Rail photography in the US - recommendations and any limitations?

[Tim R-T-C]

Hi folks,

I am off to the US twice this year, Arizona & California in April and Texas & Illinois in September. I was just wondering if there were any issues photographing American trains trackside or at stations?

Is there an equivalent to RealTimeTrains for monitoring freight trains in the US and is a radio scanner legal/recommended for locating trains?

Does anyone have recommendations for good places to photograph in:

San Francisco
Atlanta
Austin, TX
Dallas
St Louis
Chicago

Many thanks.

 

[Gordon]

.

San Francisco is somewhat off the beaten track for trains. I visited in 1991 and left the city by Caltrain to San Jose.

However, I made a HUGE mistake (Pre internet so not as easy as nowadays) by not researching the fact that Jack London station in Oakland is 'awesome' with huge freights going down the middle of the street right through the centre of the city.

To be fair I was with my dad who is more of a tram enthusiast and we concentrated on the delights of SF but it still irritates me to this day that I missed this opportunity.

Otherwise, I am not terribly well qualified to answer this query as I have only been to the US once, but my knowledge does extend to the fact that train viewing hotpots cited in railfan magazines always state the radio frequencies to listen in to, so I assume that it is the normal thing for railfans to do to find out where trains are in the US.

As usual, an internet search with relevant words (I searched for 'Railfan Radio Frequencies') will do the trick.

Try this FAQ that I found:

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Railfan_Radio_FAQ

 

[Greenback]

Yes, I would definitely recommend Oakland over San Francisco for trains...maybe not for much else!

 

[mac]

Was on the east coast in October and took photos of the trains I travelled on at stations before or after the journey. If it was the start or end station the drivers would be out asking questions showing me round the cab so I could take photos, one driver in Washington if he didn't have to drive I think we would still be there, they were really friendly.

 

[rf_ioliver]

Not had any problems the very few times I've been in Boston or SF, *BUT*, my advice would be to contact the train company and ask permission in writing if possible and carry that letter around with you just in case you are stopped. Make yourself known to the station staff if any etc.

I've heard that in some places photography, parking your car etc will attract attention of the authorities.

t.

Ian

 

[LesS]

On several visits to US over many years I have never had a problem. Generally; and I stress generally; they are pretty laid back. Just follow normal precautions and don't tresspass.

In Chicago I had several enjoyable days by travelling out on one of the Metra services. The BNSF line to Aurora is a good one and stopping at one of the stations about midway out. LaGrange Road & Hinsdale are particularly good. There are time interval Metra services; Amtrack & successions of freights.

Some discretion MAY be necessary in New York. I had no probelms photographing the subway even with security guards looking on from the opposite platform. Some stations are heavy with police presence. It is advised to not photograph underground at Times Square, but even so I witnessed locals doing so and with tripods.

There is always a danger that a citizen will report a photographer as "suspicious behaviour" and call the police. I have even had this happen in a NSW country town. Some parts of Washington DC used to have issues but I have heard nothing now for several years.

 

[Genocide]

A recommendation would be to join this site:-

http://www.trainorders.com/

An excellent resource with a very friendly forum. It will provide a lot of the answers you need - and give you lots more ideas.

San Francisco - as above, go to Oakland but be aware that you can walk from safe to unpleasant areas in one block.
Atlanta - don't really know.
Austin - not on any very busy routes.
Dallas - Union Station is as good a place as any - all through routes pass through.
St Louis and Chicago - where do you want to start??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I should have added that scanners are legal, frequencies are readily available and they are used heavily by the railfan community.

Photography is understood, accepted and welcomed.

One thing I would say is that bashing - going for "red pen" - is NOT understood in the US. If you're tempted let the authorities know that you're a UK new engine desperado first. They do understand that this a very British fetish but can't grasp the concept at all...

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Thanks for the help guys.

Oakland looks very interesting, might see if I can pop across any day. We will be arriving into Jack London on the Coast Starlight, but it will probably be dark by 9pm.

Chicago I only have a single day in, although my current plan is to drive and drop off my rental car in Joliet and get the train from there into the city, relive the old Chicago Oddessy films.

 

[Genocide]

I should probably have added that as soon as you get to Austin you need to take your train head off anyway.

Its South by South West this week. Austin is the best and biggest place for music in the US all year round - I've done SbSW 4 times but you'll see - if you want to - some incredible bands in plenty of bars, often free.

 

[waynenm1]

Generally no issues, but obviously stay clear enough of the tracks so the train crew won't worry about hitting you. Remember there can be loose cargo, particularly from lumber and flat cars. the one real no-no is photographing in the subway with flash, as that can blind the engineer (as we call a train driver here in the states).

No equivalent to realtimetrains. Scanners legal and used by the more serious railfans.

