Favorite railfan locations and/or railroads

[zardoz]

crschu0:
I know what you mean. Even though the term "fan" used in this context is a contraction of 'fanatic', I use the two terms to mean different things. Some people I meet at spots are real nice, regular sort of folks; those are the fans. Others are practically drooling on themselves when they see a train, dart into traffic to get across the street to get a picture, they drive crazily to get to another spot to take more pictures; these are the 'fanatics'. There is a BIG difference in the two.

[zardoz]

crschu0:
I know what you mean. Even though the term "fan" used in this context is a contraction of 'fanatic', I use the two terms to mean different things. Some people I meet at spots are real nice, regular sort of folks; those are the fans. Others are practically drooling on themselves when they see a train, dart into traffic to get across the street to get a picture, they drive crazily to get to another spot to take more pictures; these are the 'fanatics'. There is a BIG difference in the two.

[eolafan]

zardoz make a very valid point about the fanatics who endanger themselves and others with stupid moves to get a picture, etc. I always try and take the middle ground in such situations and ALWAYS try and stay very safe, no matter what.

[eolafan]

zardoz make a very valid point about the fanatics who endanger themselves and others with stupid moves to get a picture, etc. I always try and take the middle ground in such situations and ALWAYS try and stay very safe, no matter what.

[emdgp92]

I *totally* forgot about some of the other places I've been! I sometimes railfan the old MGA (formerly narrow gauge W&W, now NS) lines south of Pittsburgh. In the 10 years I've been heading down there, I've only seen one or two other fans along the line. There are quite a few places along the line to watch trains.

[emdgp92]

I *totally* forgot about some of the other places I've been! I sometimes railfan the old MGA (formerly narrow gauge W&W, now NS) lines south of Pittsburgh. In the 10 years I've been heading down there, I've only seen one or two other fans along the line. There are quite a few places along the line to watch trains.

[JoeKoh]

please also remember take pictures leave footprints.I've seen "fans"be litterbugs.
stay safe
joe and matt

[JoeKoh]

please also remember take pictures leave footprints.I've seen "fans"be litterbugs.
stay safe
joe and matt

[Dad Howe]

Alexandria, Virginia depot. Before Amtrak, two station tracks for passenger, two "outside" tracks for friehgt. Usually a train of some sort throught here nearly every fifteen minutes. Used to sit on the platform and watch. Loads of fun. Been years since I've been there. Rememebr sitting there as an R,F&P freight heading south came through on the southbound station track and began accelerating. Tail must have been doing 45-50 by the time it cleared the station. Talk about LOUD!!!

Dad Howe

[Dad Howe]

Alexandria, Virginia depot. Before Amtrak, two station tracks for passenger, two "outside" tracks for friehgt. Usually a train of some sort throught here nearly every fifteen minutes. Used to sit on the platform and watch. Loads of fun. Been years since I've been there. Rememebr sitting there as an R,F&P freight heading south came through on the southbound station track and began accelerating. Tail must have been doing 45-50 by the time it cleared the station. Talk about LOUD!!!

Dad Howe

[louisnash]

I get to railfan out our warehouse door at my workplace on the NS line in Northern KY. 8 Hours a day watching trains go by and taking photos when I have the chance.

My Favorite RR is the L&N.
My son is a Chessie fan.

Brian (KY)

[louisnash]

I get to railfan out our warehouse door at my workplace on the NS line in Northern KY. 8 Hours a day watching trains go by and taking photos when I have the chance.

My Favorite RR is the L&N.
My son is a Chessie fan.

Brian (KY)

[croteaudd]

Kearney, Nebraska. Pronounced car-nee. UP's triple-track main sometimes averages a train every 10 minutes for 24-hours. Nice parking lot trackside. Eating nearby.

[croteaudd]

Kearney, Nebraska. Pronounced car-nee. UP's triple-track main sometimes averages a train every 10 minutes for 24-hours. Nice parking lot trackside. Eating nearby.

[Anonymous]

The Riverfront Park at Chicamaga Dam in Chattanooga Tn is an excelent train waching spot.Traffic to and from Debutts yard can be very heavy in the afternoons,and the trains cross the Tn river here on a big double track bridge.Meets on the bridge are common and the trains are always slow so good photos are easy to get.Being a public park,as long as you stay clear of the NS's property you will not be bothered by any security.

