Trains.com

whats your favorite trainwatching spot

14346 views
208 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 3:29 AM
I like the horseshoe curve most of the way up Trinidad Hill. the curve is about half way between Trinidad and Quincy WA. Go up the coulee from Trinidad about 4 miles and you can no miss it. Is about 10 degree curve more than 180 degrees on 1% ascending eastward. Open views and you can hear them coming either way for miles. Used to hunt the area with my Dad. Thanks for the memory.

Mac
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 3:29 AM
I like the horseshoe curve most of the way up Trinidad Hill. the curve is about half way between Trinidad and Quincy WA. Go up the coulee from Trinidad about 4 miles and you can no miss it. Is about 10 degree curve more than 180 degrees on 1% ascending eastward. Open views and you can hear them coming either way for miles. Used to hunt the area with my Dad. Thanks for the memory.

Mac
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 10:30 AM
Temple Tx. Great yard to railfan.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 10:30 AM
Temple Tx. Great yard to railfan.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by Willy2 on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 10:38 AM
Fremont Nebraska. The action is non - stop with Union Pacific and BNSF trains passing, on average every 10 to 15 minutes. There are also a lot of crew changes on the Union Pacific in Fremont.

Willy

Willy

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by Willy2 on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 10:38 AM
Fremont Nebraska. The action is non - stop with Union Pacific and BNSF trains passing, on average every 10 to 15 minutes. There are also a lot of crew changes on the Union Pacific in Fremont.

Willy

Willy

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 437 posts
Posted by BNSFNUT on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 5:23 PM
Any place that there is a train moveing. They can be scarce in the Southern Tier of NY.
My favorite spot is Weedsport NY on the CSX . Just sitting there in an lawn chair at the curve west of town with a cooler of drinks and the camera.

There is no such thing as a bad day of railfanning. So many trains, so little time.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 437 posts
Posted by BNSFNUT on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 5:23 PM
Any place that there is a train moveing. They can be scarce in the Southern Tier of NY.
My favorite spot is Weedsport NY on the CSX . Just sitting there in an lawn chair at the curve west of town with a cooler of drinks and the camera.

There is no such thing as a bad day of railfanning. So many trains, so little time.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:38 PM
Canadian touch here.

1. Bayview junction,southern ontario,Like a giant wye except its 3 CN subdivisions and making connections. CN,Via,Amtrak and some odd run through equipment. Plenty of foot paths on public land. and the best is i have had pizza delivered to me on the foot bridge[:D]

2.Portage junction. Winnipeg,MB Cn fort rouge yard, the junction to the emerson sub division BN interchange a short distance down the track. Extremly busy area. Nice sites include Via Rail yard at same location.

3. Portage la prarie. 1 hour west of winnipeg. CN and CP run through this town no more that 250 yards apart. Both main lines with multiple sub divisions connecting as well. Best part is the 2 open to the public stations, ,and the road that runs right in between the two main lines that is public land. Many overpass's for photo's. And an all around good spot to spend a day.

There are many more but i'll keep it short.

Best US spot i like is essex montana. Nice hotel ,good view.

http://www.trainswinnipeg.com

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:38 PM
Canadian touch here.

1. Bayview junction,southern ontario,Like a giant wye except its 3 CN subdivisions and making connections. CN,Via,Amtrak and some odd run through equipment. Plenty of foot paths on public land. and the best is i have had pizza delivered to me on the foot bridge[:D]

2.Portage junction. Winnipeg,MB Cn fort rouge yard, the junction to the emerson sub division BN interchange a short distance down the track. Extremly busy area. Nice sites include Via Rail yard at same location.

3. Portage la prarie. 1 hour west of winnipeg. CN and CP run through this town no more that 250 yards apart. Both main lines with multiple sub divisions connecting as well. Best part is the 2 open to the public stations, ,and the road that runs right in between the two main lines that is public land. Many overpass's for photo's. And an all around good spot to spend a day.

There are many more but i'll keep it short.

