A buddy of mine and I are going to be in Oxford, MS in a couple of months for a basketball game. We are both rail fans, and would like to do some train watching the day before/after the game.
Am looking for some suggestions between Jackson and Memphis. Also, interested in any lodging that might be along the tracks.
I found the write up about Jackson in the Trains Hot Spots guide regarding KC Southern's Meridian Speedway, but was kind of surprised that there's "only" 15-20 trains a day...hoping for something a little busier. Also have the write up on Memphis that's in the Trains guide.
Thanks in advance.
Closest thing to you with any significant volume is BNSF (ex-Frisco) going through Holly Springs. There may be some desultory action on Mississippi Central, which goes from Oxford through junction with BNSF up to Grand Junction where it interchanges with the ex-Southern.
Some interesting traffic further west from Oxford on the north-south IC main; you'd go west on 6 to 51. I would have to test out some potential spots and get GPS or route markers for you along here.
Pity there is not much action remaining in Jackson TENNESSEE which at one time had 5 railroads and some interesting through trains.
An obvious spot in Memphis is 'Channel 3 drive' just south and west of where I-55 turns to go over (and parallel to!) the Frisco and Harahan bridges. From there you can walk out on the 'Great River Crossing' and be safely just feet away from the south Harahan track...
A canonical Memphis watching spot is Kentucky St and "Broadway" which is just west of where Amtrak crosses all the bridge traffic at grade. This used to have many tracks and a 5mph restriction with stop signs (!) but has now been rationalized. For some reason there's never a train here when I go, but there is one at Channel 3 drive ... go figure!
There should be more traffic on the connection on the CN's IC freight line between Poplar viaduct (on the north) and the connection to ex-L&N CSX off Warford St at Chelsea in the south. Trains tend to lay up going north and east with their power just east of Cox St. off Central, but you have to sneak a bit on private property to get even a partial view of the power. It is a bit difficult to get near the IC tracks north of this (up to where it joins the 'riverfront' route via Central Station that Amtrak uses four times a day), but there are a couple of interesting locations. South there is access through the Riviana Foods plant (although you wouldn't guess this unless you actually started through it!) to good views for both watching and photography.
Perhaps you'll still find one of the hump engines at BNSF Tennessee Yard in faded Warbonnet colors, or 1837 near the Kellogg plant in old BN green with a white face ... how many years has THAT been?
I live about 30 miles north of Oxford and have poked around a bit. BNSF east of Memphis is probably about 20 trains per day on single track CTC line more or less parallel I 22/US78, and old highway (178) is sometimes adjacent.
The short line at Holly Springs is nothing but a car storage operation. This was at one time the IC's main line between Chicago and New Orleans. There is a huge old Victorian depot and hotel on this line and the old freight house is said to be pre civil war. This all east of the square and easy to find.
For logding there is a B&B in Como, and a great restaruant. Both are on the main street facing the former IC passenger line which is now a barely active short line.
Current CN freight line is a few miles further west. If I had to guess traffic it would be 15-20 trains per day. I have never camped out along side it, let alone for a full day.
I would not recommend anything in Memphis. Too many crazy people with guns.
Mac
Thanks, Overmod and PNWRMNM for the responses--appreciate it.
Overmod Closest thing to you with any significant volume is BNSF (ex-Frisco) going through Holly Springs. There may be some desultory action on Mississippi Central, which goes from Oxford through junction with BNSF up to Grand Junction where it interchanges with the ex-Southern. Some interesting traffic further west from Oxford on the north-south IC main; you'd go west on 6 to 51. I would have to test out some potential spots and get GPS or route markers for you along here. Pity there is not much action remaining in Jackson TENNESSEE which at one time had 5 railroads and some interesting through trains. An obvious spot in Memphis is 'Channel 3 drive' just south and west of where I-55 turns to go over (and parallel to!) the Frisco and Harahan bridges. From there you can walk out on the 'Great River Crossing' and be safely just feet away from the south Harahan track... A canonical Memphis watching spot is Kentucky St and "Broadway" which is just west of where Amtrak crosses all the bridge traffic at grade. This used to have many tracks and a 5mph restriction with stop signs (!) but has now been rationalized. For some reason there's never a train here when I go, but there is one at Channel 3 drive ... go figure! There should be more traffic on the connection on the CN's IC freight line between Poplar viaduct (on the north) and the connection to ex-L&N CSX off Warford St at Chelsea in the south. Trains tend to lay up going north and east with their power just east of Cox St. off Central, but you have to sneak a bit on private property to get even a partial view of the power. It is a bit difficult to get near the IC tracks north of this (up to where it joins the 'riverfront' route via Central Station that Amtrak uses four times a day), but there are a couple of interesting locations. South there is access through the Riviana Foods plant (although you wouldn't guess this unless you actually started through it!) to good views for both watching and photography. Perhaps you'll still find one of the hump engines at BNSF Tennessee Yard in faded Warbonnet colors, or 1837 near the Kellogg plant in old BN green with a white face ... how many years has THAT been?
