Looking for a good Railfan location for a fall trip

[Anonymous]

Each Fall we take at trip to some Railroad location. We've just about exhausted southern Pennsylvania, having seen Steamtown, Strasburg, Horseshoe Curve, Railroad Museum of PA, Railroaders' Heritage Museum, Allegheny Portage RR, Gallitzin Tunnel, town of Cresson, PA, East Broad Top, etc.
We are looking for some new places to go to, and would even like to take a tour of a Diesel manufacturing/assembly plant if possible. I live in MA and am looking for places within a 6-8 hr drive.
Thanks

[cacole]

Well, I guess that leaves Chicago out of the possibilities -- the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois, is one of the nation's largest, and there are many "hot spots" around the Chicago area.

[Anonymous]

Rochelle

[Anonymous]

They may not be the busiest rail spots, but Durand and Wyoming Michigan are two of the busiest RR spots in MI. Durand has a Double track CN main and a huge yard while Wyoming has a decent size CSX yard and a locomotive shop and car repair shop. Both have excellent spots for photograph

"Just My 2 Cents"

[cwclark]

I believe one of the most beautiful spots for rail fanning is the UP tracks from Provo to Price Utah. There is a coal mine in Price and the trains run double headed through the mountains..not to mention the action on the railroad, and the whine of the dynamic brakes and the sound of the awesome power the locomotives put out trying to make the grades, there is one spot on highway 6 where you can pull over, set up your camera, and take pictures of the trains coming and going thru a tunnel before they enter Price...Chuck

[twhite]

Unfortunately, my two recommendations for fall railfanning are more than 6-8 hours from you. For incredible fall scenery, I'd suggest either the Toltec & Cumbres or the Silverton Line in southwestern Colorado. Tourist railroads to be sure, but the setting is just breathtaking!
Tom

[jwr_1986]

I'll have to monitor this topic because i live in upstate NY and have been looking for a good place to go.

Jesse

[Anonymous]

Don't think you mentioned North Conway in New Hampshire. The Conway Scenic Railroad runs steam and diesel excursions. Great area for a visit. There's also in the area the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, and White's Trading post has short trips with geared engines. I've been in the area quite a few times.

Bob Boudreau

[red p]

Im really not sure what makes a good rail fan location,as thats something I dont do.
But Fostoria OH. seems to be popular.There is a NS line that is crossed by 2 CSX lines
That form a triangle.Also the city of Fostoria is going to be building a railfan park but im not sure when it will get finished.
Both the NS and CSX have yards there,so it is a pretty busy little place

[Vampire]

Have you been to the B&O Museum in Baltimore? It's definitely worth a trip. How about the Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass, WV? If you enjoy geared loco's climbing up switchbacks through beautiful mountain scenery then that's a must-see. Only thing is it's a bit farther than 6-8 hours... Cass is kind of remote. Cumberland, MD has some good CSX action on the old B&O mainline plus there's the Western Maryland Scenic Railway that runs out of the old "WIld Mary" depot. The Holiday Inn in downtown Cumberland has rooms that face the CSX tracks too, if you don't mind a few trains rolling by during the night.

I'll also second Fostoria, OH. I try to visit Fostoria whenever I get back east to see my folks and it doesn't disappoint.

Here are the web sites for:
Western Maryland Scenic: www.wmsrr.com

Cass Scenic Railroad: www.cassrailroad.com

[Anonymous]

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We are looking for some new places to go to, and would even like to take a tour of a Diesel manufacturing/assembly plant if possible.
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Man, I wi***hey would do tours of the GE plant in Erie. I would love that. I've spent many hours in the repair shops in Steamtown, just watching the guys rebuild the steam. I guess you did the walk through tour of the HD plant in York while you were in southern Pa.

Ken

[Anonymous]

Try the huge CSX yard in Selkirk, NY.

[Anonymous]

Sand Patch.

[tstage]

trainmanZ3,

I want to concur with Bob about the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. To visit the top of Mt. Washington is terrific anyhow. But to go up via the Cog is great is even better! I've done it twice now. Both over 30 years ago. One time we couldn't even go up because the winds were blowing over 70 MPH. A beautiful part of the country around Gorham, NH...and definitely within the 6-8 hour driving distance. (Unless you live way out on the Cape.)

Tom

[Don Gibson]

TrainmanZ3:

This is the best. Fly & Rent.

http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/

[Anonymous]

Having recently been to Chama I have to agree with all of those who are suggesting Cumbres and Toltec......The fall Aspens would be spectacular along with Narrow gauge steam.....