Next week my family is planning to take a spring break trip to New Orleans to visit relatives down there. I’ve officially been granted a little time to do some railfanning in the area, and I think I may be able to do quite a bit without going far from my relatives’ house. They live in Metarie actually, and are with in a few miles of the Huey P Long railroad bridge, and only a few blocks from what I think is the CN/IC main line. From studying a few maps, I’ve been able to figure out that the CN/IC, New Orleans Public Belt, UP, BNSF, and possibly KCS run in this area. (Corrections on any of that is welcome).
The problem is I don’t know much about it. Can anyone give me any information on this area near the Huey P Long Bridge and North toward the NOPB and CN yards? Specifically radio frequencies would be helpful, as well as any good photo locations, and information about what kind of traffic I might expect to see. Are there any other railfanning spots in this area of New Orleans that are also good places to see and photograph trains as well? I’d like to make the best out of my trip.
If you join the Louisiana Railfan & Modeling Group on Yahoo!, you’re sure to get some good advice. The Group has 300+ members. You might have to wait a short time before being able to post (some groups require the moderator’s approval for new members), but shouldn’t be more than 24 hours. Once you’re approved, you can receive the group’s posts individually or in a daily digest.
I’ve been to New Orleans twice, albeit neither time w/ much time to railfan. My best words of advice - be REALLY careful. Its a beautiful city, its a fun city, but its a dangerous city. Walking around w/ an expensive camera will make you more of a target. I railfanned a bit, in more tourist oriented areas and didn’t have a problem. I’m unfortunately not sure if the St. Charles Street Car line is operating again yet, but it was a gem to photograph. I’m not much of a traction guy, but it caught my fancy bit-time. The gracious old cars, the grass lined right of way in the Blvd, the beautiful old homes of the Garden Dist. Lots of cool shots to be made there. The river front trolley was cool as well. Different cars, different setting, but fun to chase. I’m not sure when the New Orleans Public Belt RR works the water front between the French Quarter and the River, but its impressively heavy trackage. I work in rail transportation and when the floods hit, we spent time assessing the impact to each of the intermodal facilities, most of which are co-located with the manifest yards. CSX seemed to be in a part that was hit hard. KCS was as well. I’ve seen containers at Kansas City that were down there during the flood. CN seems to be out near Kenner - closer to the airport.
I seem to recall that most of UP’s facilities (yards) are across the river south of New Orleans. UP New Orleans is called Avondale and its a across the Huey Long bridge, to the South and a little west.
I’d check when the Amtrak City of New Orleans arrives / departs. The depot is right near the Superdome.