26 replies to this topic

[Acela150]

Trying to think of a good place on the NEC to railfan. I've been thinking Metropark or Trenton. Maybe being a little bit adventurous and heading to Alexandria. I want to use Amtrak to get there is the bottom line.

All suggestions are welcome!

Steve

[the_traveler]

The best place to rail fan is .................... near a train track! (Sorry - I couldn't resist!)

Actually any of those sound great. Between NYP and WAS you have the most Amtrak trains (and maybe commuter traffic also), while ALX would have Amtrak, VRE, METRO (King Street Station is right next to the Amtrak station) and (I'm not sure of this) maybe some freight action.

[AlanB]

BWI, hands down IMHO.

It has a sky bridge across the tracks so that you can look out in either direction and watch the trains fly right under you. And not all trains stop at BWI, some Acelas skip that stop and all LD's skip it too. So you can see a train fly by right under you.

Trenton you can look out over the tracks to the east, but last I knew you cannot see to the west. Even if you can, you won't see far as a bridge gets in the way pretty quickly.

[PRR 60]

If you don't mind a short NJ Transit ride, Hamilton (NJ) Station (three miles north of Trenton) is a great place to watch almost non-stop NEC and NJT action. It is in the 135mph territory for Acela, and 125mph for Regionals. The station is on a long straight-away, so you can see several miles in each direction. Like BWI, it too has a bridge over the tracks with great visibility both north (RR east) and south (RR west). There is a shop selling drinks and snacks, and bathroom facilities.

Princeton Junction, the next stop north, has similar attributes of visibility, train speed and passenger amenities, but it lacks an overhead bridge (side to side is through a tunnel). On the plus-side, it has arrivals and departures of the Princeton "Dinky" to add to the allure.

[Texan Eagle]

Princeton Junction

Miles and miles of straight track on both sides of the station so you can just wait at the platform and watch the Acelas and other trains zoom by. It is also on one of the "high speed zones" so Regionals will regularly do full 125 mph and Acelas blast past at 135 mph. There is a small cafe at the station to take care of your hunger pangs and the station itself is not too busy.

[railiner]

If you are merely there to observe and not take photos's, I would prefer a place like Newark, for its variety. Amtrak; NJT NEC, NJCL, RVL, Newark City Subway; PATH trains, not to mention GL and NJT buses as well. And the Art Deco station is very interesting in itself. Plus you can obtain timetables, and full station services, as well as plenty of dining choices there or nearby.

[Texan Eagle]

If you don't mind a short NJ Transit ride, Hamilton (NJ) Station (three miles north of Trenton) is a great place to watch almost non-stop NEC and NJT action. It is in the 135mph territory for Acela, and 125mph for Regionals.

Do the trains that stop at Trenton manage to pick up speed to 125mph/135mph in the 3 mile distance from Trenton to Hamilton? I've been to Princeton Junction a couple of times, did not get off at Hamilton because I thought the trains would still not be at their max speed, either still accelerating or decelerating for the Trenton stop.

[the_traveler]

Prior to the Acela top speed of 150 mph being allowed all the way from RTE to PVD, they were allowed to go 150 in a 3 mile stretch only a few miles north of the PVD station, which is a stop for all AE's! And I have been on many Regionals that are doing 110 by that time! (There was also a 15 mile or so stretch south of PVD. Both have been extended. One is thru the KIN station - so I'm a happy camper!)

[AlanB]

Prior to the Acela top speed of 150 mph being allowed all the way from RTE to PVD, they were allowed to go 150 in a 3 mile stretch only a few miles north of the PVD station, which is a stop for all AE's!

It's not 150 the whole way, as if IIRC, the Canton Viaduct has a top speed of 125 MPH. And the last 2 or 3 miles into PVD is at a very reduced speed with several sharp curves.

[the_traveler]

Of course you're right Alan. I would not want to take the Canton viaduct at 150, and the approach to PVD does have sharp curves. But most of the way is 150!

[Ryan]

Come on down to DC, the NoMA/New York Ave Metro station is where all the action is - MARC/VRE/Amtrak, and moves back and forth between the station and the Ivy City yards.

[acelafan]

Thanks for the tip about that location. I am occasionally in DC for work but can't always get to BWI. Sounds good!

