Powder River Basin

[bnsfncoal]

I will be in the area on vacation next week and have about a half day set aside for pictures and such, have read alot about where to go but has anyone actually been there????? Any suggestions????

[Anonymous]

Draw a circle around Bill, Wyoming. The action is along the east side of WY Route 59. Expect a train every 15 minutes. Quite a site. You can also see into some of the strip mines. Pack a lunch and drink. You won't find many places to gas up or find a bite to eat. A full day(dawn to dusk) is required even if you are rushing it from Cheyenne.
tom

[arbfbe]

'In the area' and 'allowed half a day' does not compute. Unless you will be in Gillette or Douglas you may need half a day just to get there. Specifically, where will you be with half a day to spare. There may be better alternatives than a bee line to Bill with just enough time to turn around and head back. When they refer to the West with wide open spaces they mean really long distances between points of interest.

[bnsfncoal]

Thanks for the help!!!! I'm aware it will take all day and am planning accordingly...the wife on the other hand...hope she has a good book in the motor home. Thanks again.

Guy

[Anonymous]

You can see undercutters and tampers working on the tracks too. The BNSF's track is so bad they have had to put on over 100 miles of slow orders last month after two huge derailments. Had the PRB virtually shut down for almost a week. Both railroads have had to park dozens of coal train sets because they can't get across the Joint track fast enough to keep from backing up. Expect to see about 25% fewer trains than in April.

Dave H.

[arbfbe]

In the motor home look for the closest road parallel to the tracks. I believe it is called Sunlight road. Get on that when you can and then back to the pavement when you have to. this is near Bill and Gillette. Furthur south the pavement is the only option. Do not leave Douglas or Gillette without enough gas and liquids to get you through the end of the day. This is not an isolated stretch of road with no one to come along if you need help but stores and restaurants are far and few between. The Altamont Press Railfan Timetable for the area will have good maps of the rail and mine facilities. Get one before you go, you will not regret it. All the rr frequencies you need as well as detector locations are listed for the area.

[Anonymous]

Are you coming in from the North (near Gillette) or from the South (near Douglas)? Are you coming from the east or west. With this info, I can give you some tips.