The east bank of the Bush River (for Amtrak's Bush River Bridge) is no longer publicly accessible; there is a gate across the road leading tio the bridge. However, there is road leading to an open area just east of Perryman, MD where you can photograph Amtrak's trains.
There is a boat launching ramp at Willoughby Beach (east of on the west bank of the Bush River) where you might still be able to photograph trains crossing the Bush River Bridge. Be advised this site is on the boundary of a military facility. This shot is only good in the late afternoon/early evening and only between April and October. To reach that site take MD 24 to Willoughby Beach Road. Turn left on Willoughby Beach Road and follow it to the river.
Havre de Grace and Perryville are good locations for photographing Amtrak's trains crossing the Susquehanna River. Havre de Grace has several parks from which you can photograph trains; afternoons are better. You may still be able to photograph Amtrak trains crossing the Suquehanna River from the grounds of the VA Perryville Medical Center. I suggest staying between the gatehouse and the river, and if the gate house is staffed ask permission first. The shot from the grounds of the VA Medical Center is better for eastbound trains in the morning. There is a park near the entrance to the VA Medical Center from which you can photograph trains crossing the Susquehanna River in the late afternoon/early evening. This shot is good for eastbound or westbound Acela Expresses and MARC trains heading for Perryville.
To photograph CSX trains you can walk along what is the Susquehanna Greenway Historic Trail along the west bank of the Suquehanna River to get near the CSX bridge. This shot is better for westbound or southbound trains, and since it is sort of a broadside shot it is good for most of the day.
Aberdeen would be a good start, as both CSX and Amtrak/MARC are a stones throw from each other.
Get down to the Susquehanna River at Havre De Grace. Lots of good photo angles and public parks.
Cross the river and spend an Evening at Perryville Station.
You can try to get to the Bush River Bridge, there used to be a small lane that allowed access to the south end which I think used to be a boat ramp for that water.
It's was 30 years ago I was there last... I have NO idea if it is possible to get down in there now, it is a little bit close to the tracks. I can still feel the blasts of the high speed (For the time) trains even today.
Not only that, the road that connected to US 40 is a specific spot overgrown with woods, Im betting that you will NEVER find that itty bitty road you can only get to it from the northbound side, there is massive center dividers in place now on that road.
Another would be the Hammerman Park Access Road off Pulaski Highway near the old White Marsh Access Road but major catenary and poor view from that bridge.. not the best spot.
Aberdeen offers a chance to catch a train or two I think there are some legal areas where one can safely "Shoot" trains with a big lens without being too bothered near the Aberdeen Base Access road that I know of leading to the Ordinance Museum.
Now the CSX Line, you will have to go to Joppa along what I think is Philadelpha road just north and west of the US 40. There is a single track railline that parallels US 40 all the way downtown Baltimore. I have no idea if it is still in use today, it is quite possible CSX uses another line either on the NEC or elsewhere.
Are there any good spots in Harford County Maryland for railfanning on the CSX or Amtrack lines?
Thanks
Ryan
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