posted 01-05-2001 06:23 PM            

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.

posted 01-05-2001 10:21 PM            

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.

posted 01-06-2001 10:18 AM            

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!

posted 01-06-2001 10:24 AM            

Central CoastChapter NRHS: http://www5.pair.com/rattenne/nrhs/nrhs.htm

posted 01-08-2001 01:09 PM            

quote:

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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.

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posted 01-08-2001 04:45 PM            

-Peter

posted 01-12-2001 09:39 PM            

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!