Best US spot i like is essex montana. Nice hotel ,good view.

http://www.trainswinnipeg.com

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Ski Donner Pass!
  • 51 posts
Posted by fischey on Thursday, August 7, 2003 5:02 PM
Railspotting in a day, takes the worries and troubles away... All the great spotter's spots have probably been mentioned so I will give you some faraway western ideas so you can plan for NEXT summer!! Vancouver BC up the Fraser. Gawshausome. The old GN line through Stevens Pass, WA. and into Seattle. The Columbia Gorge. Up the Sacramento (after you saw the CA RR museum) through Dunsmuir and then go to the McCloud. Double back under Shasta and see the route from Weed-Klamath-Eugene after a spectacular wind-down into the Willamette Vy. Stop by Crater lake. Go to Medford, Double back over the Siskyou line and visit Yreka. Go from Sacramento and watch the Donner Pass line, rip through Reno and then do the old WP line in the desert to Wnnemucca, it's good for the soul. Or even Ely, Nev (and Great Basin Nat PK, then on to Utah and painted Desert Canyon RRdg!! Feather River Canyon. Run from Spokane to Newport, WA, Pend Oreille/Sandpoint, ID into Montana. Not only will you get some foaming done, there are enough things to do and Parks to see that She Who Must Be Obeyed and fangly will love you.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Ski Donner Pass!
  • 51 posts
Posted by fischey on Thursday, August 7, 2003 5:02 PM
Railspotting in a day, takes the worries and troubles away... All the great spotter's spots have probably been mentioned so I will give you some faraway western ideas so you can plan for NEXT summer!! Vancouver BC up the Fraser. Gawshausome. The old GN line through Stevens Pass, WA. and into Seattle. The Columbia Gorge. Up the Sacramento (after you saw the CA RR museum) through Dunsmuir and then go to the McCloud. Double back under Shasta and see the route from Weed-Klamath-Eugene after a spectacular wind-down into the Willamette Vy. Stop by Crater lake. Go to Medford, Double back over the Siskyou line and visit Yreka. Go from Sacramento and watch the Donner Pass line, rip through Reno and then do the old WP line in the desert to Wnnemucca, it's good for the soul. Or even Ely, Nev (and Great Basin Nat PK, then on to Utah and painted Desert Canyon RRdg!! Feather River Canyon. Run from Spokane to Newport, WA, Pend Oreille/Sandpoint, ID into Montana. Not only will you get some foaming done, there are enough things to do and Parks to see that She Who Must Be Obeyed and fangly will love you.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:43 AM
To Soo2610, I second your vote for E. Dubuque. I have been there many times. I have a very good customer whose headquarters is on a hill overlooking the BNSF main line coming into E. Dubuque from the East and his main conference room is right over the tracks and when we meet I can hear the trains coming a good minute ot two before they actually are right below us. Needless to say this makes for some very big distractions during our meetings and I really have to work hard to stay focused and in control during these times. Jim
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:43 AM
To Soo2610, I second your vote for E. Dubuque. I have been there many times. I have a very good customer whose headquarters is on a hill overlooking the BNSF main line coming into E. Dubuque from the East and his main conference room is right over the tracks and when we meet I can hear the trains coming a good minute ot two before they actually are right below us. Needless to say this makes for some very big distractions during our meetings and I really have to work hard to stay focused and in control during these times. Jim
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,261 posts
Posted by emdgp92 on Friday, August 8, 2003 12:03 PM
It's a toss up between various locations in/around Pittsburgh. I usually spend my time down at the former PRR station. There's usually about 5-6 trains between 5:30 and 6:00 PM. Amtrak installed some nice chairs for their passengers....
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,261 posts
Posted by emdgp92 on Friday, August 8, 2003 12:03 PM
It's a toss up between various locations in/around Pittsburgh. I usually spend my time down at the former PRR station. There's usually about 5-6 trains between 5:30 and 6:00 PM. Amtrak installed some nice chairs for their passengers....
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 2:09 PM
gotta be the Manufacturers Railway yard and engine house in St. Louis, MO http://trainweb.org/stlrailfanning/mrs.html go to the bottom of the page and you will find a map to the engine house on Arsenal St.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 2:09 PM
gotta be the Manufacturers Railway yard and engine house in St. Louis, MO http://trainweb.org/stlrailfanning/mrs.html go to the bottom of the page and you will find a map to the engine house on Arsenal St.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 5:01 PM
Without a doubt - the north slope of Breezy Point watching BNSF struggle out of Crawford and over Crawford Hill - although it used to be better when one knew that the North Western was still running down along the White River...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 5:01 PM
Without a doubt - the north slope of Breezy Point watching BNSF struggle out of Crawford and over Crawford Hill - although it used to be better when one knew that the North Western was still running down along the White River...
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 8 posts
Posted by chanda on Friday, August 8, 2003 9:36 PM
Old route 66 in the Cajon Pass. Just off of I-15 is Sullivans Curve and a great spot to catch BNSF and the UP . You can usually tell how the economy is going by the number of trains you see in the pass. Lately they have been few and far between but in the past month things have been picking up.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 8 posts
Posted by chanda on Friday, August 8, 2003 9:36 PM
Old route 66 in the Cajon Pass. Just off of I-15 is Sullivans Curve and a great spot to catch BNSF and the UP . You can usually tell how the economy is going by the number of trains you see in the pass. Lately they have been few and far between but in the past month things have been picking up.
  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Saturday, August 9, 2003 5:56 AM
My all time favorite is the NS yard at Bellevue Ohio..Lots of action and no one bothers you unless you start getting stupid..I have witness several railfans being told to leave after they acted like they owned the yard.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Saturday, August 9, 2003 5:56 AM
My all time favorite is the NS yard at Bellevue Ohio..Lots of action and no one bothers you unless you start getting stupid..I have witness several railfans being told to leave after they acted like they owned the yard.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, August 9, 2003 7:38 AM
....Another good place to experience some train watching in a little different landscape woud be at Gallitizen, Pa....It is mountain top railroading on the old Pennsylvania, now NS. Two tunnels at one easy to reach spot. Only one is active now since it was modified to accept double stacks, etc...It is double track and one can position right on a street bridge and observe right into the bore[s]. There is another tunnel near by but not visible from this spot. This is at the top of the grade up from Altoona and around Horseshoe Curve with a grade of about 1.8%. Amtrak and freights.

