Train watching

Yes!  I love watching trains.  I can sit at my desk on the computer as I am now and watch freights pass by on the branch line that is a block away.  Four trains a day with 130 cars and 5 engines.  Also love to go to the BNSF and UP mainlines when I can that are a little further away.

 

Art

CP88 NS Bethlehem Pa..........my favorite spot

 

JohnB

I don't mind watching a modern train when I am stuck at a grade crossing or near the tracks for some reason, but I don't make a hobby of it.  Steam, on the other hand?  If there is steam within reasonable distance, I am THERE.

Bit of a regular activity, often on Sun. mornings just for 30-45 min. or so after leaving church (mainline close by), or when passing by a yard with a few minutes to spare. Often see something new and interesting, which is fun. Always thought it a bit curious when hearing about a model railroader who never watched real trains. Whatever.

Many, many moons ago, I lived in a garden apartment complex that was bisected by the Conrail mainline... with a passing siding .... that went into their Oak Island yard in Newark, NJ. After work I would often go sit next to the tracks with a folding chair and a cooler with a few beers, and watch the trains. People thought I was kinda weird. LOL

A train guy --- weird ????

 

no way 

I can do one better. I am taking the Lake Shore Ltd from Boston to Chicago & then The California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco in June.  

I have spent many hours on the mountain along the NS mainline between South Fork and Gallitzin. Beautiful scenery and I have met nice folks from all over the US and Alaska. Plus have met some interesting NS employees, also. Was out today in Beaver Co. but the trains weren't. Read the Sunday paper. Did get a nice shot of an east bound(compass south)  of a freight on the NS Youngstown line.

I recently went to old orchard beach Maine and my hotel was in front of train tracks and when the Amtrak train passed through it shook the whole room, you could basically reach out and touch it. Some people complained but it was the best part of the trip for me

I'll go out of my to travel for steam excursions or steam railroads such as the Cumbres and Toltec and Durango and Silverton to ride and photograph. 

 

As far as today's railroading, I never go out of my way to watch them unless I am driving along and see them, or I'm stuck at a grade crossing. 

 

Absolutely no interest in modern railroading with the exception of what is required for my job.

Regards,

GNNPNUT

We have probably crossed paths between South Fork and Gallitzin.   Folks tell me if I park at the cemetery in Gallitzin I can walk down to the bend.  Is that true?

What are you calling the Bend. If you are referring to the Horseshoe Curve, that would be a very long walk. Also, which cemetery are you referring to.

1. Saint Mary's

2. Saint Patrick's

3. Bennington

4. St. Francis Xavier

5. Union

 Not Horseshoe Curve.  There's a nice bend in the rails as you come up the mountain and almost reach Gallitzin Tunnels.   You can see it from the top of 22.   I honestly don't know the official term for it.  There is a cemetery in Tunnel Hill.  People have told me to park there and walk down to the bend.  I've never tried it.

It my be the Bennington Curve. There is a cemetery there called the Bennington Cemetery. The Bennington Curve is where the famous Red Arrow train wreck occurred back in the late forties. Maybe 1947. Sorry, wish I had more information for you.

 

 

And I have several videos of my annual RR slideshows here (among other things):

http://www.bing.com/videos/sea...ourube&FORM=VDRE

 

I do. I just wish I knew of good places to do so near where I live.

-Greg

I used to live about a block away from a bnsf line in northern Idaho.  The kids and i enjoyed watching the freight trains go by.  Of course the horn blast in the middle of the night I dont miss.  I dont mind getting caught at a crossing, but im not going to go looking for trains to watch.

I used to RailFan all summer at one time.  Some of the best times I had was trackside with my Coleman Stove, a pot of coffee and a bag of buns. 

Unfortunately 9/11 pretty much changed all that.  In most cases you can't get anywhere near the railroads anymore, and if you do, you are always looking over your shoulder.  Alas as the old Blues song goes "The Thrill is Gone"

When I was in my 20s My buddies and I railfanned most of New York, Pennsylvania and south east Canada. Today I mostly watch trains the CSX at Chili Junction. That is where the former West Shore leaves the main and bypasses Rochester

On average I will see trains twice a month going to or coming from work and will watch as long as I can. I work across from a SEPTA station, when on that side of the building I go to the window to see SEPT stop at the platform. My favorite yard where we would watch has now been blocked off since 9/11. In short yes I like to watch real trains.