whats your favorite trainwatching spot

[spbed]

Well when I was at Colton in July the police cleaned the area out & began policing it with squad cars every hour or so which made a major impact in improving the conditions there literally in minutes. Before the clean up though it was less then a desirable spot because of all the homeless who were there. As the UPRR double tracking of the Sunset route continues it should only provide more & more trains moving thru Colton. In fact as the UPRR diverts more trains from the overland route to the BNSF transcon via Edelstein Colton will only become busier & may at some point out do Daggett & East Barstow in terms of volume. I will again be back there in late Oct so we will see if the improvements have continued from the clean up 

 

 

Mine have been named here:  Colton, Cajon Pass, and Daggett. 

Spbed, you and Toejam both listed maybe the busiest spot in Metropolitan L.A.:  Colton.  For sheer volume of trains, it's probably unbeatable.  Too bad about the neighborhood, huh?

Cajon Pass has probably the best combination of a multitude of trains and nice scenery in Southern California.   UP's old SP Palmdale Cut-off contributes here.

Daggett works if you love the desert and don't mind the heat.  ALL the BNSF Transcon, whether bound for northern or southern California, plus ALL the UP Cima Sub mainline action coming down from the Overland Route.  This works for me and it's never, never crowded. 

The number of trains per day, at any of these three sites, must be huge. 

[Prairietype]

Kansas City Union Station has been mentioned before as a great place, as has Parkville, Missouri which is on the BNSF w/in the metro area.  Another spot referenced is Argentine.

A little clarification about Argentine: The Argentine Flyover, as it's called is a three level interchange visible from many vantage points just west of Kansas City Union Station (about .8 mile).  It is not unusual to see 3, and at times 4-5 trains all moving through this interchange, on several levels passing, passing over, under, and running side-by-side.

Trains run through Union Station at times every 4-5 minutes. This happens all day long. There are some great restaurants that are nearly track side. Jack Fiorellas "Jackstack" barbeque has outdoor dining there. Not a lot of Amtrak but the daily Missouri State train is there in the morning and afternoon. Southwest Chief arrives east bound at around 7:30 in the morning.

I don't know if other cities have such vantage points or frequency of trains on this scale. But I've never been want for seeing a lot of trains anytime I'm there.

 

 

[garyla]

Mine have been named here:  Colton, Cajon Pass, and Daggett. 

Spbed, you and Toejam both listed maybe the busiest spot in Metropolitan L.A.:  Colton.  For sheer volume of trains, it's probably unbeatable.  Too bad about the neighborhood, huh?

Cajon Pass has probably the best combination of a multitude of trains and nice scenery in Southern California.   UP's old SP Palmdale Cut-off contributes here.

Daggett works if you love the desert and don't mind the heat.  ALL the BNSF Transcon, whether bound for northern or southern California, plus ALL the UP Cima Sub mainline action coming down from the Overland Route.  This works for me and it's never, never crowded. 

The number of trains per day, at any of these three sites, must be huge. 

[spbed]

Daggett or Colton without a doubt. Cajon Pass very, very close second choice.

[Glen Ellyn]

For the UP Geneva sub: Rochelle, West Chicago, and Berkely

For the BNSF Racetrack: Eola, Lisle, Downers Grove, Berwyn, LaGrange/Park

For the IHB: Franklin Park, LaGrange/Park 

For the EJ&E: West Chicago, Roundout

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

My #1 fav is River Junction (La Crescent) Minnesota where the mainline to Iowa and Kansas City (now the ICE) splits off from the CP's Twin Cities - Chicago mainline.  Back in the early-mid 80's this was a really cool place as you could get all sorts of foreign power (I've seen Katy and CR units on MILW trains between St. Paul and KC back in 1984).  #1A would have to be just across the River in La Crosse at Grand Crossing where CP and BNSF mains cross.  At one time this used to be a manual interlocking tower (now automated, of course).  #2 would have to be East Dubuque, Illinois where the CN's Iowa Division mainline (former IC/ICG/CC) joins the BNSF Chicago-Twin Cities-Seattle mainline down to Portage where the CN then splits off to go eastward to Chicago.  Just A LOT of BNSF action interspersed with occasional CN action.   

[SimRacin40]

Osborn Yard,in Louisville,KY,and varying points heading south on the old L&N.

[Anonymous]

Mine is no doubt Deshler, Ohio! 80-100 trains a day, and Chicken! Thanks to Bill, Joe, Kip, and all the rest in the Deshler Park family!

 

[TimChgo9]

CP LaGrange, in LaGrange IL.  IHB and BNSF action.

Hanesworth Park, in LaGrange Park, IL along the Indiana Harbor Belt.

Stone Ave Station, Lisle Station, Route 59 Station, Belmont Ave, and just about anywhere along the BNSF Aurora-Chicago main.

County Farm Rd, along the UP Geneva Sub, also, Wheaton, IL from the old CA&E bridge.  Elmhurst, IL at the west end of Proviso Yard.

Wilmington IL, in the DesPlaines Fish and Wildlife Preserve. The BNSF (ex-Santa Fe)

Sandwich/Somanauk area, along the BNSF west of Aurora.

Hmmm too many others to mention, I guess. 

