Any Good Train Watching Spots in Texas?

[bakupolo]

AUstin, where I live is a bit boring with only one track. I'd be willing do drive a 500 mile radius for a train-watching weekend (that's basically in the state) if there was a place where many trains went by. Preferably near a hotel.

[spbed]

Guess you missed this from last week

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=60824

I just came bback from Saginaw, Temple, Austin & Flatonia

[:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bakupolo

AUstin, where I live is a bit boring with only one track. I'd be willing do drive a 500 mile radius for a train-watching weekend (that's basically in the state) if there was a place where many trains went by. Preferably near a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Where to start
Tower 55 in dowtown Ft. Worth under the I-35W/I-30 jct. I saw 60 trains in 11 hours.
The Amtrak station in Longview is right next to the UP and BNSF yards. I usually see 27 in a day.
Saginaw north of Ft. Worth.
Centennial yard just west of Tower 55 near I 30.

[bakupolo]

I made it to Tower 55 last weekend. Oh my goodness, I never knew there were so many trains anywhere. I parked behind a building supply company on Vickery St. and just walked over to the tower. It's located below a mixmaster of two major freeways and every direction I looked there were trains waiting to cross the intersection. I suppose tower 55 controls all the tracks there.
I also saw a cute little 3 unit passenger train painted kinda like a Texas flag. It had a diesel locomotive up front - I think, but I didn't recognize it. Fast looking: not a Genesis, more like a TGV without electrics.
There was a gang of maybe 25 rail workers at the double intersection, and several of the men gave me dirty looks so I stayed back a ways from the tracks and them.
I also learned that the Amtrak station in Ft. Worth is a short walking distance from Tower 55 and has quite a bit of traffic by itself. Also an Amtrak round trip from Austin to Ft. Worth is 46 bucks so I can ride up there (cheaper than driving a car), stay in one of the many hotels near the station (right by the Convention Center) and walk around to unlimited train watching, then ride the train home.It stops at Temple on the way.
And I plan to get to Longview ASAP, but that's a longer drive.
Thanks, guys.

[spbed]

You will have to walk about 1 mile from the Amtrak station in Temple to the diamond between the UPRR & BNSF in Temple TX. [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bakupolo

I made it to Tower 55 last weekend. Oh my goodness, I never knew there were so many trains anywhere. I parked behind a building supply company on Vickery St. and just walked over to the tower. It's located below a mixmaster of two major freeways and every direction I looked there were trains waiting to cross the intersection. I suppose tower 55 controls all the tracks there.
I also saw a cute little 3 unit passenger train painted kinda like a Texas flag. It had a diesel locomotive up front - I think, but I didn't recognize it. Fast looking: not a Genesis, more like a TGV without electrics.
There was a gang of maybe 25 rail workers at the double intersection, and several of the men gave me dirty looks so I stayed back a ways from the tracks and them.
I also learned that the Amtrak station in Ft. Worth is a short walking distance from Tower 55 and has quite a bit of traffic by itself. Also an Amtrak round trip from Austin to Ft. Worth is 46 bucks so I can ride up there (cheaper than driving a car), stay in one of the many hotels near the station (right by the Convention Center) and walk around to unlimited train watching, then ride the train home.It stops at Temple on the way.
And I plan to get to Longview ASAP, but that's a longer drive.
Thanks, guys.

[Anonymous]

I made it to Tower 55 last weekend. Oh my goodness, I never knew there were so many trains anywhere. I parked behind a building supply company on Vickery St. and just walked over to the tower. It's located below a mixmaster of two major freeways and every direction I looked there were trains waiting to cross the intersection. I suppose tower 55 controls all the tracks there.
I also saw a cute little 3 unit passenger train painted kinda like a Texas flag. It had a diesel locomotive up front - I think, but I didn't recognize it. Fast looking: not a Genesis, more like a TGV without electrics.
There was a gang of maybe 25 rail workers at the double intersection, and several of the men gave me dirty looks so I stayed back a ways from the tracks and them.
I also learned that the Amtrak station in Ft. Worth is a short walking distance from Tower 55 and has quite a bit of traffic by itself. Also an Amtrak round trip from Austin to Ft. Worth is 46 bucks so I can ride up there (cheaper than driving a car), stay in one of the many hotels near the station (right by the Convention Center) and walk around to unlimited train watching, then ride the train home.It stops at Temple on the way.
And I plan to get to Longview ASAP, but that's a longer drive.
Thanks, guys.

 

The Texas flags are on Bombardier Bilevels that belong to Trinity Railway Express.  They're commuter trains that run between Dallas and Ft Worth. 

