Being a new fan to railroads, I have several questions…instead of “Where’s Waldo”, where is Duplainville in Wisconsin, which has been referenced several times as a great place to watch trains. Also, in viewing the webcam at Rochelle, I have noticed that the UP trains pass on the right while the BNSF trains pass on the left, like we do when driving a car…I would sure appreciate any answers…Thanks
The UP line is ex CNW territory. In the early days of passenger operations CNW put their station platforms on one side of the track and when they double-tracked the line it left the passenger platforms on the “wrong” side. Rather than spend a lot of money rebuilding, they just ran their trains “left-handed” to solve the problem. In the ensuing years the signal system has favored this and that is why it continues today. There are better explanations out there, but this gives you the basic idea.
If you have a good highway map that shows railroads – Duplainville is where the CP line that heads due west from Milwaukee (formerly Soo Line, and before that Milwaukee Road) crosses the CN (formerly Wisconsin Central, and before that Soo Line) at grade.
Find City of Waukesha on the map and look directly north.
By the way a little internet search should find a Duplainville website that a guy started some years ago - I think he no longer maintains it but it is still up there.
There is a diamond and through the 1980s, a manned tower which is now gone. It is a partly rural area which is becoming more populated - there are plenty of roads nearby and it is about two miles north of I-94. Back when the tower was manned the railroads were more tolerant of visitors than they are now, and if you walked to the tower the operator might invite you up for a visit, or at least walk down and describe what the upcoming trains were going to be. Those days are gone, alas, and anyone walking towards the diamond itself will be considered a tresspasser. There are decent sites for fanning and photography on public property however. If you are lucky you might catch either railroad switching local industries.
Dave Nelson
The End Zone Tavern is right at the diamond, and has excellent food. Generally at lunch there will be at least one train through the diamond, and we’ve seen as many as five. During the summer, the CN (WC) is a bit hard to see out the window, but the CPR is 10 feet away.
It is a great place to check out. I’ve been there three or four times…back when trespassing was not that big of an issue and parked right up by the diamond…but DON’T do that anymore. There are a fair amount of trains passing through. I was there from 6am to 6pm one day and almost caught 40 trains. Also, Amtrak is fun to watch going through there too cause of the speed, unless for some reason they have to cross over or have a speed restriction.
This topic brings back many a fond memories. Duppyville as we used to call it was a favorite place for lunch and a few beers when I worked at Concrete Research (now Spancrete I believe, last I knew) many a year ago. About 1969-1971. Railfanning back then was great there. I moved to the Trempealeau, WI in 1984 and now enjoy railfanning from the back deck overlooking the Mississippi River and the BNSF mainline in this area, with the now UP line across the river. Lots of action every day. Needless to say there is a basement full of HO gauge in the house with BN, BNSF, UP, SF, Green Bay & Western (which junctions with the BNSF a few miles upriver from here)and a few other fallen flag roads making appearences on the layout. The Waukesha area was a great location back then for railfanning with lots of action everywhere. Now where the H is Trempealeau, Wi. About 18 miles north of La Crosse, WI, in gods country of course. Thanks for bringing back memories with this topic, RRRerun@aol.com.
Thanks to all that responded with information and fond memories…yes you are sitting in God’s Country along the Mississippi. Thanks again for answering my questions.