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Train lines in town

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  • Member since
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  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
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Posted by trainfan1221 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:33 PM
 larak wrote:

We have one - the Hudson River west shore line has a long yard here on their main line.

There used to be three other railroads that originated/ended here:

the Ulster & Delaware, the Walkill Valley and part of the Ontario & Western. Ah the good old days. 

You get to guess which town this is. Shouldn't be too difficult. 

You, sir, live in Kingston NY.
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by Marty on Vancouver Island on Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:52 PM

I model St. Johnsbury, VT circa 1975 due to the variety of railroads found in town.

First and foremost, because it is the primary railroad that I model, this is the Maine Central's most westerly terminus (thus the layout name "Maine Central's WEST END"). As well, running north/south through town between Montreal, QC and East Deerfield, MA are CP Rail/Boston & Maine pool power mainline trains. CP Rail also operates locals between Newport, St. Johnsbury and Wells River, VT. Lastly, from the west, the St. Johnsbury and Lamoille County Railroad comes into town from Morrisville, VT to exchange traffic. I model that part of the Mountain Division between Whitefield, NH and St. Johnsbury, VT, including the paper mill in Gilman, VT and a newly added B&M branchline to the [1975] paper mill in Berlin. The rest of the traffic is operated from an 11 thru-track staging yard.

Cheers, Marty on Vancouver Island

Cheers, Marty Modelling the MEC and B&M on Vancouver Island
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Posted by loco4501 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 7:34 PM

Roanoke, Alabama where I live has a heavily traveled CSX main line which sees 20-25 trains per day most days of the week.

There is a long passing siding which runs through town also and up until just a year or so ago there was an old depot but it was destroyed by fire.

The old depot area is a great place for railfanning and several of us have been trying to get the city and CSX to let us build a railfan platform but no luck so far.

There is also plenty of run thru traffic powered by Union Pacific, BNSF, and occassionaly NS.

 

Loco4501

Joseph Navratil

 

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  • From: Lilburn, GA
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Posted by CSXDixieLine on Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:28 PM
 loco4501 wrote:

Roanoke, Alabama where I live has a heavily traveled CSX main line which sees 20-25 trains per day most days of the week.

There is a long passing siding which runs through town also and up until just a year or so ago there was an old depot but it was destroyed by fire.

The old depot area is a great place for railfanning and several of us have been trying to get the city and CSX to let us build a railfan platform but no luck so far.

There is also plenty of run thru traffic powered by Union Pacific, BNSF, and occassionaly NS.

Loco4501

Joseph Navratil

Ah, you live on the CSX Lineville Sub--I'll be in that area Labor Day weekend at Callaway Gardens, and of course I already have plans of sneaking in some railfanning (shhhhhhhh...don't tell my family Wink [;)]). Jamie

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  • From: Utah
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Posted by shayfan84325 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:35 PM

I live in a town of about 1,000 people.  No traffic lights and if you use all of your fingers and a few of your toes you can count all of the stop signs.  We do not have a gas station or convenience store.  We are on a branch of the Union Pacific.  The train comes through every day at about 11:00 AM.  We used to be on the main line of the Utah and Idaho Central.  It was an electric railway that ran freight and trolleys between Preston, Idaho and Ogden, Utah.  The U&IC RR main line ran right down main street (right across the stree from my house).  Our U&IC station still stands - fully restored; we use it for our city building.

check out our website: www.mendoncity.org

 

Phil,
I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.

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Posted by W&NB on Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:43 PM
We were lucky...At one time, Williamsport, PA had 6 lines!  We had the Reading, the Erie, the Penna., the NYC, the Susquehanna & New York, and the Williamsport & North Branch.  Of course, this was in 1936, but it's all on film and well documented! 
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Posted by NKP Jack S on Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:50 PM
I grew up in Lima, Ohio with the Nickel Plate, the B&O, The Erie, The Pennsy and the Detroit Toledo and Ironton plus the Lima Locomotive Works, the LOCO. I am beginning modeling the NKP from Lima to Bellevue and am trying to incorporate as much as possible at least interchanges.
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  • From: US
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Posted by BuffaloBob on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:17 PM
We have the north east corridor - Amtrack and Norfolk Southern about a quarter mile on one side and CSX main about half mile on other side. Lots of action!
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Posted by freightliner_95 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:33 PM
I live in Holbrook, AZ. The main line in the town is the BNSF. The Apache Railway has begins here, and serves a paper mill about 30-35 miles away from here.
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Posted by hiawatha101 on Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:17 PM
I'm in NW Arkansas. We have the HQ of the Arkansas & Missouri, formerly a BNSF line, originally Frisco. All-Alco!
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Posted by steam618lover1 on Friday, August 22, 2008 12:36 AM

