Good railfan locations for a UK visitor?

[Anonymous]

Sadly, the UK railway scene has become less interesting. UK passenger trains are now almost all fairly boring multiple-units and the occasional short fast freight is almost bound to be hauled by a member of just one locomotive class - the EMD Class 66. Consequently, North American railroads become even more attractive. I visited Illinois in 2000 and was far from disappointed at Rochelle. This year a friend and I spent a terrific week in Pennsylvania, watching trains at Altoona, Horseshoe Curve etc. The question is: where next? I have the Kalmbatch "Hot Spots" guide but can anyone recommend any other favourite busy / scenic / friendly locations?

[CopCarSS]

Unfortunately, busy, scenic and friendly don't always go together. The UP in Nebraska is the quintessence of "busy" and Nebraska folks are certainly as friendly as they come. However, some don't consider it scenic (although I've always been a fan of really big grain elevators, and the open plains).

Cajon and Tehachapi are probably what I would consider the closest match to all of your requirements. I'd recommend a trip to CO, but the traffic isn't quite what it is elsewhere in the country. If you're into museums, and tourist lines though, I would put CO in the top 5 states in the country. Maybe top 3.

The Cumbres and Toltec, and Durango and Silverton are both world class rides behind well maintained, authentic locos. Scenically, both are quite beautiful as well (I might give a slight nod to the D&S for better scenery, but the C&TS is much more of a favorite to me).

There's lot of other neat stuff, too. Georgetown Loop, Royal Gorge Route, Pikes Peak Cog route, etc.

At any rate, whatever your choice, I wish you the best in your travels!

[mudchicken]

Would second CopCar's opinion and help at the Colorado welcome mat, but:

If you look at a US Rail Map, draw a north-south line from the southern tip of Texas north to central North Dakota, things get really sparse west of that line.

For Colorado, the busiest places around Denver (Utah Junction and 20th Street) are hardly scenic. One day on the Moffat Tunnel line will net you 6-8 freight trains and two Amtraks (scenic but not busy). The BNSF/ATSF transcon west of Amarillo, TX might be busy (60 trains/day), but not scenic and definately hot all summer long. Winslow-Flagstaff AZ has the scenery but would be difficult for you to travel to.

California on Tehachapi & Cajon is getting restrictive.

For out west, how much time do you want to spend?

[chad thomas]

I would highly recommend Cajon pass. It's busier these days than it's ever been. Photo oppertunities are almost limitless. Weather is usualy great.

[chad thomas]

mudchicken,
What makes you say Tehachappi and Cajon are getting restrictive? Cajon was closed a while back because of a fire, but that's over with. And recently they changed the rules and wilderness permits are no longer needed in the pass. Not to mention BNSF security has mellowed out a lot.

[mudchicken]

CDF turned over a new leaf? Busibodies that they are, I wouldn't expect that to last for long. Heard from a roadmaster I know out there that there were new headaches brewing near Sullivan's curve and some monkeybusiness around the old "treehouse" site.

[chad thomas]

Interesting, I wasn't aware any monkeybusiness. Not only did they remove the area from "permits required" zone, but they gave pro-rated refunds to those that no longer needed them.

[owlsroost]

What's Fullerton, CA like these days (on the BNSF mainline east from LA) ?

I've spent a few hours there on a couple of trips from the UK (whiling away spare time before catching the plane home) and found it an extremely pleasant place to watch trains - palm trees, coffee bar and restaurant on the station, and a steady stream of BNSF freights and Amtrak/Metrolink passenger trains.

Pop over to http://www.railcams.com/ to take a look.

I'd certainly agree that visiting Tehachapi is a must if you're in that part of the US.

Tony

[TheS.P.caboose]

In addition to Tehachapi and Cajon, I would also reccomend Beaumont Hill between West Colton and Indio. I've seen 6,000 ton hot shots and 14,000 ton draggers on Beaumont and lots in between. If correct, there's about 60 trains a day their.

At Fullerton, there's a lot of Amtrak and Metrolink during the day. Usually a BNSF freight heading north out of San Diego around 12:00 noon. Most of the freight action is over night. At Fullerton Junction the traffic can either head northwest towards Los Angeles or northeast towards San Bernardino.

[wctransfer]

Ok, TAKE MY WORD FOR IT! Come to the Twin Cities in Minnesota , Minneapolis and St.Paul. Its a railroad dream. We got BNSF,CP,WC,DME,UP and shortlines. If you really want to see a lot of trains you would come here, you can see anything you want.

Alec

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for all your responses. I am scribbling down the info. By the way, I hope I have not discouraged any railfan who was thinking about a UK trip. My somewhat negative remarks express only what I personally feel about the trains on Network Rail. We have plenty of great tourist lines that would make a UK trip worthwhiile: lots of steam and classic diesels. For me the greatest attraction is Welsh narrow gauge: scenic and very friendly - and busy in the sense that there are several lines in one small region.

[daveklepper]

I agree with you about the Welsh narrow gauge. There is the Tallylin, the Festinoig, the Vale of Rhydol (still British Rail steam or is it private?) and the Mount Snowdon (still steam or is now diesel) cog. Two days are enough to see them all, and there are fine places to stay and access is easy with a rental car.

But for a trolley fan, it is definitely the Isle of Man!

[alstom]

FOSTORIA, OHIO

[tregurtha]

Fostoria, Ohio (south of Toledo) is a good spot. A B&O/C&O diamond carries more than 100 freights a day on average. An Amtrak station at one of the diamonds is a good spot to set up shop. Scenic? Not really. Fostoria is a small working class town, but it does have midwest charm. Lots of NS and CSX action though!

Ross R.

[daveklepper]

One spot has not been mentioned for a long time. Palmer Lake between Denver and Colorado Springs on the Joint Line. Very heavy traffic, great in the morning with the sun coming from the East and the Rockies as a background in the West, with both UP and BNSF using the line intensively. No passenger trains at the present time, however.

[alstom]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tregurtha

Fostoria, Ohio (south of Toledo) is a good spot. A B&O/C&O diamond carries more than 100 freights a day on average. An Amtrak station at one of the diamonds is a good spot to set up shop. Scenic? Not really. Fostoria is a small working class town, but it does have midwest charm. Lots of NS and CSX action though!

Ross R.

Although the Amtrak Station spot is not as active as the C&O-NS diamond on Columbus St. Was there last weekend. 38 trains in 4 hours!

[JoeKoh]

if coming to fostoria would suggest a quick trip to deshler ohio.although not as busy as fostoria alot of trains use the southeast wye coming and going to fostoria from the south.also you have the B&O classic cpl signals there.not only that but its small town and the pizza place delivers to the park.
stay safe
Joe

[spbed]

Please look up my web site.

Some of the recents spots I have been to are

Gibbon NE
Ogden UT
Green River WY
Salt Lake City UT
Daggett CA (personal favorite)
Colton CA (also personal favorite)
Riverside CA

If you like fun & trains then go to Vegas a liitle north from the Stratosphere is the UPRR mainline on Wyoming Ave.

[:o)][:)][:p]

Originally posted by Hine.J
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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