What are the other two Amtrak trains besides the two City of New Orleans that pass through Memphis?
BLS53 What are the other two Amtrak trains besides the two City of New Orleans that pass through Memphis?
I am double counting. Only one City pair, morning southbound, evening north. (Got carried away when I discovered two trains on ex-NYC west of Cleveland when I only remembered one.)
IC (Yazoo and MS Valley) line is further west on MS 6 than US51, it is at Marks MS. The ex IC line at Batesville is now an Iowa Pacific shortline which sees little traffic. Marks now has an Amtrak station.
Let us know how the game turned out. Wichita St first preseason game is two wks from tonight
Thanks for the replies. As for the game, we are Iowa State graduates--coming down to see Iowa State play at Ole Miss in basketball in January. Looking forward to seeing some new areas.
PNWRMNM I live about 30 miles north of Oxford and have poked around a bit. BNSF east of Memphis is probably about 20 trains per day on single track CTC line more or less parallel I 22/US78, and old highway (178) is sometimes adjacent. The short line at Holly Springs is nothing but a car storage operation. This was at one time the IC's main line between Chicago and New Orleans. There is a huge old Victorian depot and hotel on this line and the old freight house is said to be pre civil war. This all east of the square and easy to find. For logding there is a B&B in Como, and a great restaruant. Both are on the main street facing the former IC passenger line which is now a barely active short line. Current CN freight line is a few miles further west. If I had to guess traffic it would be 15-20 trains per day. I have never camped out along side it, let alone for a full day. I would not recommend anything in Memphis. Too many crazy people with guns. Mac
Too many crazy people with guns is accurate - took pictures a number of times at the Kentucky St/Broadway crossing in the 1950's. I wouldn't go anywhere near that area now without a platoon of Navy Seals.
You have got to be kidding. Nobody goes to Oxford, MS to watch basketball.
OK...... so some people do. To be honest, my wife, daughter, and I visited old friends in Memphis a couple of years ago and then went to Oxford to see Kentucky play Ole Miss. The basketball arena at Ole Miss is relatively new and easily one of the most comfortable places to watch basketball in the SEC. It probably won't be totally packed either as Ole Miss is projected to be at or near the bottom of the conference this year. Basketball tickets at Ole Miss are remarkably cheap compared to many other schools too.
If you are in to literary things, a visit to the William Faulkner House in Oxford is worth the time. You'll see where in moments of inspiration he would jot story ideas on the walls and the window air-conditioner which Faulkner's widow installed a day or two after his funeral in the 1970's. Faulkner himself hated air conditioning and would not allow it in his house.
We cannot recommend the Soulshine Pizza Company in Oxford. It looks trendy and inviting but it may have served the least satisfying pizza I have ever had in a college town.
Railfanning notion - If I were making this trip, I would want to get a photo of the southbound City of New Orleans making the stop at Central Station in Memphis. To shoot it during basketball season (end of January..... Big 12-SEC Challenge, right?) the light might be better if the train is running a little late. IF you are in Memphis at that time of day, DO have breakfast across the street from Central Station at the Arcade Restaurant. I don't know if Elvis ever ate there BUT since the place pretty much looks the way it did in the 1950's, you'll be expecting Elvis to walk in any minute.
So...... if you're making a Memphis morning of it, you may catch some action coming off the bridge from Arkansas with favorable lighting conditions. You might have an interest in riding and/or photographing the Memphis trollies, and if you're still in town by lunch time, Central Bar-B-Q located by the Lorraine Motel/Civil Rights Museum (site of the MLK assassination) is only a few blocks from Central Station.
All, thanks again for the responses. Will definitely, if end up in Memphis, be careful. As for the basketball game, yes, did see Ole Miss is picked for last. But, we have not fared so well in this challenge--a road game in the middle of conference season isn't easy. We both have demanding careers, and try to get back to ISU about 3 out 4 years for football/basketball, and in the 4th, take a road trip. Always enjoy seeing new country, a different campus, and this is one area neither of us have been to. Appreciate all the suggestions.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.