Eastern Railroad Discussion > Highest train counts

Hi all,

As a relatively new resident of the USA, I have a severe lack of railfanning knowledge. What places do you suggest for the largest number of CSX and NS trains?

Thanks in anticipation, Steve Andrews

Steve Andrews
Ames, IA

steveandrews Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi all,
>
> As a relatively new resident of the USA, I have a
> severe lack of railfanning knowledge. What places
> do you suggest for the largest number of CSX and
> NS trains?
>
> Thanks in anticipation, Steve Andrews

Off the top of head.  CSX, Fostoria or Deshler, OH.  NS, West slope between Altoona and Pittsburgh, PA or between Cleveland and Toledo, OH.  If you want both at once it's hard to beat Berea, OH just west of Cleveland.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/19 13:43 by stevelv.

Lots of action on both of them in and around Atlanta, as well.
Welcometo the USA!

The Berea and Fostoria suggestions are both good, and the area around Pine Junction, Ind. is also good for freight volume.

Train counts on both CSX and NS have suffered of late because of consolidations wrought under Precision Scheduled Railroading.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/19 14:03 by toledopatch.

Chicago is a lot closer to Ames than Ohio or Penna.  There are a multitude of busy locations in the south suburbs including Dolton, Blue Island and Joliet.  In the western suburbs, you can try West Chicago (Turner), La Vergne and LaGrange.  In the northern burbs, try Rondout.  There are many others as well..

All these locations are described in detail here: http://dhke.com/CRJ

As mentioned before, train counts are somewhat less than they were a few years ago, especially as regards CSX, NS and UP.

calumet Wrote:
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> Chicago is a lot closer to Ames than Ohio or
> Penna.  There are a multitude of busy locations
> in the south suburbs including Dolton, Blue Island
> and Joliet.  In the western suburbs, you can try
> West Chicago (Turner), La Vergne and LaGrange. 
> In the northern burbs, try Rondout.  There are
> many others as well..
>
> All these locations are described in detail here:
> http://dhke.com/CRJ
>
> As mentioned before, train counts are somewhat
> less than they were a few years ago, especially as
> regards CSX, NS and UP.

I was going to mention some of the western Chicago locations, but the inquiry was specific to CSX and NS.

toledopatch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was going to mention some of the western Chicago
> locations, but the inquiry was specific to CSX and
> NS.

Sorry, my error.  For CSX, Dolton, Blue Island, Willow Creek and Calumet are excellent sites.  For NS, try Indiana Harbor, Porter/Chesterton, Hammond/Whiting station and Ogden Dunes.
Of course, there are many others as well.
 

Pine junction Indiana is easily the busiest spot. The previous poster states on his excwellent website that PJ is off limits, however, things seemed to have eased off there. Stay in or close to your vehicle, and you should have no problems. I spent a couple of days there earlier this summer. without any issues, and tons of trains. Whenever I come over from the UK, a visit to Pine Junction is more or less mandatory!

I don't know about any of the other places mentioned, but shouldn't Folkston, GA and the "Folkston Funnel" get a mention? 

Warmest regards,

Arved Grass
Fleming Island, FL

CSX’s busiest location would likely be between Deshler and Fostoria, OH.

NS’s would likely be west of Elkhart, IN.

Posted from iPhone

Arved Wrote:
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> I don't know about any of the other places
> mentioned, but shouldn't Folkston, GA and the
> "Folkston Funnel" get a mention? 
>

Folkston is busy by regional standards, but not compared to the hot spots in Ohio and Indiana.

Thanks for all of your replies. There's a lot of food for thought!

Steve Andrews
Ames, IA

> shouldn't Folkston, GA and the "Folkston Funnel" get a mention?

PSR and reductions in coal traffic have driven the number of daily trains through Folkston down into the 30's. It was in the 50's not that long ago and sometimes would exceed 60. Many trains are longer, of course, but most people are interested in train count not car count. 

Arved Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't know about any of the other places
> mentioned, but shouldn't Folkston, GA and the
> "Folkston Funnel" get a mention? 
>
> Warmest regards,


Not anymore.

I've been going to Folkston in December or January in most of the years since the viewing platform was built. Besides trains, the weather in winter is usually agreeable and I enjoy a dose of the small town atmosphere... no hassle with parking, 24 hour access with no threats, other railfans to talk to, opportunities to stretch one's legs without venturing too far from the tracks, a welcoming local business community, etc. But seeing trains is still the primary objective, and I am thinking of alternatives to Folkston in the future.