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New to Louisville KY railfanning

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New to Louisville KY railfanning
Posted by ChrisB1962 on Sunday, June 15, 2014 9:19 PM
I moved to Louisville (Jeffersontown area) about 9 months ago. I've been keeping my eyes and ears out for trains but haven't found the good local spots yet. Does anyone have suggestions? Google coordinates appreciated. Thanks!
  • Member since
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  • From: Dallas, TX
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Posted by CMStPnP on Monday, June 16, 2014 4:28 PM

sojyrner
I moved to Louisville (Jeffersontown area) about 9 months ago. I've been keeping my eyes and ears out for trains but haven't found the good local spots yet. Does anyone have suggestions? Google coordinates appreciated. Thanks!

Believe it or not if you can get a guest pass there is some good railfanning on Ft. Knox, KY or used to be.   They had two red U.S. Army locomotives and lots of track on that post.     Very little of the post is a sensitive area now although there is still Active Army unit there, the post is mostly administrative functions.    You would need to call the Public Affairs Office and get a pass and let them know what you were going to do.  When the Army is actively switching on post though........there is a lot to watch.   Even when they are not it is pretty cool to follow the tracks and see where they all go.     Lots of track on that post in comparison to other Army posts, IMO.    I was last there in 1995 and things could be completely dead now but I think they still need coal loads for their central heating plant.      Not sure but just get a guest pass and drive around post and find out.     Only area to steer clear of is the Gold Depository and any active ranges that might be running for the unit or two of Active Duty troops that might still be there.

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Posted by Armyconrad on Sunday, June 18, 2017 6:28 PM

In Jeffersontown, you have east tucker siding and bluegrass (formerly west tucker) siding. While they are right next to each other, there are two sidings each with a seperate name. East Tucker mainly parallels Blakenbaker Parkway and Rehl Road, and goes over at a level crossing at Tucker Station Road. But I heard there is someone who lived and may still live at a house close to the crossing who doesn't like railfans, and Bluegrass siding mainly parallels Blakenbaker Access Drive, which turns into Ruckriegel Parkway, and then turns into Watterson Trail which goes over the track on an overpass. The overpass has a pedestrian walkway on the side, but it has a big fence so not sure how good the pictures may be there. Behind Saint Michaels Church off of Taylorsville Road you have an old level crossing going, where if you headed west just a little bit you would be at East Tucker then Bluegrass siding. These are all NS track. Slightly heading out of Jeffersontown, the tracks more westward parallel Six Mile Lane from Stony Brook Drive to a little past Westwood Farms Drive. Completley heading ut of Jeffersontown, on LaGrange road betwee Factory Lane and Springs Station Road you have a very busy (at least during daytime) gated wye that enters the train yard at the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant. This is CSX track. If you head out to Oldham County and go to LaGrange, there is CSX track that street runs on Main Street, and this is the same track that connects to the wye that leads to the train yard at the Ford Plant. There are some facebook groups (particularly one called "Louisville Railfanning") that can give you more info. Hopes this Helps!

  • Member since
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Posted by Armyconrad on Sunday, June 18, 2017 6:32 PM

ChrisB1962
I moved to Louisville (Jeffersontown area) about 9 months ago. I've been keeping my eyes and ears out for trains but haven't found the good local spots yet. Does anyone have suggestions? Google coordinates appreciated. Thanks!
 

The NS tracks I mentioned above especially at the sidings can be extremley busy at times. Like more than 1 train per hour busy which is pretty good for the Louisville Area. If you head out westward towards Fairdale, there is a massive CSX yard on the western side of Louisville International Airport. Idk good places to railfan around here, because I am also a Jeffersontown resident who happens to live pretty close to the two sidings I mentioned above. Once again, hopes this helps!

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Posted by Armyconrad on Sunday, June 18, 2017 6:37 PM

ChrisB1962
I moved to Louisville (Jeffersontown area) about 9 months ago. I've been keeping my eyes and ears out for trains but haven't found the good local spots yet. Does anyone have suggestions? Google coordinates appreciated. Thanks!
 

Wow nearly forgot! There is a railroad museum in LaGrange too. And in Bardstown you have the RJ Corman dinner train, which I believe is still pulled by a F or E series unit havent read about it in a while nor taken the time to find out the exact model. Sorry for not combining these comments still kindof new to this website.

  • Member since
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  • From: Dallas, TX
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Posted by CMStPnP on Sunday, June 25, 2017 10:29 PM

Armyconrad?    I have this sixth sense from being a former 11 series.   You a former Rakkassan?    Sorry just curious.

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