[Acela150]

Thanks for all the advice! I really love all these spots. Ryan how do fares work on the Metro in DC?? How are they with Railfans taking photos from NY Ave?

I have gone to Princeton Junction Before and that's a pretty interesting place! Trains hit full speed through there. Hamilton there just getting up to speed and starting to slow down.

I think depending on funds I'll do BWI and then WAS..

[Acela150]

Decided to do BWI and WAS this Tuesday.. Have a day off and I'm eligible for that promo that AGR has going. Although my train from BWI to DC had a bucket under the $35 minimum for the 100 TQP bonus I'll still take the 100 TQP's that I'll get.

Not to mention I was looking at trains online then booked on my phone about 10 minutes later. Got about a $10-15 lower bucket.. I had to do a double take. I always write things down. I looked and said. "DEAL!" So for next day travel I got really good deals. My train home I almost got low bucket!

[AlanB]

Thanks for all the advice! I really love all these spots. Ryan how do fares work on the Metro in DC?? How are they with Railfans taking photos from NY Ave?

Fares in DC are distance based, although if you remain within the downtown area it's basically the same fare no matter where you go. One could even walk from WUS to NY Ave, I've done it several times staying in a hotel right next to the NY Ave station. But I'll walk from WUS to the hotel since it's cheaper than riding.

Of course one can't really get into the station without paying, so that is an issue. And you can't enter the Metro at WUS, ride to NY Ave, and then ride back. The system won't know what to do with you, since you started and ended at the same station. So you'd have to exit at NY Ave and then either walk back or reenter paying a second fare to ride back.

Frankly though, I'm not sure that it's worth that effort for any photos from that station. Yes, you may get some nice shots of the yard, but the NEC is probably a bit further away than you really want to try shooting photos of trains.

Not sure about people taking photos from the platform. The garage at DC is a nice place to take pics however.

[bmorechris]

Probably won't work for you but the next MARC station north of BWI is Halethorpe and it still has low level platforms (they are currently constructing high levels) so you can really get right next to the tracks and even the single level equipment looks pretty impressive from that vantage point. I believe the max speed in that area is 100 mph, it seems like the Acelas are moving faster than the regionals. Also, I don't know if it is a particularly good spot for photography, but it is a fun place to watch. On weekends there are sometimes a couple guys hanging around watching trains.

[Ryan]

Frankly though, I'm not sure that it's worth that effort for any photos from that station. Yes, you may get some nice shots of the yard, but the NEC is probably a bit further away than you really want to try shooting photos of trains.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, you can't possible get any closer to the NEC without getting hit by a train - here's the view that you get from the platform (not my picture):


Amtrak 792 Switcher by Mr. T in DC, on Flickr

Everything going in and out of Washington on the NEC and the MARC Brunswick Line goes right in front of you.

As long as you don't have a tripod, you're legal for taking pictures. I've been harassed once in WMATA (at a different station) taking pictures, but if you're aware of the policy you shouldn't have any issues.

The fare will be between $1.60 and $2.15 each way, depending on what time of day it is.

As Alan mentioned, the garage at Union Station is also an excellent place to catch some action (this shot is mine):


Green Copper by Ryan Stavely, on Flickr

At the top of the picture, you can see the NoMA station to give you another idea of what you'll be able to see from that station. This was taken with my D90 and 18-105mm zoomed all the way out to 105mm. If you have a longer telephoto lens, you can get some better shots from up that high.

I'm not too keen on shooting from the bridge at BWI (I find that the glass gets pretty dirty), but it is a cool place to watch from.

If you're looking at MARC stations, I'm partial to Odenton since it's only a few minutes from my house.

Here's the view looking south:

MARC Local to Perryville by Ryan Stavely, on Flickr

And here's the view looking north:

AEM-7 #919 by Ryan Stavely, on Flickr

[Tracktwentynine]

Thanks for all the advice! I really love all these spots. Ryan how do fares work on the Metro in DC?? How are they with Railfans taking photos from NY Ave?

Fares in DC are distance based, although if you remain within the downtown area it's basically the same fare no matter where you go. One could even walk from WUS to NY Ave, I've done it several times staying in a hotel right next to the NY Ave station. But I'll walk from WUS to the hotel since it's cheaper than riding.

Of course one can't really get into the station without paying, so that is an issue. And you can't enter the Metro at WUS, ride to NY Ave, and then ride back. The system won't know what to do with you, since you started and ended at the same station. So you'd have to exit at NY Ave and then either walk back or reenter paying a second fare to ride back.