 Hi Everyone

    I live in solon ohio, 20 miles out of cleveland, about 50 years ago, the erie lackawanna, use to run from akron-canton to cleveland, picking up passengers going to work, the train would pass the house around 5:45am and return at 6:00pm in the evening heading back to akron canton, in downtown solon the "NKP" crossed the erie lackawanna it ran north an south, to this day have no idea where it went, about five years ago NS reopened the nkp lines and the W-LE, runs from solon down to akron, basicly switching industries, we call it the garbage train. At one time they where talking about opening up the lines for comuitor service but the people didn't want any kind of trains running around here.

  Sure Love The Old Days Of Steam  Earl steam618lover1 Sigh [sigh]

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Posted by dfandrews on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:21 AM

Here in coastal Ventura County we have the UP (ex SP) coast line:

As a little kid, I watched 4200's (AC's), 4400's (GS's), then black widow F7's, then

SP's boring bloody nose paint jobs.

Now it's UP armour yellow:  The Leesdale every week day (LA to Oxnard and back), Oxnard switcher, VCY railway in Oxnard to the Port of Huemene,

lots of Amtrak and Metrolink commutes, Amtrak 11 and 14, and frieghts just when you are giving up and going home:  lots of GE and EMD AC power.   UP road freq. is 161.55 (FRA 96)-DIsp.73.

Metrolink dispatcher covers Moorpark to LA- freq. 160.55 (FRA 29)

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  • From: Greencastle, PA
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Posted by OzarkBelt on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:30 AM

Out where I live, the PRR/RDG used to go through. In fact, one railroad's main line went right down the middle of the main street! noe, the trail road is mostly around the outskirts but it still is active (NS). not more then five mins from the town is a CSX main.

here's some pics:

 

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot Visit my blog! http://becomingawarriorpoet.blogspot.com

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Posted by mopac57 on Friday, August 22, 2008 10:36 AM

Here in Salt Lake City, we mostly have Union Pacific--with BNSF having trackage rights; but we also have the Utah Transit Authority (commuter rail/light rail), a new shortline called the Savage, Bingham & Garfield, another shortline called the Salt Lake, Garfield & Western, and the Utah Railway, which has evolved into a kind of regional railroad. Back in the day, of course, SLC was home to the Rio Grande and the Western Pacific.

My hometown (Henderson, Texas, population 11,000) was at the end of a 16-mile Missouri Pacific branchline. I used to get cab rides from the local crew all the time (mostly in GP38-2s, GP15s, and B23-7s). No doubt that's why I model the MoPac in East Texas, rather than the UP/BNSF in Salt Lake City.  

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  • From: Oxford, Mich. USA
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Posted by dmitzel on Friday, August 22, 2008 2:53 PM

 NS2591 wrote:
The CN Flint sub gets about 30 trains or so a day, And the CSX Saginaw Sub gets about 4 a day Those of you that aren't all boned up on Michigan history(Probably most of you no offense) The CN Flint sub runs East and West, Thats for former GTW Line through Flint(Not the old main, the new Main) Used to be really busy back in oh say, probably early 70's. Trains Ga-freaking-lore, we used to have a ton of business here too until GM started to pull out, Same goes for the CSX. They used to get a lot of traffic on the North South Saginaw sub, Buick City(If any one here owns a buick older than I think like '96 Chances are it is was built there) But with the closure of that plant and so many others here, CSX has dwindled to about 4 or so a day, and the CN line, While being the main East West for CN between Toronto & Chicago, only gets maybe 30 on a good day, they are usually Infrequent but long, they tend to be 120 or more and the move, Trackspeed is 60(I think) from Port Huron to Durand, at Durand it drops to 45 becuase of the diamonds and then returns to 60 west of town(Again I believe thats what it is)

Jay,

Where in the Flint area are you from? I live in Oxford and do most of my 'fanning at MP 290 (Lapeer) when I can get out. Heading down to either Deshler or Fostoria the Wednesday after Labor Day, though, for a one-day trip.

I model in HO, circa 1990s.

