Where is your favorite place to railfan?

[Railfan1]

Yards, mainline? In your hometown, hundreds of miles away?

I am going to say mine is Folkston, Ga. (about 350 miles).

[Noah Hofrichter]

La Crosse, Wi. Right along the Mississippi River the CP and BNSF cross each other here. This is the crossing of the two railroads' mainlines from Chicago to St Paul, and there can be upwards of 60 trains in 24 hours here sometimes, and it can be great shooting. It's about a two hour one way trip for me to get there, but it's always worth it. I usually don't stick at the diamond much though, I prefer to go up or down the River where there is much better scenery and once can get much better photographs. Sure, I miss a few trains that way, but I consider it better than 30 photos of trains at the exact same place.....

Noah

[ndbprr]

The S curve about one mile east of the Hammond Indiana railroad station where the NYC and PRR mains split.  Westbound trains blow for a grade crossing so you know they are coming and you can see about 1 1/2 miles to the west at Colehour yard.  Within a 1/4 mile of Lake Michigan there is always a breeze.  Lighting is always exceelent for taking pictures and you can get a lot of train in around the curves.

[pajrr]

For yard action, my favorite place is Allentown, PA. You can see every part of the yard from public property and you can even talk to the hump crew from public property as they work the hump! For mainline action, anywhere around the Altoona, PA area along the old PRR. My favorite spot for sentimental reasons is anywhere in NJ along the old Erie watching NJ Transit commuter trains roll by. I grew up with the ERIE and Erie-Lackawanna..

[PBenham]

My favorite spot is in Buffalo NYSSR on the ex-NYC main at Old Broadway and N. Odgen sts, One can see action in the south west end of Frontier yard, some of the action in the north side, and lots of action on the mains if the trains can keep out of one another's way. There can be problems here, but thats the world in 2006. XSC , oops, CSX ! Just beware of the rouge employee that calls the BPD on railfans, even if they are on a city street. And do not argue with the BPD they are angry and looking for an excuse to with anyone they can with.

[oskar]

Railfan1- I 100% agree with you on that one. Folkston is the best, good thing I am 208 miles from there so its a pretty easy ride I also go atleast twice a year. Hopefully Ernesto doesn't ruin my plans for a Labour weekend trip. Dang am I going to be unhappy.

 

 

kevin

[Railfan1]

Railfan1- I 100% agree with you on that one. Folkston is the best, good thing I am 208 miles from there so its a pretty easy ride I also go atleast twice a year. Hopefully Ernesto doesn't ruin my plans for a Labour weekend trip. Dang am I going to be unhappy.

 

 

kevin

I gotcha beat, I am about 306 miles North of there.

[chad thomas]

Cajon Pass, Hill 582, The greatest railfan spot on earth, hands down !!!!

[Railfan1]

That place is on my wish list!

[rustyspike]

Downtown flagstaff, AZ, at the station.   Seems the whole of China comes by in containers continuously. 

[fyrefyter]

One of the best spots in Calif. The Tehachipi Loop.Now it has been off limits by the U.P. Thanks U.P.It was great camping and veiwing till it was designated a No Tresspassing area. I guess Cajon pass is left.      Mike

[WCL]

Right in my back yard.....Oh wait....I moved.....I dont live by RR tracks any more nor the CN....Now if I wanna see a train I have to go 8 miles to see a crappy short line thats going down hill....ugh

[kevikens]

Martinez, California. The former Espee P line, now a very, very busy UP and Amtrak Line with great views of the Bay and don't forget the equally busy BNSF line with the tunnels and Alhambra Trestle

[CSXrules4eva]

I'm going to have to say that my favorit place to railfan is up in the Mountains on the east coast, preferably up in Pennsylvania on the Sand Patch, or the Mountain Sub.

But for now I do most of my railfaning on the job at Osborn Yard in Louisville, KY.  

[THE.RR]

Either Cable Crossover on the Tehachapi grade, which is visible from the side yard of the House, or a block down the street.  Or the main line from Mojave to Tehachapi, which I drive along twice each work day.