view/photo trains?

[evaddek]

I live in northern mich. and would like to find a good place to watch trains
and take photos. a days drive will be fine.
thanks
dave

[tree68]

Are you in the UP or northern lower peninsula?

[JoeKoh]

Dave welcome to the forums!
Trains did a guide to detroit rrs in their magazine.Im sure its around in the website somewhere.If it really isnt too far for you come down to deshler or fostoria ohio.people from other states do too.
stay safe
joe

[evaddek]

I live in Cadillac the northern lower.I'm about 4hrs from the Soo and 41/2 hrs from
southern border .I'll have to look at a map to find Deshler and Fostoria.We have the TSBY RR in this area which own 10 GP35 with two in my area. Joe when is the best time of the week to be in the area(s) ?
thank you both.
dave

[CShaveRR]

Dave,

The nearest place of any significance to you would probably be Grand Rapids--the CSX line isn't what it used to be, but you'll still get CSX and CP trains anywhere along that line. I don't know whether the bridge crossing the Thornapple River east of town (near Alto) is as photogenic or accessible as it used to be.

You can get good Amtrak action in Kalamazoo.

Or, follow 131 down to Schoolcraft, where the NS crosses the Canadian National (old GTW). Quite a bit of freight action there, including plenty of foreign power.

And, speaking of the GTW, I know that you could probably get to Durand and back in a day. The old depot is worth seeing, and most of the CN trains you'd see at Schoolcraft will be there, too.

[tree68]

The Detroit area has a number of interesting spots (check out the Detroit Trackside Guide in Trains last year - June?).

There aren't many spots to just sit and watch (besides a restaurant right next to the tracks), but Plymouth is pretty busy.

Durand isn't the busiest junction in the world, but I enjoyed the couple of hours I spent there last fall. There is also a small museum in the station. You also will not be terribly far from PM 1225 (a 2-8-4 Berkshire) in Owosso.

Regardless of where you go, stock up on the local frequencies, but be sure you abide by the MI scanner law. I understand they can get a tad fussy about it. You may be able to get a scanner permit from MSP - check out their website. Several of the folks I saw at Durand had scanner in hand...

Enjoy!

[JoeKoh]

Dave
usually mornings are the best.Last saturday on the way to Fostoria I noticed Trains were backed up at the diamond to get through Deshler.Also while in fostoria we missed a couple because they went up the c&o and we were at the depot.
happy hunting
Joe