From my limited knowledge, it seems that popular train-watching sites develop fond nicknames. For example:
Rochelle, IL - Double Diamonds
Fostoria, OH - Iron Triangle
Folkston, GA - Folkston Funnel.
Perhaps others out there know of other train-watching hot spots and the nicknames they are given? Inquiring minds, etc.,
Thanks, al-in-chgo
Deshler ohio-crossroads of the B&O or the corn city
stay safe
Joe
People usually give places nicknames when they can make something easier to remember, or catchier, or whatever. For example, the “Racetrack” is a little easier to say than “BNSF’s former Burlington three-track main line between Chicago and Aurora…uh, Illinois.”
(Little factoid–although the BNSF seems to run its trains faster, timetable speed limits are higher on UP’s west line for both freight and passenger trains. Racetrack?)
If you were to come up to me and ask if I wanted to see the action at the Double Diamonds, you’d probably be greeted with a blank stare. “Rochelle”, on the other hand, will get an immediate response–and I’ll know you aren’t talking about Global 3 or the Cold Storage plant. Where else but one of the vertices of the “Iron Triangle” would one go to in Fostoria? These places usually don’t need nicknames in our circles.
There are a few places where a nickname is sufficient. If I were to say “the Curve” or “the Loop” in a railfanning context, even a Chicagoan would know where I was talking about (Tehachapi, not downtown, in the case of the latter.) “The Pass” wouldn’t be as easy–fortunately, it’s just as easy to say Cajon, if that’s the pass I mean.
…I believe we know where “Horseshoe Curve” is too…
…And in years past…Muleshoe Curve.
…Should mention Sandpatch too…
How about BNSF’s “peavine”?
That’s not really accurate anyway- there’s actually four of them.
The BNSF Eola Yard in Aurora, IL is now christened “Eolaland” since it’s our train watching “amusement park”.
You’ve given me an excellent idea for a “Where is it” post. I’m going to steal a picture, and let’s see who recognizes the location. Since you are already aware of the four locations, Brian, perhaps you could hold off until others have had the opportunity to take a stab.
Hmmm… checked out your thread, but I can’t place that location.
For the most part, I just name my train watching spots by the closest Metra Station, if there is one on the line, or another geographical feature, such as:
The IHB main at Linden Ave in LaGrange is simply knows as CP LaGrange, from the name on the signal box. I am also at “Harding Ave” or “Hanesworth Park” along that same line. On the BNSF or UP, I just go by the nearest street, or Metra Station. In years past, “The Curve” was the Milwaukee Road in Bensenville, behind the old Fireman’s Hall. “B17” or was it “B12”? Anyway, that was the old Milwaukee Rd/Soo Line diamonds in Franklin Park (Now CN/CP Rail.) “Bryn Mawr” was also along the ex Milwaukee Road, but farther up York Road, where the CNW and Milwaukee Rd ran parallel(now it’s CP Rail / Union Pacific, and you can’t get back there anymore, because it runs along the perimeter of O’Hare Airport) I remember seeing the American Freedom Train go through there in 1976… “The Bridge” was simply the ICG bridge over Butterfield Rd, in Hillside, and “Abbey Paving” was the crossing just west of Wolf Rd also along the ICG in Hillside.
I tend to think that nicknames for hot spots are usually a personal preference. In general, some of us are familiar with the “big” ones. i.e. Rochelle, Fostoria, Folkston, Tehachapi, etc, by either reputation, or having been there. But, I think some of us give the places a name that is our own…
Here in California there are a couple hot spots; Walong aka Tehachapi Loop and Cajon Pass aka the Big Cajona.
This is SO cool, guys. I should scoop Kalmbach and publish my own guidebook of train-watching nicknames! [8D]
Keep it up, please.
al-in-chgo
Can’t think of the name between Spokane and Sandpoint. GN NP UP MILW.
Anyone? Anyone?
That would be the funnel.
Is that because a lot of traffic “funnels” or squeezes through from different lines, like the Folkston Funnel in Georgia?
al-in-chgo
Note to Spokyone and DRGWFan:
You might want to look at my updated posting under the topic “HOW I SPENT MY WINTER VACATION.” I had a funnel-definition question to answer and wound up quoting your posts that are, I believe, the second and third above this one regarding a Pacific NW funnel.
Do you mean so in the Folkston (GA) sense, that different lines or routes funnel down and squeeze through a narrow conduit – making for hectic schedules and frequent viewing of trains?
If so, is there any particular hot spot or community you would regard as being best-suited for the purpose of RR enthusiasts and photographers? It doesn’t necessarily have to have a dedicated community viewing shelter like Folkston or Rochelle (IL), so long as it’s safe and legal.
Very best, al-in-chgo
Only two RRs left in Spokane area. I do not know of a dedicated spot in Spokane area, but tracks pass near a bluff east of Amtrak where UP and BNSF are funneled through downtown. Dead end streets are good spots to take pics, looking down on multi tracks. Many good spots looking west towards Latah junction and Spokane junction if you have nice glass like CopCarSS.
Then in Sandpoint ID the UP goes north to Canada. BNSF splits onto former GN and NP. Lots of action there. And you probably have seen pics of the bridge over the lake.