D.M. Mitzel Div. 8-NCR-NMRA Oxford, Mich. USA
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Posted by espee8110 on Friday, August 22, 2008 3:53 PM
In my town in south east Texas we have a large assembly yard that was under the Southern Pacific with a line that Union Pacific had running through it.  Then on the north side of town Santa Fe owned an assembly yard that ran across the SP yard in a diamond cross, and ran down to the coast.  Then on the south side Kansas City Southern had a small yard and supplied the refineries.  They also owned the only bridge over the river in my area for about 100 miles or so.  Amtrak's Sunset Limited makes a stop there now, usually everyother day depending on if ti si on schedule or not.  Trains were always coming and going at all hours.  I spent many a joyful night laying awake and listening to them.  Now we get traffic from BNSF, UP, NS, KCS, CSX, the occaisional northern rail lines, and even Canadian Pacific.  So we have six lines that still continually operate trains going through my town.

Chessie HO and SP N in College
http://collegerailroad.blogspot.com/ 

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  • From: Greencastle, PA
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Posted by OzarkBelt on Friday, August 22, 2008 3:58 PM

Sign - Welcome [#welcome]to the Forums espee8110!

You have any pictures? sounds like you live in a busy rail area!

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot Visit my blog! http://becomingawarriorpoet.blogspot.com

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  • From: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted by nscale1969 on Friday, August 22, 2008 6:47 PM
Here in Phoenix we have quite a few lines as you can imagine. Dominated primarily by BNSF but I will see UP trains as well. Have not had alot of time to railfan since we got back here from CO where the town (Longmont) we were in had one main that saw fairly heavy BNSF traffic.
Modeling the "Way of the Zephyrs". N Scale Laurel Subdivision 1955 and beyond....
ram
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Posted by ram on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:09 PM
It was the ATSF line between Ottawa Kansa to tulsa Oklahoma.  What is left is now South Kansas Oklahoma.  I have seen two train this year.
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  • From: Quad Cities Iowa
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Posted by trainman6446 on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:20 PM

Iow Inerstate RR on the ex Rock Island RR tracks going through Walcott Ia.

Single track now. other track is a siding now.

 

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Posted by super cheif n on Friday, August 22, 2008 8:50 PM
right now i'm in the dallas area on vacation and let me say there is a lot of track around here.Blindfold [X-)]
- Jackson
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Posted by caldreamer on Friday, August 22, 2008 9:21 PM
Here in Gettysburg, the CSX runs east/west through town, just noth of Route 30 (Linclon Highway).  They run up to 5 engine (usually SD50's), depending on the weight of the train.  They work the yard just east of Washgton Street.  Everytime a train comes through, whether it works the yard or not, it ties up all norht.south streets.  A long train working the yard will tie up traffic for 4 or 5 blocks for quite a while as they shuttle cars in the yard and remake the train.
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  • From: Ft. Wayne Indiana Home of the Lake Division
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Posted by Ibflattop on Friday, August 22, 2008 9:26 PM

I live in Ft Wayne Indiana. It doesnt matter which way you travel out of Town you will hit a RR track At one time we had the NKP,Wabash, PRR, NYC, the Union Belt, and all of there subs. Like the GR&I, FFtW&W. I can rmrmber going with Grandma to pick Grandpa up at work and watching the Wabash flying by the parking lot back in 64'.  Hummm the good old days.  

 Now its all NS with a sprinkling of C FtW and E with a little of CSX .       KB

Home of the NS Lake Division.....(but NKP and Wabash rule!!!!!!!! ) :-) NMRA # 103172 Ham callsign KC9QZW
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Posted by ntraction on Friday, August 22, 2008 9:41 PM

Phoenix ,AZ

BNSF with a fairly good size container operation.

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  • From: Holland, MI
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Posted by gentletaz on Saturday, August 23, 2008 2:20 AM

Holland, MI has a line (CSX) running pretty much through the middle of town coming from the Chicago area to the south and going to the NE to Grand Rapids. Another line goes north to Muskegon and beyond which has heavy welded rail until just north of West Olive where the coal trains ( West Olive Turn) go off to the power plant at PortSheldon. North of that spur, it's still jointed rail up through Grand Haven and Muskegon. There is also a relatively short line going pretty much parallel to M-40 to Hamilton where it now dead ends. This line used to go all the way to Allegan. The last service on this line was to Hamilton Farm Bureau and I'm uncertain as to whether they still use the railroad.

We also have several spurs in town which served various industries at one time and still do some. One used to serve the Chris Craft Boats plant and a chemical plant across from the boat plant, another still serves the Heinz Pickle Factory, and a short one off that spur serves Padnos Iron and Metal, which also has it's own switcher, not sure , but I think it's an old GE.

