Train Schedules

[Sawtooth500]

So if I want to see a train on a certain branch line or find out where one is going - is there a publication out there or some way that I can find out? While I love to sit trackside for hours waiting to see what shows up... I do have a job so my time is limited!

[tree68]

There aren't many schedules on the freight side of railroading any more.

That said - certain jobs often start out at about the same time each day.  What time it reaches a given location is subject to a number of variables, mostly how much work they have to do before they get there.

Some branch lines and shortlines might only serve a given track once a week.  That's a long wait.

As for where it's going - jump onto one of the mapping programs and follow the track.  You should be able to pick out where a job may have started from, and where it might go. 

Also - listen to your scanner.  Low traffic lines often work under specific authority (track warrants, EC-1s, Form Ds, etc) and you may be able to determine what that train's authority is, and thus where it's coming from and where it's going.

Further detective work - check local hobby shops.  Somebody may have an idea of the specifics, or who you can talk to. 

My daughter recently moved into a new house with a CSX branch line nearby.  I already knew where the local would likely originate, and a little tracing and some conversations filled me in.

[Sawtooth500]

Almost a silly question, but could you just call the railroad and ask for the schedule? If you do that, who would even be the appropriate person to call?

[zugmann]

Sawtooth500

Almost a silly question, but could you just call the railroad and ask for the schedule? If you do that, who would even be the appropriate person to call?

 

 

Their answer would be "no".  In the name of security, big railroads will not give any information like that out.  

 

If it's a branchline, they usually work around the same time.. so if you happen to see a train during a certain time of day, chances are you will see it again near that time.  Granted, some trains may run a M-W-F, or T-Th, or M-W-Sa, or whatever schedule.  See if you can find a yahoo group for RRs in that area as they would know.

[mudchicken]

1.) If you are persistent enough in pestering the railroad, you get to talk to the nice people at Homeland Security!

2.) With #1 in mind, how come the nimrods in the insurance racket keep insisting there are fixed schedules for ALL trains on ALL railroads? The concept of an "Extra" or a "Work Extra" absolutely befuddles them.

[oltmannd]

As a rule of thumb, local and yard crews often go to work at the same time each day, but depending on the work load for that day, they may be at different places at different times. Some local crews have to build their own train before they depart, so if they have 20 cars to sort out it may take longer than if they have 10 on another day. This will vary the time they get out of yard to start working along the line.

Similarly, the local may have locations A, B, C, and D on it's route, but if there is no work to do at D one particular day, they'll just turn around at C and go back.

Road trains are a bit different. You may see a road train depart an origin location at the same time everyday +/-20 or 30 minutes, but as it moves along the RR, the "random acts of railroading" occur and the train will be doing well if it can get to destination most days +/- several hour of th same time.

[henry6]

This is one of the values of being a member of a railfan orginization like the NRHS, the R&LHS, even the model railroad groups; you often get to meet and make friends with other like minded fans at home and elsehwere.  So, first, ask those railfans around you what they know or if they know someone at the location(s) you are thinking about visiting.  Usually someone knows someone who might know someone who can send you in the right direction at the right time.

[Bob-Fryml]

Here's another idea.  If an industry spur has cars spotted for loading or unloading someone at that industry probably can tell you when the branchline local usually shows up to switch it. 

Even if you can't find any spotted freight cars, reasonably shiny industry tracks suggests that a business is an active customer.  Inquire within. 

[SFbrkmn]

One item non railroaders get confused about is "on duty" and 'departure" times. Both these are totally different. Locals and rd swtchrs do have a set time when the crew reports for work but when the train actually leaves the yard can be an hr after on duty or several hrs later. I have been on locals that many times departed 2,3, even 6 hrs after being on duty. Something to keep in mind when trackside.

[BT CPSO 266]

zugmann

Their answer would be "no".  In the name of security, big railroads will not give any information like that out.  

 

I do not know if you have visited Horseshoe Curve or the Gallitzin Tunnels, but they tend to have trains schedules available to the public for the non "As Required" freight that comes through. I do not know where or how they get those schedules; I guess they get special exceptions since they are tourist destinations.

[nanaimo73]

If you're good with computers, and live near a busy mainline, you may be able to use this-

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ATCS_Monitor/

[nbrodar]

 Generally, railfans have a pretty good idea what travels when.

As mentioned by others, asking the railroad for the schedule is usually not a very good idea.   That information is usually classified "propriety corporate information" by our rule book, and we are suppose to report any requests for such information to our security department.

Nick