[spbed]

I to lived in Austin & so far in my search for Texas hot spots that compare to S. California the only one that came close is Saginaw near FW. I have so far not reach west of there so I have no idea what West Texas has to offer. When I need a fix I hop a plane & go to S. California which has it all interlockings, speed, volume, mountains that you can get to see up close & personal.

In case you never saw this video my bro & I made east Of Daggett CA

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4073792253150127534

 

 

 

AUstin, where I live is a bit boring with only one track. I'd be willing do drive a 500 mile radius for a train-watching weekend (that's basically in the state) if there was a place where many trains went by. Preferably near a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Having grown up in Fort Worth I can vouch for the action at Tower 55 in downtown Fort Worth. The BNSF yards in Saginaw, just north of Ft. Worth, as well as the UP (ex-Mopac) Centenial yard on the west side of Ft. Worth have a lot of activity, as well.  If you are into seeing long freight drags getting down on their knees and working a grade, any place along US 287 North between Wichita Falls and Amarillo is great. Train after train, mainly unit-coal trains (sometimes with helpers on the rear spaced maybe 15 minutes apart.  The closer to Amarillo the more action it seems.

[wcaudle]

I live in West Texas and railfan most of the US.  Amarillo is a HOT SPOT, to say the least.  5 separate lines from BNSF and trackage rights for UP make this a rock and roller.  You can sit at SE 3rd and Grand and see it all.  Double track main from Los Angeles to Chicago with high speed and high priority UPS and double stacks, Coal from the Powder River Basin, merchandise freights from the Northwest.  I counted around 100 to 115 trains per day there.  You are about 1/4 mile from the Old Route 66, so there are a lot of motels and restaurants.  The BNSF people are great.  They will let you know if there is a maintenance window or log-jam up the line.

[Anonymous]

I parked behind a building supply company on Vickery St. and just walked over to the tower.

Tell me you didnt walk across the tracks. Please. If you did, you were on camera the whole time you were crossing, and while you were at Tower 55. The UP Special Agents in the area are fairly friendly, but they dont like anyone not UP on, or near the trackage, or at the Tower.

We usually park just south of the tower on the east side of the tracks in the AM, behind some businesses(I hope this is what you're reffering to). In the PM, we move pretty much right across the tracks were an SP yard used to be. Its kinda considered railroad property, but the SAs let us hang out there. because its a good bit off of the rails in use. Sure parking down there costs us UP Dallas Sub fun(east-west line at the diamonds), but the volume of north-south UP, BNSF, FWWR (Fort Worth Western, shortline) and even Amtrak goodness makes up for it.

Tower 55 doesnt control anything there anymore. Its houses UP MoW and UP SAs.

Try Dallas next time. It doesnt have the volume that Ft Worth has, but it still gets some good trains. Dallas North Jct get 50 if you include UP, BNSF, DGNO (Dallas, Garland Northeastern, shortline), Amtrak, and TRE. Lots of yards in Dallas too. UP Miller, CJ, Browder, Mesquite IMF(10 minutes east of downtown), Dallas IMF(20 minutes south of downtown), and DGNO Mockingbird, Cadiz, Mercer (20 minutes north of downtown), BNSF Irving(15 minutes northwest of downtown), KCS Dallas Yard (20 minutes northeast of downtown).

Pay to park at either the Dallas Union Station(secured) and shoot from there, or the Frank Crowley Courts parking lot(even more secure) for an elevated shot with downtown Dallas as your backdrop, or just chill at Reunion Arena. I suggest traveling around Big D, because the area can go quiet, for no reason, and then all of the sudden traffic will spike.

I'll echo what others have said, and suggest the Saginaw Interlocker in Saginaw. The Saginaw Chamber of Commerce is a great spot for train shots. KCS metro Jct gets a fair amount of trains, but thats 45 minutes north of D/FW. Lots of BNSF, KCS, and a few UPs mixed in.

[spbed]

Well this sounds terrific. I expect to be there around March 27 or 28. Can we connect?

 

 

I live in West Texas and railfan most of the US.  Amarillo is a HOT SPOT, to say the least.  5 separate lines from BNSF and trackage rights for UP make this a rock and roller.  You can sit at SE 3rd and Grand and see it all.  Double track main from Los Angeles to Chicago with high speed and high priority UPS and double stacks, Coal from the Powder River Basin, merchandise freights from the Northwest.  I counted around 100 to 115 trains per day there.  You are about 1/4 mile from the Old Route 66, so there are a lot of motels and restaurants.  The BNSF people are great.  They will let you know if there is a maintenance window or log-jam up the line.

[spbed]

Do U have any recommended places that you can sdvise me of between Clovis & Amarillo?

