whats your favorite trainwatching spot

[Anonymous]

Not sure if anyone is still watching this thread...

My favorite spot is Blue Cut in the Cajon area of Southern California. The BNSF main and former SP now UP lines run right through the canyon. You can see numerous UP, BNSF and the occasional Amtrak. This area is part of the National Forest so you can camp in many areas.

Joel

[Anonymous]

I second Nrthwesterner's remarks. You can get to Ping Tom Park via the CTA and then walk through Chicago's Chinatown. This is highly recomended

[Anonymous]

I second Nrthwesterner's remarks. You can get to Ping Tom Park via the CTA and then walk through Chicago's Chinatown. This is highly recomended

[northwesterner]

I found one that I've not seen mentioned before. The City of Chicago has opened Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.
The cool thing abou this park is that it's bounded by:
A. 18th St. on the North,
B. the South branch of the Chicago River on the West,
C. the tracks out of Amtrak's coach yards on the South.
PLUS, the ex-IC tracks coming off the St. Charles Air Line run THROUGH the park, and the CTA Orange (Midway) line pass over it.
Standing inside of the park's fence and you are about twenty feet from the Amtrak tracks, the huge lift bridge the carries the tracks across the river, and the tower controlling the junction of the Amtrak and IC lines. You can also see the CTA Red line and the Metra Rock Island line a block or so away. Chack it out.

[northwesterner]

I found one that I've not seen mentioned before. The City of Chicago has opened Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.
The cool thing abou this park is that it's bounded by:
A. 18th St. on the North,
B. the South branch of the Chicago River on the West,
C. the tracks out of Amtrak's coach yards on the South.
PLUS, the ex-IC tracks coming off the St. Charles Air Line run THROUGH the park, and the CTA Orange (Midway) line pass over it.
Standing inside of the park's fence and you are about twenty feet from the Amtrak tracks, the huge lift bridge the carries the tracks across the river, and the tower controlling the junction of the Amtrak and IC lines. You can also see the CTA Red line and the Metra Rock Island line a block or so away. Chack it out.

[wcaudle]

Being raised on Armour Yellow land near Hinkle OR, I am somewhat drawn to their rail. I have visited, Tehachapi and Cajon (awesome), seen the Horseshoe Curve in PA, watched for 4 hours at Fostoria OH, and spent nearly 8 hours at Rochelle IL (WOW!!). I have tracked the coal trains through the Powder River Basin ( in sheer numbers, 100+ trains per day, EVERY day), visited the Alliance and North Platte yards.

But ever since moving to TX this year, I have been to Amarillo several times. Are you ready for vast amounts of trains? Well, the BNSF main lines converge here, from LA to Chicago (Double-track main) - Hereford SUB, the Boise City SUB, and the Red River SUB to Ft. Worth. Add to these UP traffic rights and you have 125 trains per day. Non-stop action with lots of foreign power, numerous unit coal trains and loads of double-stacks.

North America is blessed to have so many trains, so much action, for the few of some very good train watchers.

[wcaudle]

Being raised on Armour Yellow land near Hinkle OR, I am somewhat drawn to their rail. I have visited, Tehachapi and Cajon (awesome), seen the Horseshoe Curve in PA, watched for 4 hours at Fostoria OH, and spent nearly 8 hours at Rochelle IL (WOW!!). I have tracked the coal trains through the Powder River Basin ( in sheer numbers, 100+ trains per day, EVERY day), visited the Alliance and North Platte yards.

But ever since moving to TX this year, I have been to Amarillo several times. Are you ready for vast amounts of trains? Well, the BNSF main lines converge here, from LA to Chicago (Double-track main) - Hereford SUB, the Boise City SUB, and the Red River SUB to Ft. Worth. Add to these UP traffic rights and you have 125 trains per day. Non-stop action with lots of foreign power, numerous unit coal trains and loads of double-stacks.

North America is blessed to have so many trains, so much action, for the few of some very good train watchers.

[wcaudle]

Flashback!! I was raised in Hermiston OR, the Hinkle yard area. There is an absolute abundance of locomotives in the new repair facility that UP recently built. You may see as many as 100 or more locomotives during 1 day at Hinkle. As for train watching, as enginee stated, anywhere from The Dalles OR to Nampa ID is a very short viewing from I-84. Tremendous scenery in the Columbia Gorge. In the Blue Mountains, you will see and HEAR the thundering power of the newest UP motive power, roaring up the hills on welded rail. The UP is double tracking segments of this line. Hinkle is the junction to the Spokane WA and Canada area where there are a few trains on that line to see also, besides lots of CP power.