Actually, the system will know what to do with you.

If you enter and exit at the same station, you get charged base fare. ($1.60 off-peak, $2.15 during rush hour*).
*Note: Fares go up July 1.

Anyway, there are several good places to go where you can watch trains from the Metro platform without leaving the faregates.

NoMa-Galluadet U (New York Avenue) [Red Line] This station is good if you like watching trains creep by. You do see a lot of them. It's right next to the lead track into Union Station.

NoMa-Galluadet U platform.

Landover [Orange Line] This station is located right next to the NEC, and at higher elevation. You can watch Acelas speed along the corridor at a good clip (probably about 90), since they don't stop at New Carrollton. Regionals and MARC trains will be slowing for their stop at New Carrollton.

King Street or Braddock Road [Blue/Yellow] These stations are right next to the RF&P Subdivision. You can see the Amtrak trains that operate south of Washington along with VRE trains and CSX freights.

Any station between Brookland and Silver Spring [Red] has the platform and Metro tracks between the CSX/MARC tracks. You can see the Capitol Limited, rush hour MARC commuter trains, and freights from the platform.



If you want to venture outside the Metro system, you have options, too.

In Downtown Silver Spring, there's a short segment of elevated trackage for the Metro and CSX tracks. You can get some interesting perspectives.


Outside the Silver Spring station.

College Park [Green] has a pedestrian grade crossing at the MARC station. The tracks are home to CSX and MARC commuter trains.

Commuter rail platforms can also be an option, Greenbelt, New Carrollton, and King Street have easily accessible platforms. Technically, I believe you have to be a ticketed passenger to be on the platform at New Carrollton, but I've never been questioned (I've always been ticketed anyway), despite arriving on the platform more than an hour before my train and taking lots of photos.


New Carrollton.

[Acela150]

Knocked BWI out on the list.. What's next?? Something on the Northern end.. I've already done Princeton Junction a few years ago.

BWI was a GREAT place!! I will 110% do it again! The first set of trains were Marc trains and it was a meet and perfect sunlight! In matter of fact the weather was perfect! Just minor cloud cover. A nice breeze was blowing too. Some how a decent brush fire kicked up on the side of the Southbound Platform and duty called so I grabbed the attention of an Amtrak Police officer who was freaking out. Asked her where a fire extinguisher was to put it out. She gave me a little bit of h$%l for it then came around when I said right now it's about to get worse. Let me down there.. I'm currently hoping there's not a federal warrant for my arrest. I will say her dog scared the living h&*l out of me. She later thanked me.

Why is it that these cops get put through hours of training but yet from what it seemed they got ZERO fire extinguisher training???? Even local and state police officers get put through it.. So why not them?? Does any one know if they do? And if they are not why not? It could have been a lot worse then it was.. It's the stuff that gets one thinking..


Steve

[abcnews]

Here are some good locations in Virginia....

Alexandria station - numerous trains, but limited speeds.

Doswell VA - Has a nice old R F & P tower as well as a mainline crossing with the old C & O Piedmont line (now CSX/Buckingham Branch). The Buckingham Branch has a nice GP 9 parked on the siding tracks. Also there is an old country store right next to the tracks that is a very nice antique shop. Maybe 40 to 50 trains per 24 hrs (both lines combined). The CSX main has Auto Train, S Star, S Meteor, Palmetto, Carolinian, plus about 5 more Northeast trains each way... Also quite busy with freight traffic too...

Ashland, VA is excellent - the station is old and quaint - and open to the public, and there is an nice old Inn with a great front porch and rockers that overlooks the main line. Also there are lots of eateries too... Bring a bike - good bike riding along the tracks along the tree lined streets of Ashland (Railroad Ave). You can ride bikes between the train activity. The railroad is pretty much the theme of Ashland.

Petersburg, VA - excellent place at Collier yard - where the CSX main crosses above the NS mainline to Norfolk (Roanoke - Norfolk line). Trains will pass there at decent speeds. And a little farther down the CSX mainline is Carson, VA. They pass through the picturesque farm village at 79 MPH. Nice parking lot by the old bank and the restored train station. Close to I-95 too.

Edited by abcnews, 28 June 2012 - 10:21 AM.