Detroit Trackside guide

[Anonymous]

Loved the Detroit Trackside guide. I will refer to it often. I live about a block from the Dearborn Sub in Allen Park. I believe there are more than 2-3 trains per day. Can anyone recommend a good train watching spot in Toledo?
Thanks

[Saxman]

Some good locoations in Toledo would be: The area around CSX Stanley and Walbridge Yard which are located on Walbridge Rd. near Broadway. This location would allow one to observe the CSX, NS and CN. Hallet Tower on the north side of Toledo would be another location. Hallet Tower would allow the opportunity to see the Ann Arbor Railroad, CSX and Canadian National. Both have locations that would allow observing trains without being on railroad property.

Action on the ex Conrail Main can best be observed by Wales Rd. This is slightly east of the crossing with the CSX at a location called Vickers

The Wheeling and Lake Erie runs a train into and out of Candian Nationals Lang Yard. Lang is next to I-75. Last I knew, Wheeling ran there train out in the afternoon.

If you deciede to railfan Toledo, get a city/county map that includes rail lines. This would be helpful. Remember like other large cities, Toledo has some rough neighborhoods that are not good to raifan in.

Do not forget to go to Tony Packos for his world famous hot dog. He is located on Front Street east of I-280. Tell'em Klinger sent ya. (LOL)

[bowlerp]

Being from Akron, I am not an epert in Toledo. However, have had good success at the Toledo Union Station. AMTRAK goes through several times per day, not all at night, and the freight mainline is just outside the station and quite busy. The station is a comfortable, safe, and friendly place to hang out between action. There is usually some private varnish in the station tracks, as it is one of the few places where AMTRAK will switch private cars onto their trains.

Additionally, a short walk west of the station lead is an old Model A era auto bridge that is abandoned but sound and spans the tracks. It makes a very good photography platform, free of vehicle traffic. I don't think I would hang there at dusk or beyond, but it is good for eastbounds in the AM, or westbounds in the late PM.

Hope this helps, but I'm sure there are other places. I recall from drives to Detroit that near the highway junction to I-75 is a large CSX yard that probably has some decent road approaches. It is very close to the Michigan border and often has lots of foreign power including CN.

[Anonymous]

The yard along I-75 is actually a CN yard, formerly a D&TSL yard, Lang Yard. Very little mechandise traffic, mostly coal for Michigan power plants served by CN, with coal delivered to Lang by CSX and NS.

West of Toledo is a popular train watching spot along the NS (former CR) "Chicago Line". West on Airport Hwy from US 23/I 475 about 3 miles to Holloway Rd., turn right, cross tracks and bear right, open lot between road and tracks across the street from a hardware store. Please stay as far back from the tracks as you can.

[Anonymous]

Hey Klinger,
Is there any spots to view Lang yard besides the shoulder of I 75/. Those Ohio cops would spot my Michigan plates real fast. My last name is Lang, so once I find a spot, if anyone hassles me I'll show em my id and tell em I own the place! I have had the Tony Packos dogs, they are the best. Do you have an autographed bun on display there?

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know of any good spots around Detroit I like the Tracks at Dearborn Ave off of I-75 North. This is where the Delray Tower is and it's one of the most used Junctions in the area.

[jondoe]

by the way there is a city street that parallels Lang Yard, and people at lang yard are usually nice, I once got to ride in a SD 40 when It was own by grand trunk and when I was young

[tree68]

I recently spent some time in and around Plymouth, although there are no really good spots to sit and watch. I sent an email to the Wayne County Parks suggesting they put a pavilion (a la Rochelle) on property they own right next to the diamond. It's not currently available for public access.

Also, if you like classic rock, what better station to listen to around Detroit than WCSX (for real!). Good music even if you don't like the blue and grey. It's 94.7 on the dial.

[Anonymous]

In Plymouth, there is a nice bar/resteraunt called Station 885 that is just east of the diamond. You can sit at a table just a few feet away from the action.

[Anonymous]

I think these trackside guides are a great addition to Trains. Please note, however, that the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is not referred to as "the thumb" as
stated on page of the Detroit Guide. The thumb refers to the projection of land into
Lake Huron north of Detroit, Flint, and Port Huron and east of the Saginaw-Bay City region. Sometimes Lower Michigan is referred to as "the mitten".
May I suggest those of you interested in railroad and interurban structures refer to the website of the Railroad Station Historical Society (www.rrshs.org) for remaining depots, towers, etc around the Detroit area. I will be updating locations of what's left soon.
Mark

[Anonymous]

Also the south lead, Vreeland rd, Flatrock yard is very busy,and you may catch a I&O.
It is located west of Fort and east of Telegraph.
South of the Rouge R., east off Jefferson. The GLS yard is on Bellanger, and you may catch a GLS 'hot train' going south to the Ecorse foundry.
The NS yard is at the foot of Grand Blvd, at Jefferson. There is a park there so watching is easy.
Lastly, both the guide and the auto plant map misinforms that the Jeep plant builds the Liberty. We only build all models of the Grand Cherokee, no Libertys.
Warning...If you watch at Delray Tower, DO NOT hang around after dark, unless others are there!
happy railroading!