Favorite railfan locations and/or railroads

[Willy2]

My favorite railfan locations are: Kearney, Nebraska, Gibbon, Nebraska, Greenwood, Nebraska, and Fremont, Nebraska. Council Bluffs, Iowa is also a good place to see lots of trains. My favorite railroad is the BNSF followed by Norfolk Southern.

Willy

[Anonymous]

I`m prettty lucky in this aspect. Behind the Providence Northern Railroad modelers club
is a small freight yard off the main line, and both express and freight engines are frequent sites to see.

[Anonymous]

I`m prettty lucky in this aspect. Behind the Providence Northern Railroad modelers club
is a small freight yard off the main line, and both express and freight engines are frequent sites to see.

[wcfan4ever]

I'll have to go with these:

1) Porter/Chesterton, IN
2) Byron Hill, WI
3) Duplainville, WI
4) Rochelle, IL
5) LaCrosse, WI
6) Kansas City, KS
7) Neenah, WI
8) Stevens Point, WI
9) Harvey, IL
10) Fond du Lac, WI

[wcfan4ever]

I'll have to go with these:

1) Porter/Chesterton, IN
2) Byron Hill, WI
3) Duplainville, WI
4) Rochelle, IL
5) LaCrosse, WI
6) Kansas City, KS
7) Neenah, WI
8) Stevens Point, WI
9) Harvey, IL
10) Fond du Lac, WI

[The Block House]

I live in Jonesboro, Arkansas and do we have the trains. The old Frisco main line from Memphis, TN to Springfield, MO cross the Cotton Belt from Ilmo, MO to Pine Bluff, AR. Of course the Frisco is part of the BNSF and the Cotten Belt is part of the UP. The trains on the BNSF number about 30 a day. They move north and south through town and the best days are Thursday through Saturday. There is a lot of day light action on both railroads. The UP runs 95% of its trains southbound through town. The two tracks cross just east of Arkansas State University property. This crossing takes place under a major North South street . (Carraway) I hope you will stop in our town to do some train watching soon.

[The Block House]

I live in Jonesboro, Arkansas and do we have the trains. The old Frisco main line from Memphis, TN to Springfield, MO cross the Cotton Belt from Ilmo, MO to Pine Bluff, AR. Of course the Frisco is part of the BNSF and the Cotten Belt is part of the UP. The trains on the BNSF number about 30 a day. They move north and south through town and the best days are Thursday through Saturday. There is a lot of day light action on both railroads. The UP runs 95% of its trains southbound through town. The two tracks cross just east of Arkansas State University property. This crossing takes place under a major North South street . (Carraway) I hope you will stop in our town to do some train watching soon.

[Anonymous]

I usually head down to Roberts Bank in Delta, BC.....
mostly because it is a 5 minute drive from my house.

Lots of CP coal and CP and CN intermodal, apparently BNSF sometimes makes an appearance with coal, but I have yet to see them.

It's on BC Rail's tracks, but I haven't seen any BC Rail power on it for years (might just be a coincidence).

Another good spot is in New Westminster by the Quay. There's a triple track there with CP, BNSF and Southern Railway of BC.

[Anonymous]

I usually head down to Roberts Bank in Delta, BC.....
mostly because it is a 5 minute drive from my house.

Lots of CP coal and CP and CN intermodal, apparently BNSF sometimes makes an appearance with coal, but I have yet to see them.

It's on BC Rail's tracks, but I haven't seen any BC Rail power on it for years (might just be a coincidence).

Another good spot is in New Westminster by the Quay. There's a triple track there with CP, BNSF and Southern Railway of BC.

[Anonymous]

I have several favorites:
1. Wyalusing State Park where the Burlington Northern crosses the Wisconsin River right before the Wisconsin jions the Mississippi. The photos taken of trains crossing the river at sunset are too numerous to count and have even appeared in international travel magazines! Best train count: 9 trains in 30 minutes!
2. Grand Junction in La Crosse, Wisconsin (and from the top of Granddad Bluff) has the heavy use transcon BN Line crossing the old Milwaukee Road (now CP). BN's yard is right there and there is always at least two trains waitng to cross the diamonds. Traffic includes BNSF, CP, Amtrak, UP, CN, as well as interchanging for DME, IMRL which are nearby. Best train count: 23 trains in 58 minutes! (Not including locals or yard traffic)
3. Laurel, Montana! Awesome mountain railroading. BN hands over transcon traffic to Montana Railink in the yard that runs parallel to the Main Street for miles! There's helper service and loco servicing, 1st generation Geeps, fuel tenders, and the Beartooth Mountains as a backdrop!
4. Naperville, Illinois (Not Rte 59!) The California Zepher, the busiest Commuter Line in the country, BNSF intermodal. A train every 15 minutes even at 3AM, and 15 trains in 15 minutes during afternoon commute!
5. Proctor Grade in Duluth watching 140 car ore trains struggle up a 2.2% grade from the docks! Also great because you can see ships bigger than the largest aircraft carriers (1,150ft long) being loaded with ore and coal over 1000 miles from the nearest ocean!
6. Maiden Rock, Wisconsin on Lake Pepin. (The location that inspired Longfellow to write "Song of the Hiawatha." This is a sentimental favorite because I grew up just up the hill. I remember hearing the loneful howl of the "Big Green Giants" echoing off the bluffs as they rumbled through the night. I especially remember standing in the park on the shores of the lake and waiting for those freshly painted Cascade Green engines to appear around the end of the bluff. And once one would appear, waiting and watching for 6 minutes (an enternity for a 6 year old) until suddenly the whole village would shudder and BN would announce her presence with a rush of wind, a blast of the horn, and air thick with diesel fumes! A scene once acted out by S4s and 05As, repeated over 50 times a day for over 100 years!
7. Red Wing. Milwaukee Road and the Hiawathas. Winding between the bluffs and the shores of the Mississippi here meant speeds of 127 mph across Wisconsin to make up the time! OF course that was the 30's and with jointed rail! Now the Empire Builder still manages to kick up the dirt at 90!

