Montana Rail Link's 4th Subdivision
The railroad's main route between Missoula, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho, offers gorgeous scenery throughout its 212-mile stretch. The railroad runs along the Clark Fork River for much of the distance and crosses it 10 times. You'll find BNSF Railway traffic, along with MRL's Gas Local, which hauls gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel, and the Paradise Local, which works businesses between Thompson Falls and Cedars.
Tom Danneman photo
The railroad's main route between Missoula, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho, offers gorgeous scenery throughout its 212-mile stretch. The railroad runs along the Clark Fork River for much of the distance and crosses it 10 times. You'll find BNSF Railway traffic, along with MRL's Gas Local, which hauls gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel, and the Paradise Local, which works businesses between Thompson Falls and Cedars.
Tom Danneman photo
Harrisburg, Pa.
Just outside of Harrisburg, Pa., you'll find the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River. The stone-arch bridge is located on Norfolk Southern's busy Pittsburgh Line. You can get a great shot right from Main Street on the west end, but if you don't mind some hiking, you'll be rewarded with awesome views from the hillside on the east end.
Tom Danneman photo
Just outside of Harrisburg, Pa., you'll find the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River. The stone-arch bridge is located on Norfolk Southern's busy Pittsburgh Line. You can get a great shot right from Main Street on the west end, but if you don't mind some hiking, you'll be rewarded with awesome views from the hillside on the east end.
Tom Danneman photo
Siberia, Calif.
One of BNSF Railways' busiest corridors traverses this desert hot spot, which is known for its elevated curves. A former Santa Fe Transcon route, it's loaded with intermodal trains running between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Drew Halverson photo
One of BNSF Railways' busiest corridors traverses this desert hot spot, which is known for its elevated curves. A former Santa Fe Transcon route, it's loaded with intermodal trains running between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Drew Halverson photo
Albemarle, N.C.
Albemarle is one of many small towns along Norfolk Southern's N Line, and features tree tunnels, S-curves, steep grades and jointed rail. Be sure to catch te weekday-only "Yadkin Local," which departs Salisbury and serves industries to the east, making for a relaxed chase along U.S. Route 52.
Drew Halverson photo
Albemarle is one of many small towns along Norfolk Southern's N Line, and features tree tunnels, S-curves, steep grades and jointed rail. Be sure to catch te weekday-only "Yadkin Local," which departs Salisbury and serves industries to the east, making for a relaxed chase along U.S. Route 52.
Drew Halverson photo
Glenogle, B.C.
This forgotten gem lies just a few miles west of fan-favorite Golden along Canadian Pacific's Mountain Subdivision. Photos now require a hike, due to recent Trans-Canada Highway projects, but rail traffic is plentiful and the roar of the Kicking Horse River and rugged surroundings make it well worth the effort.
Drew Halverson photo
This forgotten gem lies just a few miles west of fan-favorite Golden along Canadian Pacific's Mountain Subdivision. Photos now require a hike, due to recent Trans-Canada Highway projects, but rail traffic is plentiful and the roar of the Kicking Horse River and rugged surroundings make it well worth the effort.
Drew Halverson photo
Indianapolis
Urban train-watching opportunities abound in Indiana's capital city. Watch CSX trains snake past Indiana University Tower near Lucas Oil Stadium or check out CSX's Avon Yard, located west of the city. You'll find plenty of action from Amtrak and Indiana Rail Road trains, too.
Drew Halverson photo
Urban train-watching opportunities abound in Indiana's capital city. Watch CSX trains snake past Indiana University Tower near Lucas Oil Stadium or check out CSX's Avon Yard, located west of the city. You'll find plenty of action from Amtrak and Indiana Rail Road trains, too.
Drew Halverson photo
Bear Mountain, N.Y.
Railroads follow both sides of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain, making for great photos ops, especially where the river squeezes through the Appalachian Mountains. On the east bank, you'll see Metro-North, Amtrak and CSX trains; CSX's busy northern New Jersey-Chicago freight line follows the west bank.
Matt Van Hattem photo
Railroads follow both sides of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain, making for great photos ops, especially where the river squeezes through the Appalachian Mountains. On the east bank, you'll see Metro-North, Amtrak and CSX trains; CSX's busy northern New Jersey-Chicago freight line follows the west bank.
Matt Van Hattem photo
Cisco, B.C.
At this mountainous location, two main lines the follow the Fraser River from suburban Vancouver change sides, with a steel cantilever arch bridge carrying Canadian National's tracks over the river and Canadian Pacific's lower river crossing. Both roads operate bidirectionally through both the Fraser and Thompson River canyons.
Matt Van Hattem photo
At this mountainous location, two main lines the follow the Fraser River from suburban Vancouver change sides, with a steel cantilever arch bridge carrying Canadian National's tracks over the river and Canadian Pacific's lower river crossing. Both roads operate bidirectionally through both the Fraser and Thompson River canyons.
Matt Van Hattem photo
New York City
The New York City Subway's 7 Line to Flushing is one of the best rides in the city. After scurrying beneath 42nd Street and the East River, the 7 train emerges into daylight by Long Island Rail Road's Hunterspoint Avenue station in Queens. Soon afterward, the 7 train soars over Amtrak's Sunnyside Yard and a few stops later, calls at Woodside, where Long Island trains can be shot against the New York city skyline. Closer to Manhattan, the Lowery or Bliss Street stations offer great views of subway trains and the Empire State Building.
