Powder River Basin

[favuprailroadfan]

If anybody on here has been to the PRB, write me back and tell me the best spots to watch the action, and take pictures. I know Bill is a good spot, but I want to know how to get to Logan Hill, Whitetail Hill, where are all the action is?

Please write back on this please, because its almost vacation time.

[Anonymous]

Dru--You might want to headquarter in Douglas,WY where you can go N toward Bill or go S to some other features. Much of PRB is flat somewhat featureless grassland, but south of Douglas there are scenic areas you must search out and perhaps walk to.The main line follows Hwy59 about15 miles n of Douglas. You'll see lots of trains here and some bridges, overpasses etc. You can follw 59 all way to Gillette and see trains all along the way. There are also some dirt roads to the tracks which sometimes is not in complete sight from 59. South of Douglas go to Orin junction exit 126 head east, you'll pass under the BNSF main line. continue up Hwy 18/20 and go to E. Antelope RD (10-15 mi) turn left and follow to 1st 90degree left, and on on your right you will be paralleling the main UP line. Follow the road to the underpass-you'll pass through several ranches but this is a public county rd. At the underpass you are just south of the split of the triple tracked UP/BNSF PRB line. There are some nice scenic features here--but unfortunately also some private land-generally the RR are kind to people who carry cameras and stay away from the tracks.
Get some good maps--I like Delorme's Wyoming Atlas and Gazeteer-find Guernsey-go there for BNSF shops and yards. Go to Guernsey state park follow the tracks there for good pictures. Follow the tracks east from Shawnee for UP going east.
Don't forget Cheyenne and the activity there. If you ask you can get into round house and see 844 and 6935,951,3985 many days. Also the famous picture places just west of Cheyenne yard, and Sherman Hill between Ch and Laramie. Good maps are a must because this is Wyo and sometimes roads are scarce and hard to find. Hope this helps.

[favuprailroadfan]

Doug, Thanks for all the info. It really should help in my quest to get the best pictures that I can.


Dru