Hello all. I’ve lived in Anchorage for many years and am leaving at the beginning of July for a 4-6 week road trip around the west and southwest states. I’ve been a train watcher (vicariously) through Trains mag for 40 years but have never actually had the chance to stand near trains to listen and see them. i want to do it as much as possible this trip and have a few spots listed but need some more. On my list so far are the spiral tunnels at Kicking Horse Pass, the yards and roundhouse at Brooklyn, in Portland, the loop near Keddie, the Keddie Wye, Bailey yard in North Platte and some of th steam railroads in NM and AZ. I’ll be traveling in a late model chev pickup with a camper or trailer and have plenty of time, as I’m retired from the US Air Force (63-85, enlisted) and the City of Anchorage (86-11, data and phone network supervisor). I have a pile of questions about train watching and am a true neophyte when it comes to being on the ground. I watch the Ak Railroad but it’s somewhat limited with just one main, plus many locations are out of reach except in winter, when snowmobiles are the only way in. I do plenty of snowmobiling but the places become very familiar very fast. Please give me some suggestions as to good locations that are easy for a rookie to get to and any cautions you may have, again, for a rookie. I’m new at watching but I’m not a rube, as I’ve travelled quite a bit with the USAF. Thanks all, for your suggestions and assistance.
Hi Joe:
Welcome to the forums. We’re glad to have you with us.
My only time in Alaska was transiting to and from Japan. I’m also a retired Air Force MSgt (85-07).
There are a lot of good folks here who can answer your questions. Might I suggest you post in the “Flatwheel Diner” thread for your questions.
Once again, welcome.
If you are going to NM I suggest Ado Canyon on the ATSF also Flagstaff AZ on the BNSF for lots of Action. If you want to go into CA then go see Cajon Pass and Techaphai Loop in Southern Ca Donner Pass in Northern CA and the Feather River Canyon are nice to see. Another one to see would be Moffet Tunnel in Colorado for UP action. If you make it to IL there is the Diamonds in Rochelle and Edelstein Hill and Houlahans Curve Plus the Racetrack on the BNSF for all the Scoots into and out of the City. For Museums Colorado has a Nice one at Golden near the Brewery the Georgetown loop Cumbres and Toltec Durango and Sliverton are very Nice. In the Midwest the Illinois Railway Museum at Union is hard to beat along with the National Railway at Green Bay in WI.
You’ve bitten off a lot to chew. I am not that familiar with everything you’ve chosen but agree they are the places to see. BUT DON"T hurry yourself in any place you re seeing nor zip by something that catches your eye or imaginiation while on your way to another place. If you got time, just stretch it; if you don’t have the time, don’t worry, you can come back. MOST IMPORTANT: enjoy everything you do see and do!.
Hi, and again, welcome to the Forum!
From the sound of things, you aren’t so much interested in spectacular photography as you are in just seeing (and hearing) the trains. If you were to venture as far east as Chicago, I’m sure we could help. I would encourage you, should you visit the yard in North Platte (by all means go up into the tower!) to take time and drive east on U.S. 30 at least as far as Grand Island. Much of this stretch of UP is three tracks of heavy freight action, and at Grand Island, the BNSF crosses over UP. There is supposed to be a park or something going in, in the southwest quadrant of that area, but I don’t know how much progress has been made.
You should also get some experience in listening to trains on something less than level ground. If you can get somebody to show you Hill 582 on Cajon Pass, in southern California, there is no better place for heavy pulling and dynamic brakes. Another place to observe BNSF on a grade would be Kingman, Arizona.
These are probably not the most spectacular places possible for observing trains, but (with the possible exception of Hill 582) they keep you fairly close to civilization. And if you really want civilization and lots of trains, just park in the lot at Fullerton, California, and sit on the depot platform. Plenty of freight, Amtrak, and commuter traffic there.
Wow, what good suggestions! The tower at North Platte is a definite yes, as is the run to Grand Island. It’s likey that’s as far east as I’ll go this summer, as I also want to see the new double track at Abo and some of the steam ops in NM. I’m going to Hoover Dam via Raton, Abo, Flag and Kingman so will try to catch those, too. I won’t get to SoCal this time, either, but from Hoover I’ll be going north to Ely, Reno, then Quincy, CA, where I have a small lot in the Sierra that I’ve never seen. The loop and Keddie are nearby. From Quincy it’s Portland, Seattle then back to Alaska, via Jasper/Banff and the spiral tunnels. Yes, it’s ambitious and aggressive but even if I stay in a spot for a few hours to catch the action, it’ll be a good time. I grew up in Chicago, IL and rode steam trains '50-'57 or so but didn’t realize they were fading. No one in my family was interested in trains as other than transport and it didn’t take with me until I was about 30 or so. Thanks all, for the nice notes and welcome. Any secret spots along my route that you can tell me about will be appreciated. I’ll follow the TRAINS suggestions and be respectful, safe, etc, as I want to see as many places as possible before I run out of time. Thanks again, all.
WELCOME JOE…GLAD YOU DROPPED BY…COME BACK SOON AND OFTEN!!!
Welcome to the forums, Joe!! you’ve gotten a lot of good suggestions from several people on here. Glad to have you aboard! Enjoy your trip, and hope you’ll enjoy being on the forums.
[#welcome] to the forums Joe!!
Columbia River Gorge from Portland & Vancouver (Wash.) eastwards, esp. along the BNSF on the northern side to Hood River, then along the UP through the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon (La Grande, Pendleton, etc.).
Get a scanner and list of the radio channels/ frequencies for each railroad in that area.
Join BNSF’s “Citizens for Rail Security”, and carry the card with you - see: http://www.citizensforrailsecurity.com/crs-home.html
- Paul North.
Hi, Joe!
What a topic you started …
A few visuals to spark your interest based on your upcoming travel listing, and a few comments:
North Platte, NE, and the Golden Spike Tower:
UP’s triple-track main … Like at Kearney, NE and nearby:
Kingman, AZ:
The Abo Canyon two-tracking is basically inaccessible, so be forewarned. But, the volume of trains in the area is fantast
Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!! My property is right up the road from Keddie and I’ll be going over Raton and through Kingman on my way from the Golden Spike Tower to Hoover Dam.
One commentor suggested a scanner but I have to tell you, I’m green at this. I’d like to get a copy of the train watchers guide but doubt if the mail will get it to me in time. Can I get the publication in stores/shops? I can’t find it in Anchorage.
As to scanners, please give me a recommendation for a low-cost brand that’ll get me started. I’ll need a book, I suppose of the language, too.
Talk about a newbie! I’m 67 and feel like an 8 year old. I suppose I’ll run into some other watchers and will try not to be a pest. Thanks again, all, you make me feel welcome.
I would highly recommend So Calif with such places as Caliiente, Colton, San Bernardino, Cajon Pass, Barstow, Needles & Daggett [:)]
Here is a video I took when I visited the Golden Spike Tower in NP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESHrt05YcrA
[:)]
[#welcome] Aboard!!!
As I said earlier…follow what you like and if you like and stay too long, don’t worry. As for a scanner, a lot of roads are going digital but there is still a lot of analog, too. Hope some western fans can steer you to digital or analog. Analog scanners are, of course, cheapest. Howver, whichever you need to get, to keep it simple and hopefully inexpensive, I’d go to Radio Shack and ask them for guidence. Or if there is a good small radio TV (big box clerks are trained to sell, not necessarily guide), or, if you know any local police or emergency people, their radio expert may be able to guide you.