Ok guys, this is a bit of a survay. What is your top train watching location in your area? And Why is it? Is it because of the people you, the train density or is it just the location?
Go on, dont be bashful!
In Massachusetts, I would have to say that Palmer is at the top of the list followed by Pittsfield.
This of course is in MHO!
My favourite spot is the NSW main Southern line between Cullerin and Fish River. Cullerin is the top of the Great Dividing Range, the highest rail point between Melbourne and Sydney. The climb from Fish River to Cullerin is continuous, up a valley and is paralled by a really good road, which was National Highway 31 until replaced by a Freeway in about 1990. The road is, in places, actually on the earlier rail alignment, replaced in 1915 with double track on an easier grade.
The combination of curves and grades mean that you can get three photographs of any train that comes through, since the speeds are low both climbing and descending the hill. You don’t have to exceed 60MPH to overtake the XPT passenger trains which are allowed 100 MPH just north of Cullerin!
A road bridge about halfway down the hill allows shots in both directions and good shots can be taken from morning until sundown, by picking your location properly.
It is the busiest main line in the state, and further shots can be obtained of southbound trains at Gunning, the next station south, which has preserved heritage buildings including a hand operated crane.
Northbound trains can be chased to Goulburn, which is a crew change point and has a major wagon maintenance facility (although it is just a shadow of its importance before privatisation.)
In Goulburn, there are at least signals to tell you what is happening. South of there there are only automatic signals, but quite a few are still upper quadrant semaphores.
But this is all I’ve got, anyway!
Peter
Hands down Palmer Mass. Second would be Westfield ma because my sister lives near the tracks and third would be Chester Mass with their restored depot.
Gary
Horseshoe Curve. Purely because of the volume of traffic.
Either that or the southern bank of a creek that runs along the old Bessemer & Lake Erie line at McBride, PA (Milepost 26 I think and McBride isn’t even really a place). But there is very, very little traffic and its always the same thing.
BNSF Crawford Hill. Why,It’s just a very good Place to watch Coal Trains work their Hearts out as they tackle this massive Hill. Plus it’s a very good Place to be away from the hussle & bussle of the big city’s.
My favorite train spotting area is West Chiocago Illinois. I like it because my favorite railroad goes through their, (Elgin Joliet and Eastern) and the junction makes the place look very historic, and the place is very historic. I also like it because it is the only spot where I get to see cool things, like UP#3300, EJ&E trains, NFS high hoods, SW… locos, and only their.
Truckee, California. Good snow, good friends, good digs, warm food, cold beer.
Rochelle IL for me for one thing you will not be run out of there since there is a public place to watch them from. Also the fact you see both of the big western RR run thourgh at any time.
Folkston,GA CSX,AMT and some other things it’s closest to home so that is my #1
Warning do not go in the summertime
kevin
Number 1: Danville, KY at NS rail yard. Reasons: public access, lots of actions, Norfolk Southern!!
Number 2: Greenville, SC (was my number 1 until I moved up to KY this past year), main line by Rutherford Road. Reasons: NS travels fast through this area, plenty of action, Norfolk Southern!!
Steve
For sheer volume and frequency Fostoria, Ohio can’t be beat. A bit closer to home, Durand, Michigan isn’t bad, nor is Lapeer, though both are subject to heinous lulls. I used to visit Oak Harbor, Ohio during the late Conrail years, but haven’t been back lately. Interestingly (at least to me), I’ve never had much luck at such famous trainwatching locations as Marion, Ohio or Delray Jct. in Detroit. And of course, the two locales that make up my handle ain’t bad either
Since I live about a three minute walk away from the Joint Line here in Colorado, I am happy when I can hear the southbound coal drags rumbling towards my location. My fave spot is around tunnel #1 on the Moffat line. However if Tenn Pass was still in operation then I would say that would be my fave spot,especially around Mitchell. In the East I would have to say Horseshoe Curve, because of the sheer volume of trains.[:D]
Mine is Sand Patch. Nice scenery, especially in the fall, and a good supply of trains.
As a young railfan in the 70’s my favorite was Effingham, Il. due to the crossing of the Penn Central and Illinois Central mainlines. I would pack a lunch and spend the day there in the depot, listening for the “ding” of the interlocking machine announcing another train.
As an adult, my favorite railfanning spot is my house. Two scanners keep me informed of the movements on the NS (Ft Wayne - Chicago) and CN (Canada - Chicago) lines plus the CSX mainline to Chicago if radio reception is good.
Not so many pictures today, just listening in.
ed
read my signature.
good people great action
stay safe
Joe
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Flagstaff, Arizona. It’s on the BNSF Transcon. The volume of trains going by is huge. You can use a regular lens and shoot pictures from the train station, which is pretty neat all by itself. The scenery is great, too. Best of all, it’s not far from Williams, Arizona, start point for the Grand Canyon Railroad. Does anyone know if BNSF built the cut off around Flagstaff? The locals in the town all uniformly hated the railroad- because the main streets in town had grade crossings- and all heartily wished it would go away.
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Manchester, Georgia. This is the CSX connection between Atlanta and points south, east, and west. There is a public platform for watching trains with a scanner built in. There are lots of trains to watch go by, and they are a wonderfully mixed bag of unit trains, auto trains, and general freight. I’ve never been disappointed in good, interesting camera shots of crews changing. Oddly enough, for CSX, the crews are pretty patient about local yokels with cameras so long as you stay away and be safe. They will even wave at you.
Erik
I think I have some good suggestions for you.
The UPRR Sunset Route from Lax to Tucson has easy access & lots of traffic if you just like to see trains moving.
If you like to see “real railroading” then you have to get to Riverside, Colton & Daggett, CA
If you want super of views of trains going up or downhill Cajon Pass (the summit or Hesperia hill) is the ticket. Their is also Caliente CA which also has a horseshoe curve & at the bottom a passing siding where EBs wait for the WBs to pass them.
BTW all but the Sunset Route are both UPRR & BNSF action
I think I have some good suggestions for you.
The UPRR Sunset Route from Lax to Tucson has easy access & lots of traffic if you just like to see trains moving.
If you like to see “real railroading” then you have to get to Riverside, Colton & Daggett, CA
If you want super of views of trains going up or downhill Cajon Pass (the summit or Hesperia hill) is the ticket. Their is also Caliente CA which also has a horseshoe curve & at the bottom a passing siding where EBs wait for the WBs to pass them.
BTW all but the Sunset Route are both UPRR & BNSF action