Matt Van Hattem photo
The New York City Subway's 7 Line to Flushing is one of the best rides in the city. After scurrying beneath 42nd Street and the East River, the 7 train emerges into daylight by Long Island Rail Road's Hunterspoint Avenue station in Queens. Soon afterward, the 7 train soars over Amtrak's Sunnyside Yard and a few stops later, calls at Woodside, where Long Island trains can be shot against the New York city skyline. Closer to Manhattan, the Lowery or Bliss Street stations offer great views of subway trains and the Empire State Building.
Matt Van Hattem photo
Perryville, Md.
This century-old bridge between Perryville and Havre de Grace is used by Amtrak Acela Express trains, as well as MARC commuter and Norfolk Southern freight trains.
George Hamlin photo
This century-old bridge between Perryville and Havre de Grace is used by Amtrak Acela Express trains, as well as MARC commuter and Norfolk Southern freight trains.
George Hamlin photo
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Union Terminal is an urban train-watching oasis, with virtually all CSX and NS freight traffic in the region funneling down to a pair of bridges across the Ohio River. You can watch the action from the Cincinnati Railroad Club's Tower A, atop the former Terminal, which is now the city's Museum Center.
George Hamlin photo
Cincinnati Union Terminal is an urban train-watching oasis, with virtually all CSX and NS freight traffic in the region funneling down to a pair of bridges across the Ohio River. You can watch the action from the Cincinnati Railroad Club's Tower A, atop the former Terminal, which is now the city's Museum Center.
George Hamlin photo
Dorval, Quebec
The town of Dorval has separate stations - located adjacent to Montreal's international airport - that are used by VIA Rail and Montreal's commuter-rail agency, on the adjacent CN and CP lines. You'll find lots of commuter activity on weekdays, but VIA and freight activity are plentiful seven days a week.
George Hamlin photo
The town of Dorval has separate stations - located adjacent to Montreal's international airport - that are used by VIA Rail and Montreal's commuter-rail agency, on the adjacent CN and CP lines. You'll find lots of commuter activity on weekdays, but VIA and freight activity are plentiful seven days a week.
George Hamlin photo
Chicago Race Track
BNSF's triple-tracked Aurora Sub is home to a number of popular locations in the western Chicago suburbs, including LaGrange, Western Springs, Hinsdale and Downers Grove. The route features freight traffic - including intermodal, manifests, coal and crude oil - as well as Metra commuter trains and Amtrak long-distance and corridor trains.
George Hamlin
BNSF's triple-tracked Aurora Sub is home to a number of popular locations in the western Chicago suburbs, including LaGrange, Western Springs, Hinsdale and Downers Grove. The route features freight traffic - including intermodal, manifests, coal and crude oil - as well as Metra commuter trains and Amtrak long-distance and corridor trains.
George Hamlin
Foley Overlook
Located west of Fairhope, Pa., on CSX's Keystone Subdivision on Sand Patch Grade, this spot provides a view of the former Baltimore & Ohio mainline as it crosses Wills Creek. The lighting superb for photographing trains in both directions from early morning until early afternoon.
Alex Mayes photo
Located west of Fairhope, Pa., on CSX's Keystone Subdivision on Sand Patch Grade, this spot provides a view of the former Baltimore & Ohio mainline as it crosses Wills Creek. The lighting superb for photographing trains in both directions from early morning until early afternoon.
Alex Mayes photo
Harpers Ferry, W. Va.
The platforms at the Harpers Ferry Amtrak station provide clear views of the west portal of CSX's tunnel and the bridges over the Potomac River. The double-track line that passes the station is the Cumberland Subdivision, which features approximately 25 CSX trains daily, plus Amtrak's Capitol Limited and four MARC commuter trains on weekdays. Lighting for westbound trains emerging from the tunnel is best mid- to late-afternoon.
Alex Mayes photo
The platforms at the Harpers Ferry Amtrak station provide clear views of the west portal of CSX's tunnel and the bridges over the Potomac River. The double-track line that passes the station is the Cumberland Subdivision, which features approximately 25 CSX trains daily, plus Amtrak's Capitol Limited and four MARC commuter trains on weekdays. Lighting for westbound trains emerging from the tunnel is best mid- to late-afternoon.
Alex Mayes photo
Columbia River Gorge
BNSF's Fallbridge Subdivision, which runs along the northern shore of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, offers countless scenic spots to watch and photograph trains. One of our favorites is Horsethief Lake State Park, across the river from The Dalles, Ore., where BNSF crosses the lake on a causeway. Viewing is best from an overlook near the parking lot.
Alex Mayes photo
BNSF's Fallbridge Subdivision, which runs along the northern shore of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, offers countless scenic spots to watch and photograph trains. One of our favorites is Horsethief Lake State Park, across the river from The Dalles, Ore., where BNSF crosses the lake on a causeway. Viewing is best from an overlook near the parking lot.
Alex Mayes photo
