Just wondering what anyones favourite train watching locations are.
I have had several spots over the years. Most notable of mine are the 3 spots below.
Where I grew up in Burnaby B.C. My grandmother lived a good stones throw from the Willingdon Overpass. On a good day one could see 4 train companies - VIA, Amtrak, BNSF and Canadian National. CN used to - probably still does - haul Canadian Pacific over to North Vancouver. It’s been 17 years since I’ve been in the Lower Mainland.
At the south end of Saskatoon, Sk at Diefenbaker Park where Canadian National has their mainline.
I currently live in Cranbrook. Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific runs trains through here 24/7.[Y]
I don’t do a lot of train watching here in Richmond, Va., as it’s all CSX, Norfolk-Southern and Amtrak. But when I DO feel like train watching the best place around here is the town of Ashland, about 15 miles north of Richmond. The old RF&P, now CSX, tracks run right through the center of town, the old train station is still there as a welcome and visitor center with a nice display of RF&P artifacts, and you can get close enough to the trains to touch 'em, NOT that it’s a good idea!
Also, there’s a very good hobby shop just down the street from the station called “Train Town”, which is well worth a visit. So, you can watch trains and buy trains, Ashlands got it all!
Mine is sitting around a campfire on the UP Cascade Loops in Oregon. I have a “secret” place up near the location of the Fraizer Mud Slide. You can camp anywhere in the forest off the ROW. This place is near a tunnel portal. It is so dark at night and the sound in amazing. Last time I had a “UFO” moment when at 2:00am when a consist coasted into a siding about 100 yards away. I woke up to a dim light and strange sounds through the trees. The cycling of air compressors with echo added in the pitch black was real wierd. What a great time!
The mainline over the mountain between Johnstown and Altoona PA. My parents are from this area and is the root of my passion for trains. This area has it all.
Berea, OH, fortunate to be living close to such a hot spot.
I’m from Western New York & usually end up at the Depew (Buffalo) Amtrak station. There’s actually a mild grade there & eastbound CSX freights kick up a little fuss, especially when stopping for a crew change. Also within view is NS’s Southern Tier line for a little variety.
A bit of driving leads to several good spots along the shore of Lake Erie where CSX & NS are within a shout of each other most of the way to Cleveland. Northeast, PA & Conneaught, OH both have little museums along CSX’s Water Level Route.
Closer to home I have an occasional local freight that crosses the ER-I-E Canal among other things. I used to have a daily coal drag 5 miles away but the power plant it fed has shut down, hopefully temporarily.
As far as traveling I like the Rochelle, IL rail park. Fostoria, OH shows lots of promise. I definitely agree with the Altoona-Johnstown mountain line, and my next goal is Sand Patch Grade a bit further south.
That said, can’t really complain anytime wheel meets rail & I’m there to see it. d:-)
Have been to rochelle.I also like west Chicago and JB tower.I am lucky to live so close to so many spots.Just haven’t had the time to go.If The red tape can get processed through Fostoria would be nice.But our favorite spot is Deshler Ohio where the csx Chicago line crosses the csx Toledo sub.With the new connection and intermodal yard in North Baltimore it just makes Deshler that much buisier.And there is always a train on the way home from every visit.
I agree that Kirkwood, MO is a good spot. I’ve always seen a few freights pass in the short time I’ve been there waiting to board Amtrak.
There’s a nice park across from the station to use for viewing and also another park across Kirkwood Road that had picnic benches. There’s also a small area next to the that has benches.
And it’s a very scenic old station, former MoPac, staffed by volunteers. The City of Kirkwood purchased the station when Amtrak pulled out.
Try Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, lots of train action here, go to google maps and see the size of the railyards, it’s the home of CPR’s heavy haul division, lots of great odd equipment in the shop yard seen from 4th Avenue bridge.
I have been to Stamford, CT a few times, a few years ago. It’s probably the busiest spot in the state, being the end of the run of a number of commuter trains out of NY, as well as the endpoint of some New Caanen shuttles, and Shoreline East trains. It’s also an Amtrak stop. Part of the station is over the tracks and was glass enclosed, however, I understand the station is or has been remodeled.