Photography in Sacramento

[Anonymous]

I will be in CA's capital soon and will have at least a short time to railfan there. Where would you all suggest I go to maximize the amount of trains seen (Amtrak, BNSF, UP, whatever)? What kind of traffic can I expect on weekday afternoons?

[blhanel]

As appropriate as it would seem to be to start this thread here, you might want to start another one on the Railroads forum. I suspect alot of the members don't browse this side that often. Sorry, I can't help you with your questions, but I know at least a couple of members will provide feedback if they see them (especially Chad Thomas- he knows the whole state quite well).

Oh, and [#welcome] to the forums!

[broncoman]

The tracks that run near the CA state railroad museum (just to the north) are pretty busy. On a weekday there are about 14 Amtrak commuter trains (Capitol Corridor), about 8 UP stack trains total, and about 6 others manifest local. The really cool one lately is at about 2 pm or so there is a eastbound BNSF stack train that alternates having either DPUs (2 on the rear), or 5 units up front (most of the UP stacks run 2 or 3). There are other spots with some traiffic but the track towards the bay area are pretty busy. You didn't say what part of Sac, or if you had a car, but its pretty easy to get to the CSRM by mass transit so that probably the best place to go.

Dave

[ericsp]

Be sure to check out the yard at Roseville. You can get a pretty good view of the engine terminal from Atkinson Street (or is it Church Street?), north of Foothill Boulevard.

Here is an overhead photograph of it.

[chad thomas]

Didn't see this till now. Above spots are good. Roseville is excellent but a few miles east of Sac. In Sac the best place is the former Elvas tower. Virtually all traffic from Roseville to/from San Joaquin Valley and points south or Bay Area and points south pass this spot. Last I was there it was still completely accessable but it's been a few years and that may have changed.

[chad thomas]

Here is the Elvas tower junction
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Sacramento,Ca.&ll=38.583667,-121.449351&spn=0.013385,0.041327&om=1

And here is another good spot. This is where the former WP crosses the SP.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Sacramento,Ca.&ll=38.585143,-121.474886&spn=0.013385,0.041327&om=1

[spbed]

I was there in January. Click on the below link then the Central California gallery to see my pix. I was at the point where the former SPRR goes under the former WPRR tracks. I found it by using Mapquest [:o)]

http://vgalleries.com/members/railfan1/The+Trainfan.vrg

Originally posted by matt_mealer
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Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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