 

 

I live in West Texas and railfan most of the US.  Amarillo is a HOT SPOT, to say the least.  5 separate lines from BNSF and trackage rights for UP make this a rock and roller.  You can sit at SE 3rd and Grand and see it all.  Double track main from Los Angeles to Chicago with high speed and high priority UPS and double stacks, Coal from the Powder River Basin, merchandise freights from the Northwest.  I counted around 100 to 115 trains per day there.  You are about 1/4 mile from the Old Route 66, so there are a lot of motels and restaurants.  The BNSF people are great.  They will let you know if there is a maintenance window or log-jam up the line.

[Anonymous]

Hereford, Bovina, Friona are good spots. Just look for any grade crossing, and you should be in good shape. While out there, you might visit Lubbock and Slaton.

BE WARNED: if you did not grow up on a ranch, and even if you did, it stinks something fierce out there. There are massive cattle ranches out there, the biggest in the state, and where there are cows, there will cow poop.....lots of it. A visit to the local Army/Navy store for a gas mask might be in your best interest!

[cnwfan2]

AUstin, where I live is a bit boring with only one track. I'd be willing do drive a 500 mile radius for a train-watching weekend (that's basically in the state) if there was a place where many trains went by. Preferably near a hotel.

I agree.I was there last week and I was very much disappointed in what was there.One track, and a handful of hobby shops,that did not have much.Very saddened by the variety that was for sale.And ...........NO train shows or model railroad clubs. For a state that has ALOT of history in railroads,finding books on them was a big let down.

[spbed]

There is a up coming train show in New Braunfels on 04/14 about 40 miles SW of Austin. There is also a RR day on 04/14 at the crossing of the 2 UPRR lines @ Flatonia. Next time U will be hitting Austin drop me a line & maybe we can connect.

 

 

AUstin, where I live is a bit boring with only one track. I'd be willing do drive a 500 mile radius for a train-watching weekend (that's basically in the state) if there was a place where many trains went by. Preferably near a hotel.

I agree.I was there last week and I was very much disappointed in what was there.One track, and a handful of hobby shops,that did not have much.Very saddened by the variety that was for sale.And ...........NO train shows or model railroad clubs. For a state that has ALOT of history in railroads,finding books on them was a big let down.

[BlakeTyner]

Another vote for Longview.  The Amtrak station is a great train-watching spot, and is one of the few (the only?) smaller station to be staffed 7 days a week.  Lots of mainline and yard activity there, and access to a bathroom and, I think, vending machines.  Homer's Model RR shop is under the RR overpass closeby.  L'view has nice patio furniture out on the platform, and one of the best station agents (Griff Hubbard) in the country.

The next town over, Marshall, has a spectacular restored T&P station that houses the T&P Museum and, downstairs, the Amtrak station.  George, the Marshall agent, only works M-F 2-10 (unless the train is late) but is very friendly.  The upper balcony of the station is open and makes a great place to watch trains.

Marshall is also home to a small yard, and the Reisor sub (to Shreveport) intersects with the Little Rock sub here.  There's a wye joining the two subdivisions right next to the station.  The yard area is set back a bit, but easily observable:

Marshall is also a crew change point for the Texas Eagle (Longview is a crew change point for UP) so there's opportunity to chitchat with Amtrak conductors and engineers, if you're so inclined.  Marshall is about 20 minutes from Longview.

Another option is my hometown, Jefferson.  Though it's a tiny town (2500 or so) I doubt you're going to get much more diversity.  UP's Little Rock sub crosses KCS's Greenville sub at a diamond here.  The diamond is located right next to a city street for ease of train-watching.  Just beyond the interlocker, UP has a long passing siding and small interchange yard, mainly used for the odd carload to the KCS.  The KCS line connects to (some would say it's a part of) the Meridian Speedway.  BNSF has trackage rights on the KCS line, so we generally see BNSF unit coal trains a few times a day.  

The UP track is mainly directional running (northbound) but local trains and Amtrak run against traffic.  The Texas Eagle passes through SB in the morning (roughly 8-9 o'clock) and NB in the evening (roughly 7:45-9:00).  

And of course, there's our little steam train, which is a few blocks from the KCS.

If you're in the mood, you can go from Longview towards Henderson, and see an electric line with catenary.  I'm not sure, but I think it's a power plant.  Further south, at Rusk, is the Texas State Railroad, with big steam.  The Rusk train and the Palestine train meet, so if you take a ride you get to see steam passing steam.

Another half hour from Longview is Shreveport, and the big KCS yard there.

East Texas really provides more train-watching than you can accomplish in a weekend.