Western Railroad Discussion > Best Line or Spot for Coal Trains in Midwest

What would you say is the best RR line, city, or otherwise to photograph coal trains in the Midwest? This would be a combo of a) number of trains, and b) interesting landscape/cityscape.

I know that a lot of coal moves through Kansas City, and that's a great place to photograph coal movements. Just wondering if there are similar or even better places out there.

Appreciate any opinions and info you can provide!

--Steve Schmollinger

UP's ex CNW main between Omaha and Chicago and BNSF's creston sub.
JC

JasonCNW Wrote:
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> UP's ex CNW main between Omaha and Chicago and
> BNSF's creston sub.
> JC

Thanx! Where is the Creston Sub, and how many coal trains do these two lines see per day? Very scenic?

schmo Wrote:
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> JasonCNW Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > UP's ex CNW main between Omaha and Chicago and
> > BNSF's creston sub.
> > JC
>
> Thanx! Where is the Creston Sub, and how many coal
> trains do these two lines see per day? Very
> scenic?

Lincoln, NB to Chicago line and yes there both have scenic spots. I can think 10 spots you would like off the top of my head.

QU25C Wrote:
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>
>
> Lincoln, NB to Chicago line and yes there both
> have scenic spots. I can think 10 spots you would
> like off the top of my head.


Iwas gonna say Lincoln west...either way, Lincoln NE is a coal gateway and if you go east you get a nice bridge at Plattesmouth, NE with a good vantage point for emtys coming from IA., loads are through a deep cut and curve...

west of LIncoln some nice wooden bridges over RR and tons of coal traffic.

So, I vote BNSF in Eastern NE>

Chico
http://heartlandrails.com/home/home.asp

Northport, Nebraska would be one! BNSF coming out of the Southern PRB, going to Alliance or Colorado crossing UP coming out of Southern PRB.

KK

How about the Nebraska Sandhills? Nothing but coal trains, and very scenic!

Nick S.
http://www.nicksuydam.com/blog

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The St. Louis area on several lines is generally a good place to find coal trains, and the scenery, although not Cajon Pass or Marias Pass, is pretty decent, with plenty of rolling hills. Coal comes in from the PRB on BNSF from the Hannibal Sub south along the Mississippi River, and west on the UP over the Jeff City Sub. Some of this coal is destined for St. Louis, much is headed to locations in Southern Illinois and well beyond.

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More...BNSF Side

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How about coal traffic and scenery on the BNSF Thayer Sub east of Springfield, Missouri? Pretty decent?

schmo Wrote:
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> How about coal traffic and scenery on the BNSF
> Thayer Sub east of Springfield, Missouri? Pretty
> decent?

If you like tons of hogbacks, grades that will stall a coal load with five AC units and up to 30 trains a day on a good day, then the Thayer North Subdivision is for you.

Scenery is average for the area, though not as good as the relatively quiet Cuba Subdivision north of it.

Midwest

It's been mentioned in other threads, but can't beat BNSF's Crawford Hill for scenery, grades (thundering exhaust), out-West feel.

mapboy

mapboy Wrote:
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> It's been mentioned in other threads, but can't
> beat BNSF's Crawford Hill for scenery, grades
> (thundering exhaust), out-West feel.
>
> mapboy

Do they still use manned helpers there? How many trains per day?

When do the leaves start showing up on the trees in and around KC? Late March? Early April?

schmo Wrote:
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> How about coal traffic and scenery on the BNSF
> Thayer Sub east of Springfield, Missouri? Pretty
> decent?

Yes it is not that much in the way of fast trains but big hills and the coal trains are running 2 by 3 DPU's. the weather is more sumer like by may 15 up here Iowa less ran more sun

I would put my money on the BNSF line from Grand Island to Crawford. Route 2 follows the line most of the way.
Sean T.

If a person was looking for the greatest number of coal trains, they should try the UP between O'Fallons, NE and thru Bailey yard to Gibbon Junction. The scenery is not as good as along 2 in the Sandhills (BNSF), but there are places east of N. Platte, in the many small towns along US 30, that could be used.

schmo Wrote:

>
> Thanx! Where is the Creston Sub, and how many coal
> trains do these two lines see per day? Very
> scenic?


Really, now, Steve--"very scenic"!!! Does it matter when you toss on a 600mm lens if a line is scenic or not? It'll make the littlest dip into a canyon!!!

Hanover, KS has a nice deep cut on a curve North of town on the Marysville sub. There is 70-80 trains aday, not all coal but alot of them. You can see 3 miles straight down the track to Northwest. upkpfan

upkpfan Wrote:
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> Hanover, KS has a nice deep cut on a curve North
> of town on the Marysville sub. There is 70-80
> trains aday, not all coal but alot of them. You
> can see 3 miles straight down the track to
> Northwest. upkpfan
yes that's a nice spot but lots of muddy roads in the spring time . if he has time to do it right start at KC working your way north too Lincoln,NB on the BNSF .then work East in to Iowa to about I35 on the BNSF head North to the UP East West working West to Omaha NB Then work high way 2 west along the sand hill's to Alliance NB heading South to the UP and fallow the UP to Gibbon,NB fallowing the Marysville line to KC. Now that's a dream trip