Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF in Franklin Canyon

How many trains a day does BNSF run through Franklin Canyon? I would like to go do some shooting there while the hills are green but dont know when to go. Is there a particular time of day that has more trains? Are weekdays busier than weekends? I was up there last Sunday afternoon scouting out some photo locations but saw no trains while I was there.

I don't know the train count but do recommend a scanner. It's track warrant territory so your lineups are on the radio.

I have the scanner. I had it with me on Sunday, but the radio was dead. No trains getting track warrants. I just missed one train. It was pulling into Richmond when I was on my way up. Other that the only thing I heard was the Port Dispatcher talking an Amtrak San Joaquin.

silagi Wrote:
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> I have the scanner. I had it with me on Sunday,
> but the radio was dead. No trains getting track
> warrants. I just missed one train. It was
> pulling into Richmond when I was on my way up.
> Other that the only thing I heard was the Port
> Dispatcher talking an Amtrak San Joaquin.

Oh. Saturday/Sunday are generally low traffic days. Also, unless things have changed recently, no traffic in the morning but a parade of westbounds in the afternoon.

A great place for photos is on christie road. turn right off eastbound highway 4 just before rr bridge. Probably 15 to 20 trains per day, early mornings and late afternoons are best but could see trains at anytime and a scanner helps.

I don't know the exact count, but it is worth your while to wait for trains.

chris bekiaris

JerryRobinson Wrote:
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> A great place for photos is on christie road.

Yes I scoped out several spots along Christie Rd when I was there last Sunday.

Last time I was up there, nearly five years ago, there was always a westbound fleet in the afternoon. I have no idea if that's changed by now. Mikey or one of those other east bay dudes can probably tell you more. I also remember the radio towers being shielded by the hills out there, so you really can't hear much of anything. The best way to do Christie was by dumb luck.

Sam Reeves
—
http://www.samreevesphoto.com

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[img::]https://cdn.trainorders.com/attachments/thumbs/76000/BW35980502_19.jpg[/img]

And dont forget the San Francisco Chief in the afternoon.

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photobob Wrote:
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> And dont forget the San Francisco Chief in the
> afternoon.


That's more like it!

Axy

Just wondering if those band members hang out up there, too.

see http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=49489

The singer grew up in Rodeo, and another member grew up nearby as well.

samreeves Wrote:

> Last time I was up there, nearly five years ago,
> there was always a westbound fleet in the
> afternoon. I have no idea if that's changed by
> now.

My impression is it's a little quieter now than in the recent past, what with stack trains from the OIG (Port of Oakland) often taking an all-UP routing to Stockton or beyond.

> Mikey or one of those other east bay dudes
> can probably tell you more. I also remember the
> radio towers being shielded by the hills out
> there, so you really can't hear much of anything.

The detector between Muir Trestle and I-680 (about MP 1168.9) can be hard to hear elsewhere in the canyon, and unless you have a good antenna, the detector at 1180.5 (under I-80 in Hercules) can be hard to hear beyond the east switch at Christie.

> The best way to do Christie was by dumb luck.

Bear in mind, too, that this portion of the Stockton Sub is still ABS, and the signals at the ends of sidings are constant-lit, so you have at least some warning of approaching trains (any color other than green). Intermediates by and large are approach-lit, unfortunately.