Advice on train watching in Massachusetts and Ohio appreciated

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I will be visiting Massachusetts and Ohio, more exactly the Boston and Dayton areas, for some days in November. I am well aware that this is not the perfect time of the year for train watching, but there isn’t really anything I can do about the timing… Since this is my first visit to both Massachusetts and Ohio, I’m a bit curious what there is to see when it comes to rail watching and rail fanning. I will spend time in Boston from November 17th to 19th, and Dayton from November 20th to 23rd. I will have some time daytime during the weekdays, and of course during the weekend.

Where should I go to see something, and to get some nice photos hopefully? Where should I NOT go? (Not things like don’t walk on the yards, I was thinking more like “this might look like a good place, but it’s a real waste of time” and things like that.) From what I’ve found out it is, of course, late for railroad museums or such things, but if you know of anything worth visiting anyway I’m interested. I will have a car on both places; however my travelling companions are not interested in trains, so I might not be able to use the car to drive several hours just to get to a scenic location for train photography – unless I’m able to sell the idea to them one way or the other.
Any suggestions are more than welcome.
Greetings from Sweden
Bo Sibbmark

2

How mobile are you (do you have a car available here?), and how are you traveling from Boston to Dayton?

If at all possible, I’d suggest going to Cincinnati while you’re in the Dayton area. There are other folks on the Forum who can give you more specifics, but there is plenty of action on both CSX and NS. My favorite spot is anywhere along CSX’s (former C&O) bridge across the Ohio River. The old Union Station houses three museums, and the former tower controlling operations of the terminal in its heyday is a good railfan hangout on the Saturdays when it’s open.

3

We had a Boston thread here back in April or so, as I recall. Can anyone find the link to it ?

EDIT: Here it is - from March instead:

“Railroads in/near Boston” -

http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/245719/2738668.aspx

  • Paul North.
4

That was a very interesting link, thank you. I’m sure I will be able to find answers to a lot of my questions there.

/Bo Sibbmark

5

I will have a car available at least parts of the time. I think I would be able to talk my colleague into going to Cincinnati, so that is an option. The tower looks interesting as well, I’ll keep that in mind.

I will be flying from Boston to Dayton, I would have prefered other ways, but time doesn’t permit it.

/Bo Sibbmark