San Francisco -- Embarcadero St in Oakland's Jack London Square has already been mentioned. This video will give you a good idea of the location, Substitue a horn for the whistle and freight cars for the passenger cars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGIaSMrXF3I

Atlanta
Austin, TX
Dallas
-- Don't know these, maybe Union Station in Dallas as somebody mentioned

St Louis -- Union Station has Amtrak, Metra commuter, and freight traffic. Amtrak and commuter trains go into Union Station in Chicago. Commuter train schedules on http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html

Chicago -- Heh, this would take a book! For a one day stay, suggest at least a short visit to the 12th St/Roosevelt Rd (both names used interchangeably) viaduct overlooking the south feed into Union Station where there are several hundred passenger movements per day, mostly commuter. You will likely see other people photographing at this spot. Just walk south down Canal St a few blocks after exiting Union Station to Canal (the river will be on your left when walking south). If you walk east down Roosevelt Rd. you will pass over the commuter tracks from both LaSalle St station and Millenium station, finally ending up at the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium which are located on the lakefront. Both of those are world class institutions and I would say the Shedd is definitely worth a visit if you have time. This area is now one of the safest in Chicago.

If you want, I can post scanner frequencies for the Chicago stations.

Have some good trips!
--
wf.

P.S. commuter schedules in Chicago:

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I should probably have added that as soon as you get to Austin you need to take your train head off anyway.

Actually I am there to visit COTA for the TUSCC race so might not even get into Austin itself.

Chicago -- Heh, this would take a book! For a one day stay, suggest at least a short visit to the 12th St/Roosevelt Rd (both names used interchangeably) viaduct overlooking the south feed into Union Station where there are several hundred passenger movements per day, mostly commuter. You will likely see other people photographing at this spot. Just walk south down Canal St a few blocks after exiting Union Station to Canal (the river will be on your left when walking south). If you walk east down Roosevelt Rd. you will pass over the commuter tracks from both LaSalle St station and Millenium station, finally ending up at the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium which are located on the lakefront. Both of those are world class institutions and I would say the Shedd is definitely worth a visit if you have time. This area is now one of the safest in Chicago.

Very handy, thanks.

 

[waynenm1]

Well, personally i would recommend the August TUSCC at Elkhart Lake. I haven't seen the Texas track but Elkhart Lake has always been one of my favorites. Besides, E.L. is within an a half day's drive of Chicago.

Also, if you are going to be in Arizona and can make it as far east as Albuquerque visitors are welcome on work days (Wed and Sat mornings) at the ATSF 2926 restoration site. That loco is even larger than the UP844 in the video I posted.

Cheers.
--
wf.

 

[DownSouth]

Well, personally i would recommend the August TUSCC at Elkhart Lake. I haven't seen the Texas track but Elkhart Lake has always been one of my favorites. Besides, E.L. is within an a half day's drive of Chicago.

COTA is an amazing track that is perfect for the live spectator. I went there for FIA V8 Supercars last year (the second ever FIA event there) and it was fantastic - every spot (even the pit straight grandstand) gives views of multiple corners, and for lesser events (i.e. not F1 or MotoGP) you can roam around just about everywhere except the premium reserved sections.

I haven't been to Road America but I have seen it on TV, the layout looks a little too spread out to have many areas seeing cars for more than about 15 seconds per lap - and the long laps would make for fewer passes at that.

The big draw for COTA is that United Sportscars is just the support act - once they're done in the morning the track will be cleaned up and all their gear shoved out of the pits for the 6hr/1000km main event with the big boys of the World Endurance Championship. I wish I was able to go to Austin for this event instead of last year's V8 weekend, although that would have the slight problem of me needing to pay for my own transport and ticket this time!

 

[waynenm1]

Elkhart Lake does indeed occupy a large area, but the cars get spread so there are usually a couple going by any given spot at any given time. I have only been to the new track as a spectator for the vintage races. My own experience there predates the new track. For a tight track (1.5 miles, 13 turns, right and left, and elevation changes) I preferred running at Waterford Hills near Detroit. Obligatory rail - Wisconsin has great scenery for rail photography. Somewhat east of Dallas there is the scenic Texas State Railroad, which is steam powered on the weekends (about the only scenic area in the whole state). AFAIR the ride on the T.S.R. is about 1-2 hours in each direction.
--
wf.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

I went to Atlanta about a year ago for a conference and was delighted to find that the railroad tracks burrowed right underneath the conference centre in the downtown, so was able to watch a procession of freights during lunch breaks. (The remaining Amtrak passenger station is out on a limb though, and the original downtown station is now a sorry wreck.)

It's also possible to photograph freight activity by taking the green or blue line of the local Marta subway towards Indian Creek for a couple of stops as it parallels one of the freight lines.