The power plant at Port Sheldon hads it's own switchers, 2 GEs and one cow and calf set (I think, could be a slug).

It's hard to get pictures of any of those switchers as the facilities are fenced in and they are very security concious.  

 We also have the Padnos Transportation Center downtown which utilizes the old depot which I believe was originally built by the Pere Marquette railroad which serves MAX(our local bus line), Indian Trails Bus Line, local taxi service, and Amtrak's Pere Marquette which runs between Grand Rapids and Chicago.

Needless to say, 100 car unit coal trains are not very popular with local drivers, especially where a tight curve necessitates slow operation across one of the busier streets LOL .

There is also a small yard right at the confluence of those lines and spurs, called Waverly Yard, just north of town. 

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Posted by pastorbob on Saturday, August 23, 2008 8:27 AM

Town I live in is Kansas City KS, which has the BNSF transcon and the UP main.  both have major yards, BNSF has the Argentine diesel shops.

Kansas City MO of course has the same plus ICE, KCS, NS, and some little short line/switching lines.  Think I am leaving one out, but we do have a lot of activity.  Oh, forgot Amtrak also, coming in on UP lines, and also on the BNSF.

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
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Posted by cbqer on Saturday, August 23, 2008 12:41 PM

Here I am in Sioux City, IA with a population of about 90,000. We have 3 main lines through here. The BNSF is the main one, UP second and the CN(IC-ICG-GT, etc). There are better than 20 trains a day in and out hauling coal, ethanol, and of course, grain.

 

Dick

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Posted by westshorefan on Saturday, August 23, 2008 1:24 PM

Located on the former West Shore Line of the New York Central RR. Conrail, for a while, now CSX freight only. Single track (down from 3). At least 30 trains a day.

 

westshorefan (nearing the end of the line!)

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Posted by EM-1 on Saturday, August 23, 2008 8:32 PM

When I was growing up from the late 40s and into the 70s, Lorain Oh had the Nickle Plate running East-West and the B & O running North - South, with an interchange right in downtown.  I grew up watching passenger trains pulled by E units, and freights pulled by 2-8-4s at least till about 1958 or 1960,then being replaced mostly by Alco RS-11s. Although it seems the 0-6-0 was the predominant switcher for model railroading,  the Lorain B & O yards were serviced by L 1 or 2 0-8-0s shunting carloads of Taconite for the local steel plant or for EM-1 Yellowstones to take South, after those big guys dropped strings of coal hoppers for loading onto ore boats by way of the lifting rotary dumper.  In fact, until about 1961 or so, the B&O even had a car shop with a Bucyrus-Erie 200 t crane and supporting cars.  South of town there was a roundhouse with at least 10 or 12 stalls and an elevated covered coaling dock.  And the Steel Plant, which is still in business, has it's own Lake Terminal railroad with a number of EMD switchers and a couple oddball units interchanging mostly with what is now the Norfolk Southern.  The former B & O yards are now a small Chessie stub that doesn't even make it to the former NKP, Now NS mainline.    The former double tracked NKP used to cross the river on a gantleted swing bridge, but it is now single track with a center lift bridge.

 It's also a shame that beautification efforts now have created a ridge that blocks the dumping of the slag ladles along one edge of the steel plant property.  That used to be something to see.  But, seems there are a lot of influential people are ashamed of the area's blue collar heritage.

 And I still remember the day I went to the B&O yards to take pictures of the EM-1 2-8-8-4s, only to see some strange looking somethings.  An A-B-A lashup, Baldwin RF-16s.  Over the next couple years, the tac and coal loads were handled by Q class 2-8-2s, S-1 2-10-2s, I think a couple 4-8-2s, and switching eventually was handled by a couple SD-9s and GP-7s.  Even one evening I was surprised to see a U class 0-10-0.

And in the mid 70s, one of the city parks got in the first 0-6-0s I had ever seen for display, and the nearby Avon Lake power plant replaced their fireless steam 0-6-0 with a diesel.  The fireless is appparently now on display in Bellview, Oh.Sorry for rampling.  Senior Moment.  (or half hour)

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Posted by SPFMTM on Monday, August 25, 2008 9:31 AM

 ARVADA Co. I've got the BNSF Golden sub (ex Colorado and Southern) to my immediate south (less than 1/2 a block) and the UP (ex Rio Grande) to my north maybe 1/4 to 1/2 a mile. both are busy. Golden sub serve Coors and I've seen Geeps on up to SD70aces. occasionaly they still use a caboose.

 

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