USA Exchange Program

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I dont have time to read the whole thread, but I'll throw in my suggestion. As a Sacramento native, I say go to Sacramento. Our Railroad Museum is one of the largest in the state. Plus you can see the UP and Amtrak going by the museum. Then travel to Roseville, to see their railyard. I love it there. Tons of UP action.

Matt

 

[Xengeance]

Well guys, since he said he's going to Omaha, I doubt that any place else is helpfull at the moment = ) Chris, I do belive there is a fairly large Class 1 Railyard somewhere in Omaha. I remember a railfan friend of mine drove there, and various other places across the US. I'd ask when you get there, no hurt in that!

Have fun here Chris!

Take care,

Ryan:wave:

Don't forget UP HQ is in North Plate (roughly located about the dead-center of Nebraska). Bailey yard is the largest classification yard in the world - if it's shipped by rail the US, it goes through Bailey. That's about as Class I Railroad as you can possibly get.

A location somewhere near the Roseville yard in Roseville, California (about 20 minute's drive from Sacramento) would be a good second choice. Most of the UP freight bound for the west coast comes from Bailey Yard to the yard in Roseville, and then distributed to their respective local destinations. Plus the light rail for Sacramento goes fairly far north towards Roseville and can drop you off right at the Calif. Railroad Museum/Amtrak Depot there. I believe you can also catch the ACE train from there and ride it all the way to Dublin, terminus for the Bay Area Rapid Transit system (or, BART, as we refer to it locally) if you're in the mood for some urban light-rail through Oakland, San Fransisco (which also has it's iconic cable cars, as well) and surrounding environs.

 

[WAB1189]

Why not Chicago, Illinois? It will give him a taste of all the Class 1's and is busy as all get out.

Jason

Crap I didn't see there was a page 2 to this and someone had already said Chicago. Nevermind then. lol

 

[gary6204]

how about Tacoma Washington or Puyallup Washington? Tacoma has both union pacific and bnsf and the Puyallup line i think is opperated by union pacific

 

[Ronayne]

I'm thinking of Chicago, as it has class 1 railroads and Amtrak in it.

 

[evan123]

how about Tacoma Washington or Puyallup Washington? Tacoma has both union pacific and bnsf and the Puyallup line i think is opperated by union pacific

Tacoma also has a very high crime rate.

 

[SPNGTyler]

I'm thinking of Chicago, as it has class 1 railroads and Amtrak in it.

That would be out of all the suggestions in my mind the best place to go. Becouse unlike most cities that have 1 mabie 2 class one railroads, Chicago has all 5 I think. That and St.Louis are a hard choice for me. Id rather choose St.Louis, but that is becouse I live in Texas and I am used to the heat. St.Louis and Southern Illinois get HOT in the summer time. Chicago not as much.
As for Amtrack Chicago is one of the buisier ones. You have the Emipre Builder, Texas Eagle, The Cheif, and whatever other trains that go east all go to Chicago. Not to mention all the commuter trains. And metra. Lots of passenger traffic.

Hope you have fun whereever you go.

 

[robbiehanson]

I'm in St. Louis at a medium sized college with an abnormally high academic rating--PM me if you might end up here and I'll tell you what I know about railfanning and whatnot here.

 

[davesnow]

Jonesboro, Arkansas (pop. 60,000+) has both a BNSF and Union Pacific yard here. Plus two UP/BNSF diamond crossings in the area. I also see CSX, NS, and CN run through here. Jonesboro also has a large industrial area where a lot of switching goes on.

20 miles away NW in Walnut Ridge, Amtrak stops every morning to pick up & drop off passengers. Right next to there is another small town, Hoxie with still another UP/BNSF Diamond.

18 miles NE is Paragould, with switching yards, and the big American Railcar Industry where they maintain and repaint railcars. NE of Paragould is another American Railcar Industry plant where they manufacture tank cars.

Yes, there is a LOT or rail activity in this area! I'm glad there is!!