QUOTE: Originally posted by enginee

anywhere between the dalles ore and ore /idaho boarder you can go lots of scenery
changes trains running along the colunbia river to the 2.2 percent grade of the blue mountians to high desert

[wcaudle]

Flashback!! I was raised in Hermiston OR, the Hinkle yard area. There is an absolute abundance of locomotives in the new repair facility that UP recently built. You may see as many as 100 or more locomotives during 1 day at Hinkle. As for train watching, as enginee stated, anywhere from The Dalles OR to Nampa ID is a very short viewing from I-84. Tremendous scenery in the Columbia Gorge. In the Blue Mountains, you will see and HEAR the thundering power of the newest UP motive power, roaring up the hills on welded rail. The UP is double tracking segments of this line. Hinkle is the junction to the Spokane WA and Canada area where there are a few trains on that line to see also, besides lots of CP power.

QUOTE: Originally posted by enginee

anywhere between the dalles ore and ore /idaho boarder you can go lots of scenery
changes trains running along the colunbia river to the 2.2 percent grade of the blue mountians to high desert

[Anonymous]

Between Altoona and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, nothing quite like it in the world. The triple+ track main line is completly out of place here, snake-ing around mountains, winding through valleys, sliding down grades, piercing the earth through tunnels,and using every drop of motive power in the process to keep these mountain trains from catastrophy. For someone that has not experianced it, I can only highly recommend. A true sight last winter, hope this winter is even more severe, NS and the former Conrail mountain maintance crews don't let anything stop them.

[Anonymous]

Between Altoona and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, nothing quite like it in the world. The triple+ track main line is completly out of place here, snake-ing around mountains, winding through valleys, sliding down grades, piercing the earth through tunnels,and using every drop of motive power in the process to keep these mountain trains from catastrophy. For someone that has not experianced it, I can only highly recommend. A true sight last winter, hope this winter is even more severe, NS and the former Conrail mountain maintance crews don't let anything stop them.

[Toejam]

At the diamond in West Colton, CA.

[Toejam]

At the diamond in West Colton, CA.

[Anonymous]

I have always thought Doswell Virginia was nice- on the old RF&P, with a lot of CSX and Amtrak trains through the day, plus the old C&O line crossing, though its not as active as it once was. Nice old depot that you can set up a lawn chair at out of the sun and no one to bother you.

Anyone else been there?

[Anonymous]

I have always thought Doswell Virginia was nice- on the old RF&P, with a lot of CSX and Amtrak trains through the day, plus the old C&O line crossing, though its not as active as it once was. Nice old depot that you can set up a lawn chair at out of the sun and no one to bother you.

Anyone else been there?

[Mikeygaw]

The back row of a parking lot for the Philadelphia Zoo is right next to some track, seperated only by a chain link fence. Good for watching 'cause of its proxitiy to 30th Street, plus one track used mainly by a Septa regional line slopes down to almost ground level right at that lot.

Then there the street level line in South Philadelphia that serve the ports down there.

There's one spot that is real good view on top of a heavily used double track, but it's not a good place to stop because it's an entrance ramp to I-95.

I like the number of spots where the street dips down under a train bridge 'cause i can go up a block or two a watch the trains at eye level.

There's one spot i like to go with low veichle traffic where i can get NJ Transit and large number of freights, plus some street level stuff serving ports and a few chemical companies.

Another spot, although it has a lot of veichle traffic, one the other side of the street is a good sized area of grass where i can catch NS, CSX, Acela and regular Amtrak's, and Septa commuters. There's problaly a million more good spots that i don't remember or don't know about.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I can see a good number of unrepainted Conrail engines, especially one the lines that serve the chemical companies

[Mikeygaw]

The back row of a parking lot for the Philadelphia Zoo is right next to some track, seperated only by a chain link fence. Good for watching 'cause of its proxitiy to 30th Street, plus one track used mainly by a Septa regional line slopes down to almost ground level right at that lot.

Then there the street level line in South Philadelphia that serve the ports down there.

There's one spot that is real good view on top of a heavily used double track, but it's not a good place to stop because it's an entrance ramp to I-95.

I like the number of spots where the street dips down under a train bridge 'cause i can go up a block or two a watch the trains at eye level.

There's one spot i like to go with low veichle traffic where i can get NJ Transit and large number of freights, plus some street level stuff serving ports and a few chemical companies.

Another spot, although it has a lot of veichle traffic, one the other side of the street is a good sized area of grass where i can catch NS, CSX, Acela and regular Amtrak's, and Septa commuters. There's problaly a million more good spots that i don't remember or don't know about.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I can see a good number of unrepainted Conrail engines, especially one the lines that serve the chemical companies

[Anonymous]

Staint anne de bellevue, Quebec... 2 cp lines, 2 cn lines going in and from montreal.

[Anonymous]

Staint anne de bellevue, Quebec... 2 cp lines, 2 cn lines going in and from montreal.

