Where should I railfan in San Antonio?

[techguy57]

Hi everyone,
work has kept me way busier than usual but today I have managed to find the time to post for the first time in several months. I'm traveling to San Antonio near the end of this month and wondered if anyone could give me some good tips on where to see the trains. As always thanks for the help!

Mike

[Anonymous]

There are a number of accessible areas in SA, as the UP runs right through downtown at grade on both sides of town. Sunset Station at E. Commerce St and the old SP tracks by the Alamodome is right on the UP east-west main line and has ATK also (occasionally). The curve by the old engine faciliry at East Yard (north of Sunset Station about a mile at I37 and I35) is good in the daytime, and the facility is now a car rebuilding contractor specializing in PAX cars. The New Braunfels Ave Bridge over East yard is a possible, but be aware that this area is a very bad part of town, so be very careful and do not be there after dark. The old Katy (now UP NB) runs right along I35 N of downtown for several miles, with unobstructed views and easy access. Similarly, the UP SB (old MP) runs out US281 north of town and is accessible, particularly by the Quarry Market (an old cement plant converted into a shopping mall, with a number of stores and decent restaurants in and nearby-exit Basse St). There are a number of other assessible spots around town. Be careful of the areas immediately south, east and west of downtown. Also go see the IGN depot on West Commerce (with the Indian warrior on top)--nicely restored, and the UP SB main and the north end of SoSan are visible from the bridge.

San Antonio is a great place to visit with a number of historical sites (try the missions-not just the Alamo), go the the bar in the Menger Hotel by the Alamo and see where TR recruited the Rough Riders, and try the Buckhorn Hall of Horns downtown and the Mercado (W Commerce St), in addition to the usual attractions like the Riverwalk (don't miss it, especially in the evening). I guarantee, you will not run out of things to do or see, RR or not.

Enjoy your trip.

[edblysard]

And, if you get the chance, at Eisenhauer road and I 35 on the east side, you can drive up and park right beside the fuel racks and service racks.
You cant miss the place, its about a mile south, on the east side of I 35, just before you get to the Big Red bottleing plant.
Ed

[UPTRAIN]

I like the Amtrak depot/alamo dome.

[Anonymous]

Here are some SAS pics I recently took. They were shot in the dawn's early light at the beautiful Sunset station...

http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10351&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

Sunset Ltd. & Texas Eagle together...
http://www.usefilm.com/image/280248.html


The yahoogroup, Railspot, which covers Texas, can also provide you good info on railfanning in the SAS area.

-Doug

[Anonymous]

ohlemeier---


Very nice shots![^][^] Why don't you send them to Bergie or Hemphill?? Photo(s) of the Day????[tup][tup]

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Sunset Station area is a good place to railfan. There is an SP Mikado on display at the north end of the original station. Wetmore Road north of 410 is a pretty good spot--the SA airport is on the west side of Wetmore Road so you can watch planes between trains. Darn shame the Texas Transportation Company's electric railroad has been abandoned--it served the Pearl Brewery. Got some nice shots of it in operation about five years ago street running on Jones St. by the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Good luck and enjoy San Antonio!!

[Mookie]

Might want to watch the "river" for anything that might be trying to run down there!

[eolafan]

I have railfanned at the Sunset Station several times while in town on business and will often find either Amtrak train or UP trains waiting to go into the yard, etc. Have had UP crews invite me up into the cab for a visit while they are waiting for a signal, COOL!