anyone out there know if nelson illinois a good safe place to view train action? where can you take photos without trepassing? thanx a heap!!! chio
There is a blacktop road that runs along the south side of the tracks, which you can get pictures of the old coal tower from either the east or west side of it. That’d probably be your best bet.
Also the north/south road through Nelson crosses the tracks on the north end of ‘town’, but the area on either side of the crossing is marked private property by UP, so it’d be wise not to be off the road in the lot there.
The road along the tracks going east out of Nelson isn’t totally flat and straight, so be sure to park far enough off the road and watch when you’re walking around.
thanx ladd farmer!! didnt ladd have 5 or 6 rrs at one time? quite a bunch for a town of 1000 people!! was coal king there too?
Yea, 5 railroads I believe. C&NW, Milwaukee, CB&Q, LS&BC, and NYC. Today it’s Illinois Railnet.
Coal was king until the late 20’s. Nowadays fried chicken and beer is king.
Back in the 1960’s, there was a guy in town who wanted to build a restaurant on top of the slag pile. The design was Space Needle-ish looking and would’ve been a pretty neat and unique thing to see. However, nobody would go for it.