[CG9602]

For me, the opportunities have always been limited. When I lived in Madison, there was a pedestrain bridge that crossed University Ave., and the Milw, and later the WICT and the WSOR, have run on the tracks underneath that bridge. Right now, it's a toss-up between Red Wing MN, and Prescott, WI. :)

[CG9602]

For me, the opportunities have always been limited. When I lived in Madison, there was a pedestrain bridge that crossed University Ave., and the Milw, and later the WICT and the WSOR, have run on the tracks underneath that bridge. Right now, it's a toss-up between Red Wing MN, and Prescott, WI. :)

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

1. Blue Island on the IHB. Several different roads operate over IHB and CSX also
provides plenty of action over itself and IHB. CN also runs through here. Since a
public grade crossing is involved, accessibility is not a problem.
2. Lavergne on BNSF. This is at the west end of Clyde yard. BNSF, Amtrak and Metra
provide plenty of action and CN (ex-IC) overhead provides occasional trains.
3. Hammond-Whiting Amtrak station. Most passenger service from the East stops
here and NS provides plenty of freights. Also, occasional EJ&E, CSX and CSL runs
to provide some variety.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

1. Blue Island on the IHB. Several different roads operate over IHB and CSX also
provides plenty of action over itself and IHB. CN also runs through here. Since a
public grade crossing is involved, accessibility is not a problem.
2. Lavergne on BNSF. This is at the west end of Clyde yard. BNSF, Amtrak and Metra
provide plenty of action and CN (ex-IC) overhead provides occasional trains.
3. Hammond-Whiting Amtrak station. Most passenger service from the East stops
here and NS provides plenty of freights. Also, occasional EJ&E, CSX and CSL runs
to provide some variety.

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite spots to watch trains is West of Boone, Iowa. The U.P. double track mainline crosses the Des Moines River on the Kate Shelly High Bridge. It has been rumored to be one of the worlds tallest and longest double track bridges. They just recently worked on it to allow it to hold two trains at a time. It is awesome anytime of the year. Best sight on the bridge was UP's Challenger Steam Locomotive #3985. Plus you don't have to wait long to see a train(s).
I am planning on making a trip to Rochelle, so that may change my mind, but... nothing can beat the mass of steel in the middle of the country on a warm summer day.

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite spots to watch trains is West of Boone, Iowa. The U.P. double track mainline crosses the Des Moines River on the Kate Shelly High Bridge. It has been rumored to be one of the worlds tallest and longest double track bridges. They just recently worked on it to allow it to hold two trains at a time. It is awesome anytime of the year. Best sight on the bridge was UP's Challenger Steam Locomotive #3985. Plus you don't have to wait long to see a train(s).
I am planning on making a trip to Rochelle, so that may change my mind, but... nothing can beat the mass of steel in the middle of the country on a warm summer day.

[brilondon]

[:o)]My favourite trainwatching spot is at the end of the Denfield side road just west of London Ontario. Both CN and CP have their Chicago - Toronto mainlines run under the bridge there. Amtrak and VIA also run under here.[:D]

[brilondon]

[:o)]My favourite trainwatching spot is at the end of the Denfield side road just west of London Ontario. Both CN and CP have their Chicago - Toronto mainlines run under the bridge there. Amtrak and VIA also run under here.[:D]

[rich747us]

Well, I dont think I could have just one favorite trainwatching spot, but one of my favorites would have to be Wellsboro Indiana, which is about 15-20 min. south of LaPorte IN. Lots of good action from CSX and CN where the two cross at the CSX controled diamond. I've only been there once, but it was a great show! Saw Amtrak's westbound Three Rivers drag race a CSX double stack, The Auto-Max train, a CSX self propeled geometry car, a CN geometry train pulled by what appeared to be a GP-38. Also, plennty of foreign power sightings (I saw one of BNSF's new AC4400's pulling a westbound empty coal train and a Wisconsin Central GP-50 on the CN!), especially on the CN line. The only drawback to this location is that it's about 15-20 minutes from food and restrooms, but if that's not a problem for you, it's well worth the trip!

[rich747us]

Well, I dont think I could have just one favorite trainwatching spot, but one of my favorites would have to be Wellsboro Indiana, which is about 15-20 min. south of LaPorte IN. Lots of good action from CSX and CN where the two cross at the CSX controled diamond. I've only been there once, but it was a great show! Saw Amtrak's westbound Three Rivers drag race a CSX double stack, The Auto-Max train, a CSX self propeled geometry car, a CN geometry train pulled by what appeared to be a GP-38. Also, plennty of foreign power sightings (I saw one of BNSF's new AC4400's pulling a westbound empty coal train and a Wisconsin Central GP-50 on the CN!), especially on the CN line. The only drawback to this location is that it's about 15-20 minutes from food and restrooms, but if that's not a problem for you, it's well worth the trip!

[CP5415]

Lovekin, on CP's Belleville Sub.

I have an excellent view of CN's Kingston Sub as both are a stone's throw away from one another.

Gordon