[Anonymous]

I have several favorites:
1. Wyalusing State Park where the Burlington Northern crosses the Wisconsin River right before the Wisconsin jions the Mississippi. The photos taken of trains crossing the river at sunset are too numerous to count and have even appeared in international travel magazines! Best train count: 9 trains in 30 minutes!
2. Grand Junction in La Crosse, Wisconsin (and from the top of Granddad Bluff) has the heavy use transcon BN Line crossing the old Milwaukee Road (now CP). BN's yard is right there and there is always at least two trains waitng to cross the diamonds. Traffic includes BNSF, CP, Amtrak, UP, CN, as well as interchanging for DME, IMRL which are nearby. Best train count: 23 trains in 58 minutes! (Not including locals or yard traffic)
3. Laurel, Montana! Awesome mountain railroading. BN hands over transcon traffic to Montana Railink in the yard that runs parallel to the Main Street for miles! There's helper service and loco servicing, 1st generation Geeps, fuel tenders, and the Beartooth Mountains as a backdrop!
4. Naperville, Illinois (Not Rte 59!) The California Zepher, the busiest Commuter Line in the country, BNSF intermodal. A train every 15 minutes even at 3AM, and 15 trains in 15 minutes during afternoon commute!
5. Proctor Grade in Duluth watching 140 car ore trains struggle up a 2.2% grade from the docks! Also great because you can see ships bigger than the largest aircraft carriers (1,150ft long) being loaded with ore and coal over 1000 miles from the nearest ocean!
6. Maiden Rock, Wisconsin on Lake Pepin. (The location that inspired Longfellow to write "Song of the Hiawatha." This is a sentimental favorite because I grew up just up the hill. I remember hearing the loneful howl of the "Big Green Giants" echoing off the bluffs as they rumbled through the night. I especially remember standing in the park on the shores of the lake and waiting for those freshly painted Cascade Green engines to appear around the end of the bluff. And once one would appear, waiting and watching for 6 minutes (an enternity for a 6 year old) until suddenly the whole village would shudder and BN would announce her presence with a rush of wind, a blast of the horn, and air thick with diesel fumes! A scene once acted out by S4s and 05As, repeated over 50 times a day for over 100 years!
7. Red Wing. Milwaukee Road and the Hiawathas. Winding between the bluffs and the shores of the Mississippi here meant speeds of 127 mph across Wisconsin to make up the time! OF course that was the 30's and with jointed rail! Now the Empire Builder still manages to kick up the dirt at 90!

[tree68]

The parking lot of Carousel Center mall, Syracuse - right next to the Chicago line, and RDC's to boot.

[tree68]

The parking lot of Carousel Center mall, Syracuse - right next to the Chicago line, and RDC's to boot.

[Anonymous]

Here is my list: Well, here in Chicago i like 18th St. overpass by Amtrak's yard, Franklin Park (usaully here every Sunday after work), BNSF racetrack, West Chicago, Fox River bridge in Geneva, and my birthplace of railfanning DeVal in Des Plaines. Other locations in IL are Rochelle, BNSF C&I Line (Oregon, Burke, Savanna), Woodland Jct., Galesburg. Leaving IL i like Bellevue, IA, Kate Shelly Bridge, LaFayette, IN, Twin Ports, and the MN iron range. And the list goes on...

[Anonymous]

Here is my list: Well, here in Chicago i like 18th St. overpass by Amtrak's yard, Franklin Park (usaully here every Sunday after work), BNSF racetrack, West Chicago, Fox River bridge in Geneva, and my birthplace of railfanning DeVal in Des Plaines. Other locations in IL are Rochelle, BNSF C&I Line (Oregon, Burke, Savanna), Woodland Jct., Galesburg. Leaving IL i like Bellevue, IA, Kate Shelly Bridge, LaFayette, IN, Twin Ports, and the MN iron range. And the list goes on...

