Wife is letting me go to watch trains for a week. I’m going to Des Moines, Iowa. Looking for the good spots to watch and have fun, any ideas.
Right downtown, just a few blocks away from the Iowa Cubbies’ ballpark, is where the IAIS’ former ROCK main runs. There’s a number of places where you can park and watch for action nearby. When I was there last summer, I was pleasantly surprised - saw three trains pass through and I heard another while I was at the game. I’d be careful if I were you on the east side of the downtown area - some of the neighborhoods can be a bit dangerous, especially at night. I also attempted to do some train-watching along the NS’ former WAB line into town, but nothing was swingin’ there. I don’t think the NS runs into Des Moines real often. There’s a real good hobby shop up in the Urbandale area on the NW side - LOTS of train stuff.
How mobile will you be? You wouldn’t have to drive too far north to catch UP’s east-west (ex-CNW) main line, nor too far south to see BNSF on its main line between Omaha and Chicago. If you want coal trains, you’ll see them on either of these lines–not likely in Des Moines.
I reccomend driving to Ames or Boone. Both are located along the UP mainline, and Boone also has the Boone & Scenic Valley RR.