[Anonymous]

The Riverfront Park at Chicamaga Dam in Chattanooga Tn is an excelent train waching spot.Traffic to and from Debutts yard can be very heavy in the afternoons,and the trains cross the Tn river here on a big double track bridge.Meets on the bridge are common and the trains are always slow so good photos are easy to get.Being a public park,as long as you stay clear of the NS's property you will not be bothered by any security.

[Anonymous]

I've loved trains for years, but just recently really began seeking out mainline action, so I haven't been to a lot of locations, but I spent a weekend in Fostoria, Ohio on the advice of a fellow rail fan I met at the Conrail Sterling Yard in Sterling Heights, Michigan. What a great spot. The Amtrak station is a great place to just kick back and watch the action roll by. I intended to get over to Deshler, but with all the action in Fostoria I never made it!

Ross

[Anonymous]

I've loved trains for years, but just recently really began seeking out mainline action, so I haven't been to a lot of locations, but I spent a weekend in Fostoria, Ohio on the advice of a fellow rail fan I met at the Conrail Sterling Yard in Sterling Heights, Michigan. What a great spot. The Amtrak station is a great place to just kick back and watch the action roll by. I intended to get over to Deshler, but with all the action in Fostoria I never made it!

Ross

[Anonymous]

The old AMTRAK station near Dewitt Yard in Syracuse,NY.There's usually plenty of actionand even if it rains the canopy on the platform is still there.On the main line of CSXalso the occasional NYSW andCN.

[Anonymous]

The old AMTRAK station near Dewitt Yard in Syracuse,NY.There's usually plenty of actionand even if it rains the canopy on the platform is still there.On the main line of CSXalso the occasional NYSW andCN.

[Anonymous]

Folkston Georgia. All CSX trains into and out of Florida for the NE and midwest pass thru Folkston. The town of Folkston is very friendly towards railfans and have built a viewing stand with a scanner set to CSX frequencies.

[Anonymous]

Folkston Georgia. All CSX trains into and out of Florida for the NE and midwest pass thru Folkston. The town of Folkston is very friendly towards railfans and have built a viewing stand with a scanner set to CSX frequencies.

[atl126]

My backyard 200 yards for Norfolk SOutherns main from bellevue to toledo which also has W&LE running almost every other day but not lately maybe one a week but a lot of freights my vaoirt to watch go by is the L21 never know whats gonna be leading the local laters andrew

[atl126]

My backyard 200 yards for Norfolk SOutherns main from bellevue to toledo which also has W&LE running almost every other day but not lately maybe one a week but a lot of freights my vaoirt to watch go by is the L21 never know whats gonna be leading the local laters andrew

[landry]

The Durand, Michigan, depot is my favorite place. Not only is Durand the "heart" of my favorite, fallen-flag Grand Trunk Western, but it is a safe, non-tresspassing environment. It has restrooms, the Michigan Railroad History Museum, and plenty of traffic. For mealtime, the Iron Horse Inn is a few blocks away, complete with photos of GTW steam on the wall.

[landry]

The Durand, Michigan, depot is my favorite place. Not only is Durand the "heart" of my favorite, fallen-flag Grand Trunk Western, but it is a safe, non-tresspassing environment. It has restrooms, the Michigan Railroad History Museum, and plenty of traffic. For mealtime, the Iron Horse Inn is a few blocks away, complete with photos of GTW steam on the wall.

[Anonymous]

[:)] I worked in Arlington, VA last summer. A good spot when you have to use Metro is Alexandria Station. Go the the King Street Metro Stn, on Blue / Yellow. Alexandria has Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, CSX and NS. Good density of traffic in the evening. Good photo op from overpass south of stn and good from stn platform as well.

[Anonymous]

[:)] I worked in Arlington, VA last summer. A good spot when you have to use Metro is Alexandria Station. Go the the King Street Metro Stn, on Blue / Yellow. Alexandria has Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, CSX and NS. Good density of traffic in the evening. Good photo op from overpass south of stn and good from stn platform as well.

[Anonymous]

Would have to be Wayne Junction in Dayton Ohio. Plenty of CSX, and NS come through. Then it would be Portsmouth Ohio for NS action and Clare Yard in Ciny Ohio. And can not forget Roanoke Virginia. Watch the action from the overpass, and from the Virginia Transportation Muesuem. Along with other spots.

[Anonymous]

Would have to be Wayne Junction in Dayton Ohio. Plenty of CSX, and NS come through. Then it would be Portsmouth Ohio for NS action and Clare Yard in Ciny Ohio. And can not forget Roanoke Virginia. Watch the action from the overpass, and from the Virginia Transportation Muesuem. Along with other spots.