Western Railroad Discussion > Train watching west of New Orleans

I will have a full day to kill in New Orleans next month and since I'll have a rental car I was thinking of heading west towards New Iberia and/or Lafayette. Does anyone have advice for good places to shoot pictures of trains (where there actually might be trains) in that general direction? (I am not wedded to the destination...I simply have to be back in the NOLA area by 6pm.)

If you have time be sure to ride the streetcar line.

The former SP, now BNSF, line has a decent amount of traffic. Washington Street in New Iberia provides some street running. The trains used to actually run down the middle of the street, but years ago a separate area was created for trains with a traffic lane on each side of the tracks for cars. Maybe take a run up to Opelousas and check out the UP before heading back to NOLA.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/17 16:30 by CPCoyote.

goldcoast Wrote:
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> If you have time be sure to ride the streetcar
> line.

I've ridden all of the street car lines on previous visits. I will no doubt do more riding while I am there this time.

Thanks.

CPCoyote Wrote:
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> The former SP, now BNSF, line has a decent amount
> of traffic. Washington Street in New Iberia
> provides some street running. The trains used to
> actually run down the middle of the street, but
> years ago a separate area was created for trains
> with a traffic lane on each side of the tracks for
> cars. Maybe take a run up to Opelousas and check
> out the UP before heading back to NOLA.

Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for.

I second the suggestion for New Iberia. The Louisiana & Delta shortline runs out of the former-SP depot, which is also a stop for Amtrak #1 and 2. If the trains don't pan out, you can always drive down to Avery Island and tour the Tabasco plant.