Quentin

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, August 9, 2003 7:38 AM
....Another good place to experience some train watching in a little different landscape woud be at Gallitizen, Pa....It is mountain top railroading on the old Pennsylvania, now NS. Two tunnels at one easy to reach spot. Only one is active now since it was modified to accept double stacks, etc...It is double track and one can position right on a street bridge and observe right into the bore[s]. There is another tunnel near by but not visible from this spot. This is at the top of the grade up from Altoona and around Horseshoe Curve with a grade of about 1.8%. Amtrak and freights.

Quentin

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 8:04 AM
My favorite train watching spot is in Old Town Spring in Southeast Texas just north of Houston. The old depot burned down several years back when they made it into a restaurant and somebody left the grill on at night! They rebuilt it to look like the old one. There is an old railroad hotel called Wunche's next to track that is now also a restaurant. There are two tracks that converge here, one from the west tees into the north-south tracks that go past the Lloyd yard. Union Pacific tracks of course, but there is some BNSF traffic every now and then. The best feeling is when I come up on the signals and see a green light for a norht bounder. Can't see the train's headlights yet, but know it is probably high balling and will be there soon. All of the engineers know us and wave back when they pass! I like to read the railroad art on the side of the cars, does anyone know how these cartoons come to be placed on the cars?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 8:04 AM
My favorite train watching spot is in Old Town Spring in Southeast Texas just north of Houston. The old depot burned down several years back when they made it into a restaurant and somebody left the grill on at night! They rebuilt it to look like the old one. There is an old railroad hotel called Wunche's next to track that is now also a restaurant. There are two tracks that converge here, one from the west tees into the north-south tracks that go past the Lloyd yard. Union Pacific tracks of course, but there is some BNSF traffic every now and then. The best feeling is when I come up on the signals and see a green light for a norht bounder. Can't see the train's headlights yet, but know it is probably high balling and will be there soon. All of the engineers know us and wave back when they pass! I like to read the railroad art on the side of the cars, does anyone know how these cartoons come to be placed on the cars?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 9:01 AM
Two Favorite Sites:

1. High atop beautiful downtown Rondout, IL while I am working in the Tower.

2. Near MP 40-41 on CSX River Line at Iona Island & Dunderberg Mt, across the
Hudson River from where I was born in Peekskill, N.Y.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 9:01 AM
Two Favorite Sites:

1. High atop beautiful downtown Rondout, IL while I am working in the Tower.

2. Near MP 40-41 on CSX River Line at Iona Island & Dunderberg Mt, across the
Hudson River from where I was born in Peekskill, N.Y.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy