From one of my other posts some of you know I will be going out railfaning to NE and WY this fall. But I was reading the “North American Hotspots” book by Kalmbach, and it lists Bill, WY as a “hot spot”, however, under the “safety” section on Bill, WY it said that the roads can be impassable. Which naturally through up a red flag in my head with two questions:
How bad are the roads out in the boonies around Bill, WY?
Could a Chevy Malibu handle the roads in that area, or would I need a Hummer or a Tank[;)]?
Anyone who knows this, please let me know. Thanks!
Impassable brings to mind two things- A) Cannot be driven on by anything
or B) 4X4’s only, preferably a Jeep only because I am biased. Definately no Malibu on the road.
four legged mules ideal but most have temperament like wife so stick to something with four wheel drive such as jeep or hummer. But even the best four wheelers can get stuck on wyoming roads if passing rain storm in area. The clay is like glass to drive on and the best of 4-wheelers have been known to get stuck.
My Rand Mc Nally atlas says Bill,Wyoming is on State Road 59. It’s 35 miles north of Douglas.Map gives the impression Bill is on a paved road,not a stone or dirt road.It might be coal trains only on the railroad. Joe G.
Bill is on a paved road. North of Bill watch for Converse County Road 37, turn right and it will take you past the Antelope Mine. Keep on going and the road will turn north with the tracks to your left and sometimes out of sight. You will after while turn back west and cross the tracks, and then turns back north again to Wyo 450 and this is the location of Reno Jct., a good place to see trains coming and going from 3 directions. To the east just a few miles is Black Thunder Mine and beyond that is Jacobs Ranch Mine. Black Thunder Mine can be seen from the highway and is usually loading two trains at one time. Going north from Reno Jct. you go along side the tracks for quit aways before the road turns back west to join State 59. All the roads I have mentioned are paved. There are some dirt or gravel roads off of the paved road I’ve mentioned, but I have discovered that you can see a lot of trains without taking the side roads. It’s great country, lots of rail traffic (coal trains),both UP and BNSF. Enjoy yourself. Paul
General rule in Wyoming, if it isn’t a paved road you should have 4 wheel drive. I have a Ford Ranger and it is a bit low for the stuff that the roads around here throw at ya. But as stated before if you stay on city, state, and county roads you should be fine, maintained acounty roads can get a bit of washboard on them so go slow over them and you will be fine.