks. When you visit "MTZ" (Amtrak code), drive south on Alhambra Blvd. until you pass under the ex-ATSF high trestle, then park in the "park-&-ride" lot just past it. VERY impressive sight, and if you are lucky, you may even see a freight. Remember: trains like to hide from railfans! [ ] Amtrak RARELY re-routes over this trestle, probably less than *5* times in the past 29 years, so BE THERE if that happens! Then turn left out of the parking lot and drive west on Franklin Canyon Road - a PRETTY drive, right by the BNSF main line, all the way to I 80. You can then get onto the freeway, or continue to Pinole, and go watch Amtrak & freights there.
Santa Clara, CA, just N of San Jose: a stop on the 136-year-old ex-SP commute main line, and the site of the OLDEST remaining depot in CA, THe South Bay Historical RR Society (www.sbhrs.org) restored the depot & freight shed, and did such an excellent job that they got an award from Caltrans. The SBHRS has a very nice model RR inside, and is often open on weekends. 66 Caltrains a day, M-F, and some freights. Some of the freights originate here, and running meets are not uncommon between freights & Caltrain. A Safeway is a few blocks away, as are several fast-food places. Parking is available on weekends, but may be difficult on weekdays. The Central Coast Chapter of the NRHS meets in the depot 3rd Fridays (http://www5.pair.com/rattenne/nrhs/nrhs.htm)
Stockton, CA, of course, and Roseville, CA. Roseville is the HUGE ex-SP yard, 13 miles NE of Sacramento. You can see a couple of rotary snowplows resting in the yard just east of the engine house (except when in use, which is RARE - 7 times in 25 years!). When in Roseville, do eat at Railroad Deli, right across the street from the engine house, at the east endof the yard, on Vernon Street. Excellent food, and LOTS of photos of trains on the wall!
Have fun, and BE SAFE!
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
OOPS!! Here are the clickable weblinks I enclosed in the other message:
Talk about a topic that's on fire! Geez...it was started a half a year ago. Anyways, too bad no one has mentioned Fullerton! As an employee of TrainWeb, of course I feel obligated to mention this wonderful station from which we operate. Sure, you could see all the freights that pass through Fullerton at Cajon, but at Fullerton you also have the luxury of civilization (i.e. restaraunts). Also, for those who don't see passenger trains as a nuisance, there are 44 Surfliners and Metrolinks daily through Fullerton. Plus, there's this neat local job based in La Mirada which goes through several times daily, often going backwards with the brakeman on the caboose.
------------------ -Matthew J. Melzer matt@trainweb.com
Posted by rmiller (Member # 341) on :
quote:Originally posted by therailnut: 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.
The only problem with Galesburg is that you can't be two places at once and although the old CB&Q and AT&SF mainlines are close enough to hear whistles on both, there is no place to get a clear view of both railroads at the same time. They cross, true, but the sight lines are terrible. The result is that I always feel I'm at the wrong place at the right time to be at the other.
Posted by TPWMAN (Member # 360) on :
Belen,NM or ciniga creek az.BNSF in Belen main yard on la to chi.100+ aday trains.UP ciniga creek,az double track where on passes over the other and creek.used to be epsw then sp now up
Posted by PYPete (Member # 409) on :
Well it's hard to single one out. So I'll give three; Harpers Ferry WV, Magnolia Cutoff, WV and Doswell, VA at the yard.
-Peter
Posted by ccrider (Member # 384) on :
My favorite place is to park my boat just east of the Burnside Bridge under the CNOTP on Norfolk Southern, just downstream from the power plant near Somerset, KY. I can swim, fish, eat, relax, catch some rays and get an unobstructed view of a great variety of traffic on one of the NS's busiest lines.
Not a great place to be right now (it's 18 degrees tonight), but man I could live there from May to September!!!!
Posted by DrunkEngineer (Member # 245) on :
Wha??????? Are you guys irnoreing Flagstaff Arizona!!??? The BNSF Line that goes threw there is crowed with trains, you will never be 3 minutes in that city near the tracks without seeing a Frighter! Masses of them!! MASSES!!!!!!! I Got Stoped at the train signal for up to 3 Long Fright Trains!! If your in Arizona and looking for a place to watch non stop action of Fright Trains, Goto Flagstaff AZ! Trust me on this one! You will Love it!!
Posted by smallspy (Member # 407) on :
I'm surprised no one from "up north" mentioned Bayview/Hamilton Junction...large mainline wye, once saw 7 freights, four VIA's and two GO trains in one hour! Crazy place brother!
Another good place in T.O. that comes to mind...West Toronto a.k.a. the Junction...saw why first SD90MAC there!
Finally, out in the east end, Durham Junction is where CN's freight bypass around Toronto meets the east-west mainline...and, GO Transit's lines cuts underneath it all! Gets super busy during rush hour!
] The SP 1258, an 0-6-0, is on display there, and there is a park across the tracks. When you visit "MTZ" (Amtrak code), drive south on Alhambra Blvd. until you pass under the ex-ATSF high trestle, then park in the "park-&-ride" lot just past it. VERY impressive sight, and if you are lucky, you may even see a freight. Remember: trains like to hide from railfans! [ 