 

[Steelcowboy]

My favorite trainwatching spot is Wadena,MN.  It is located on the BNSF (BN) Staples sub, transcon mainline.  I base myself there because of all the amenities this town has to offer for railfans,  The motel I stay at "The New Country Manor Motel"  is situated trackside and it has a restaurant/bar and grill attached to it called " Trackside restaurant and lounge"  On rainy days this 2 story motel has a balcony that faces the US10 and within a good stone's throw from the busy mainline,  this motel needs exposure so we're doing the best we can to put this place on the map;  http://home.att.net/~roadrailer/Minnesota.html   It does get noisy as there is a crossing west of there...but it never bothered me.  The amenities in Wadena are 2nd to none as there are many big name fast food places adjacent or next to the tracks...all with viewing or short walk away...DAIRY QUEEN and MACDONALD's across the street,  Quiznos next to the tracks with a a little patio set up,  Up the road about a mile is a Burger King, Subway and a newly opened SUPER WALMART open 24hours...good for film, tapes or anything you can imagine.  The law enforcement is really good there...just register or stop by the sherriff's office beforehand and you won't be harassed at all!!!! by state or local police agencies--unless of course you're being a jackass in the town's you visit.  Just be respectful and they'll respect you back.  There ya go,  that's my story!!!  Happy Railfanning:) 

[Anonymous]

Across from the Amtrak station in Altoona, PA

[Anonymous]

Across from the Amtrak station in Altoona, PA

[JoeKoh]

matt and i like to go to Deshler. dont know whose going through the diamond first.
stay safe
Joe

[JoeKoh]

matt and i like to go to Deshler. dont know whose going through the diamond first.
stay safe
Joe

[Hawks05]

i live in a really small railroad town. only have 5-6 trains a day. usually only 3 during the day. there are really only 3-5 spots to catch trains at. one is by the baseball field. there is a little open space right next to the tracks. makes for good shots but trees can be a problem. then at either of the 3 intersections in town, there is one right down the block from me. i live 3 blocks from the tracks so if i can' t catch a train by the baseball field i can always catch it down the block. then there is a nice bridge over the tracks that i like to try and get to if i can. then there is a intersection about 3 miles away outside another little town that i can go to.

once i get shots at one intersection i try and look quick at my pictures, if i didn't get a good shot of the loco i hop in my car and race off for another location to get some good pictures.

[Hawks05]

i live in a really small railroad town. only have 5-6 trains a day. usually only 3 during the day. there are really only 3-5 spots to catch trains at. one is by the baseball field. there is a little open space right next to the tracks. makes for good shots but trees can be a problem. then at either of the 3 intersections in town, there is one right down the block from me. i live 3 blocks from the tracks so if i can' t catch a train by the baseball field i can always catch it down the block. then there is a nice bridge over the tracks that i like to try and get to if i can. then there is a intersection about 3 miles away outside another little town that i can go to.

once i get shots at one intersection i try and look quick at my pictures, if i didn't get a good shot of the loco i hop in my car and race off for another location to get some good pictures.

[Anonymous]

My grandpa, dad and I were at Emporia KS today and saw 16 trains in 3 hours. Quite a parade of EB's spaced about 10 min apart. Also people talking about Kansas City, what is the easiest way to get to Santa Fe Junction(if there is one) and what are some other good spots for mainly BNSF traffic but it could be another RR. Thanks.

Cory

[Anonymous]

My grandpa, dad and I were at Emporia KS today and saw 16 trains in 3 hours. Quite a parade of EB's spaced about 10 min apart. Also people talking about Kansas City, what is the easiest way to get to Santa Fe Junction(if there is one) and what are some other good spots for mainly BNSF traffic but it could be another RR. Thanks.

Cory

[Junctionfan]

I like Newtonville Ontario. The CP Belleville Sub and CN Kingston Sub parallel each other and the CN part, trains go really fast. CN freights 60 max, intermodals 65 and VIA up to 100mph!

[Junctionfan]

I like Newtonville Ontario. The CP Belleville Sub and CN Kingston Sub parallel each other and the CN part, trains go really fast. CN freights 60 max, intermodals 65 and VIA up to 100mph!

[Anonymous]

My favorite spot is Ridgefeild Park, NJ. At that location the CSX River Line and the NYSW go through.

[Anonymous]

My favorite spot is Ridgefeild Park, NJ. At that location the CSX River Line and the NYSW go through.

[athelney]

Mine has to be at Page near Mission BC -- all westbound CP and CN trains together with all CP westbound going to PT Coquitlam yard as well as eastbound CP & CN empties heading east , add to that the switcher crossing the diamond to go to the interchange at Huntingdon / Sumas WA. -- Throw in a Rocky Mountaineer and a VIA each way - it's a great spot -- The only thing is not seeing eastbound CP from Coquitlam they don't cross the river but with a scanner you can head over the bridge if something interesting is coming.I have never seen another fan around either ! Where are they ?

[athelney]

Mine has to be at Page near Mission BC -- all westbound CP and CN trains together with all CP westbound going to PT Coquitlam yard as well as eastbound CP & CN empties heading east , add to that the switcher crossing the diamond to go to the interchange at Huntingdon / Sumas WA. -- Throw in a Rocky Mountaineer and a VIA each way - it's a great spot -- The only thing is not seeing eastbound CP from Coquitlam they don't cross the river but with a scanner you can head over the bridge if something interesting is coming.I have never seen another fan around either ! Where are they ?

[Anonymous]

Used to be out of the bedroom window at the NS coming down from Melrose, NC. Not since December 2001 though.

[Anonymous]

Used to be out of the bedroom window at the NS coming down from Melrose, NC. Not since December 2001 though.

[Anonymous]

Boone County in Iowa. Iowa State University has lots of UP running near the campus.

[Anonymous]

Boone County in Iowa. Iowa State University has lots of UP running near the campus.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if anyone is still watching this thread...

My favorite spot is Blue Cut in the Cajon area of Southern California. The BNSF main and former SP now UP lines run right through the canyon. You can see numerous UP, BNSF and the occasional Amtrak. This area is part of the National Forest so you can camp in many areas.

Joel