We have some tracks for this through the middle of Fayetteville which go by the old train depot on Dickson Street. I’d like to go to this location and take pics of the train as it passes through and wanted to find out if there’s a way to know when freigh trains travel through various areas? specifically this one? Anyone know where to find this information? Thanks.
How about just asking the railroad? They’re headquartered in nearby Springdale, Ark. I should think that if you were to make an inquiry in person with a clean, respectable appearance and state your business in a friendly tone, someone in the home office could probably give you the information you’re seeking.
If travel to Springdale is out of the question, how about asking someone who works at a Fayetteville hobby shop? On a 1993 visit I made there, I found one on some main drag not too far from the tracks and the old Frisco passenger station. The place had a lot of expertly decorated, HO-gauge AM railroad equipment too - boxcars, gons, locomotives, hoppers, and the like. If the hobby shop employees can’t answer your question, maybe they know someone who can.
Or, how about this: if you see what appears to be an active cash customer with the railroad, i.e., someone who has cars spotted for loading or unloading, they probably know the approximate time the freight trains pass through. Just tell them what your interest is and ask them the time at which they usually get service from the railroad.
It probably would be a good idea too to present a photo i.d. whenever making these requests. In this post-9/11 world it would show your sincerity.
Good luck with your quest!
The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce website states the tracks belong to A&M and they run four trains a day long them.
Thanks guys! i’ll look up the phone number tomorrow. I appreciate it.
JJryan:
According to the Jan2007 TRAINS, the A&M is an all ALCO line, so the photo ops should be a rarity in today’s EMD/GE world!
Good Hunting!
\ whats that mean?
Whoo hoo! I know the answer to this one. Alcos were an older locomotive brand. EMD and GE are newer locomotives. Alcos aren’t being made any more, thus the rarity of seeing them. I just moved from Bella Vista. You can also see the A & M do some occasional switching down the road a piece from Northwest Arkansas Community College on road 62.
18th Street Train Stop (479) 521-2091, 2105 W 18th St Fayetteville, AR
I don’t think they have a website. Also there are some really nice people involved in modeling in the area.
Bella Vista may seem a bit too far to get involved with a model railroad club, but they might help you with more information about the A & M. And no not everyone who lives in Bella Vista is retired. Just a lot of them. There are also a lot of retired BNSF employees who live there and model. Check out the website for Bella Vista POA. www.bellavistapoa.com for more information about the clubs in the area.
SUGAR CREEK MODEL RAILROAD CLUB & HISTORICAL SOCIETY - 4th Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., Call for location of meeting, Contact (look on the above mentioned website.)
Enjoy!
Thanks! I was actually looking for information on that club. I hear there is also one in Siloam Springs, AR?
I had the opportunity to see the A&M on a few occasions when I was in Springdale on business. About photographing trains there - I asked a few people for permission and they politely told me that I would have to stand in the street off of the property because of insurance reasons. I respect them for that. One thing about them, they do take a lot of pride in being an all Alco line.
On my first trip down to Springdale, about 2 years ago this month, I was shocked to find out about the A&M. Being from Chicago, I finally got to see some of the Belt Railway Co Alcos in action. I’ll post some pics if I can figure it out…
stan