[Anonymous]

Anywhere on the BNSF ractrack, Rochelle and Joliet

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Anywhere on the BNSF ractrack, Rochelle and Joliet

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Flatonia, Texas. Major E-W, N-S Union Pacific Interchange there. There's a really nice covered photo pavilion, and a nice long yard. I love it when the gravel trains come south, and make the turn west towards San Antonio. When they're loaded up, the flanges scream and bawl like a two year old. Engines and loads are so heavy the ground shakes. One train was so long and heavy that it had a helper on the back. Don't see that much around here.

mike

[Anonymous]

Flatonia, Texas. Major E-W, N-S Union Pacific Interchange there. There's a really nice covered photo pavilion, and a nice long yard. I love it when the gravel trains come south, and make the turn west towards San Antonio. When they're loaded up, the flanges scream and bawl like a two year old. Engines and loads are so heavy the ground shakes. One train was so long and heavy that it had a helper on the back. Don't see that much around here.

mike

[JPowell]

I have to agree with George23, but also have to add, just about anywhere's in the East Syracuse (Side Streets on the N side of the tracks) / Minoa (Central Ave area) where you will NOT be on CSX property (I like the pedestrian bridge at the East end of the yard)!

[JPowell]

I have to agree with George23, but also have to add, just about anywhere's in the East Syracuse (Side Streets on the N side of the tracks) / Minoa (Central Ave area) where you will NOT be on CSX property (I like the pedestrian bridge at the East end of the yard)!

[Anonymous]

I'm also a Californian and enjoy all the spots you mention.I'd like to add:
the Borders Coffee shop across from the Emeryville Amtrak station--UP, Amtrak, Amtrak California and ocasional BNSF
Point Pinole Park--there are .2 places where the UP (former SP) and BNSF mainlines come close together, possibilities of many double train shots--plus it's a lovely park--bring the family.
I live not far from Martinez, it's a great place another park to give access to great shots.
Point Richmond is a nice old railroad town, the farhest point west on the old Santa Fe. Lots of BNSF switching and industrial shots

James

[Anonymous]

I'm also a Californian and enjoy all the spots you mention.I'd like to add:
the Borders Coffee shop across from the Emeryville Amtrak station--UP, Amtrak, Amtrak California and ocasional BNSF
Point Pinole Park--there are .2 places where the UP (former SP) and BNSF mainlines come close together, possibilities of many double train shots--plus it's a lovely park--bring the family.
I live not far from Martinez, it's a great place another park to give access to great shots.
Point Richmond is a nice old railroad town, the farhest point west on the old Santa Fe. Lots of BNSF switching and industrial shots

James

[RAILFANUSA]

1. The Keddie Wye
2. Williams Loop
3. Tehachapi Loop
4. Cajon Pass
5. Amtrak Station in Martinez & nearby Ozol Yard
6. Stockton Tower
7. Horseshoe Curve
All of the above are in California except for Horseshoe Curve which is near Altoona, Pa., of course. ;^)

[RAILFANUSA]

1. The Keddie Wye
2. Williams Loop
3. Tehachapi Loop
4. Cajon Pass
5. Amtrak Station in Martinez & nearby Ozol Yard
6. Stockton Tower
7. Horseshoe Curve
All of the above are in California except for Horseshoe Curve which is near Altoona, Pa., of course. ;^)

[Anonymous]

Temple TX yard and shop
Ogles TX 2 mile strech of track
Haven't gone but, Dublin TX

[Anonymous]

Temple TX yard and shop
Ogles TX 2 mile strech of track
Haven't gone but, Dublin TX

[wcaudle]

Let me offer my dittos to those that say anywhere that trains roam is a great spot. I have seen Tehachapi Loop and Cajon Pass in CA, Hinkle to the Blue Mountains in OR, Vancouver WA junction, the Powder River Basin in WY, almost anywhere in Nebraska, Rochelle IL, Fostoria OH and Amarillo TX. Each location has a bundle of trains per day with very few, if any, disappointments. I have been able to visit several large yards, Hinkle OR, Barstow CA, and North Platte NE. America is covered by rail and, mixed with the seasons, can provide almost any setting for you.

[wcaudle]

Let me offer my dittos to those that say anywhere that trains roam is a great spot. I have seen Tehachapi Loop and Cajon Pass in CA, Hinkle to the Blue Mountains in OR, Vancouver WA junction, the Powder River Basin in WY, almost anywhere in Nebraska, Rochelle IL, Fostoria OH and Amarillo TX. Each location has a bundle of trains per day with very few, if any, disappointments. I have been able to visit several large yards, Hinkle OR, Barstow CA, and North Platte NE. America is covered by rail and, mixed with the seasons, can provide almost any setting for you.

[wcaudle]

Croteaudd is definetly on the mark here. I have rail-fanned old US 30 several times and absolutely love Kearney. There are plenty of nice smaller and less-expensive motels there, all within walking distance of the downtown area. Very friendly college and farming town of around 30,000 people. [8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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.