Edmonton, Alberta

Trains Magazine Trackside Guides
1

Hi all,

I don’t post often, just read, because my railfanning days have slowed considerably. Now I’m back in the states, but I still don’t have a car (NYC boy - the subways are my best friend).

Anyway, I’ll be in Edmonton next weekend. Does anyone have any tips on some good spots for a 1/2 day railfanning adventure? OK, maybe a full day!

I plan on going to Elk Island NP for a day, so I’ll have at least 1/2 day free. I’ll probably wind up just finding some tracks on the map and drving out there with my fingers crossed.

2

I would suggest Bretville Junction on the east side and the huge bridge over the river.
http://maps.google.com/?ll=53.572378,-113.367405&spn=0.006779,0.018969&t=h&om=0

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=280867

Have a look at the CN diesel shop at the west end, north side of Walker (Calder) Yard
http://maps.google.com/?t=h&om=0&ll=53.584098,-113.531706&spn=0.003388,0.009484

CP South Edmonton yard
http://maps.google.com/?t=h&om=0&ll=53.512347,-113.492546&spn=0.006788,0.018969

3

Thanks for the suggestions and the photo. These places are now on my itinerary. I’m even more excited about the trip now!!!

4

I was at Walker Yard late this afternoon. I caught some great pics of CN SD70M-2 #8014 and CN ES44DC #2252. Lots of action in the yard, I saw another SD70M-2 going by in the background but I could not get a pic or a unit #.

Be careful as you go, I’ve been told that CN Police are very tight at holding down the fort.

Be sure to come down to the south side of the city to the CP yard. You may catch come UP, lots of SOO and all kinds of AC4400s, SD90/43MACs and SD40-2s. On Sunday they had the old 4-6-4 Empress in the yard aswell.

As for specific areas, I can’t tell you just yet as I relocated to Edmonton just 3 weeks ago from New Brunswick. I’m still stuck to the yards. I will, however, venture out into new scenic areas very soon.

You will notice in both yards some VERY unique freight cars.

I almost forgot, the VIA Rail Canadian uses the CN yard to back into the passenger station around 730AM westbound and about 600PM eastbound.

Enjoy,
John

5

Thanks again. I have free time Friday & Saturday so I will spend one of those days checking out the scene.

Go Oilers!!!

6

This is a rail map of Edmonton-
http://www.proximityissues.ca/Maps/RAC-2004-Edmonton.pdf

http://www.proximityissues.ca/english/maps1.cfm

VIA’s Canadian only goes through 3 days a week each way.

7

I just printed out all the maps. Thanks again!

8

So I’m back from Edmonton. Right after I landed and I was on the way to get the rental car, I saw a nice CP doublestack going by, so that got me excited. Unfortunately, my railfanning time was very short. On the day budgeted, I woke up late and was feeling sick. I spent about 2 hours or so outside before I couldn’t take it anymore and went back to the hotel for sleep. I went to the Bretville Junction to see the bridge first. I saw a nice long CN train getting ready to cross the bridge. I tried to go to the ski park to get a shot of the train. But as I was looking for somewhere with a good view, I heard the second train go by. Finally I got out of the car and started to try to find a place with a good view. I took this shot:

Then I started down the path and the bridge was out of sight. Of course that’s when the CN train went over the bridge! I ran ahead and caught a peek of the last few cars passing over.

On the way back to the hotel, I drove a loop around Walker Yard. Very nice, but I didn’t see an obvious place to park and look around so I kept going.

Thanks for everyone’s advice, maybe I’ll make it back one day (if I can score tickets for Game 6!!)