I will be in the Wadena, MN area along the BNSF (old NP) line. Can anyone offer any guidance re: best times of the day on weekends (especially Saturday) for train watching? I don't have a scanner or a smart phone, but I do have an iPad (in case there is a helpful app or some such thing).
Thanks in advance!
This former NP line is very busy. I had to drive to Brainerd yesterday, and I saw 9 trains between Elk River and Little Falls in a little over an hour. West of Staples is even busier as trains headed for the Twin Ports are on the line. Unless there is a derailment or maintenance window, you are going to see trains all day long. Of the 9 trains I saw, 3 were crude oil unit trains. Enjoy Yourself!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I drive pretty regularly between Detroit Lakes and Moorhead. Typically in that 40 minute trip I meet one or two trains. They seem to be just about any time. I would assume Wadena would be pretty much the same. BNSF in and out of North Dakota on this line is pretty much swamped between intermodal, general freight, coal, grain, and oil.
Visited Wadena today (09/06) about 1:00PM. Was there about an hour with my grandsons, and saw 5 trains.
Thanks to everyone who replied.
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