Trainwatching Sites
BALTIMORE -- CSX BAYVIEW YARD
From US-40/Pulaski Highway heading west from Rosedale, you will come to CSX's bridge which has BALTIMORE written across it. After you pass under the bridge, there will be a split where Pulaski Highway continues straight and Monument Street bears to the right. Bear right onto Monument Street and you will see Durrett Shepphard Steel immediately on your right. Turn right into the parking lot, and you will see the tracks to the far right.
This point is located in East Baltimore about 1 mile from the city/county line. The easiest place to park is in the Durrett Shepphard Steel parking lot. You are able to park directly in front of the tracks. This point is in grid 36A11 on ADC's Greater Baltimore Map. As you are looking at the tracks from the parking lot, the south end of the Philly Sub is the far 2 tracks. To the left are the tracks that lead through the city. To the right, the closest track leads south towards PennMary Yard. The other track heads into Bayview Yard.
There is really no great view of the yard except from above on I-895.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX/MARC -- BUSH STREET (August 2006)
From the front of the stadium heading west, make a left onto Warner Street and a right onto Bayard Street. Cross over Russell Street, and then you'll cross the tracks again. Take your first left onto Severn Street, and your next left onto Bush Street. As you cross the tracks again, you will see a parking lot on the right. This is a pretty popular spot. This point is in grid 43J3-K3 on ADC's Greater Baltimore Map.
As far as you can see to the left are the Mt. Winans Yards, and to the right is the city. These tracks are traveled heavily by both CSX and MARC.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX/MARC -- STADIUM
From I-95 in south central Baltimore, take exit 55 to Key Highway north. At Fort Avenue, take a left and go all the way to the tracks. You will have to turn right onto Race Street and run along the tracks until you get to Ostend Street. Make a left onto Ostend Street and before you would go over the bridge, make a left onto Sharp Street. You will cross over the tracks here and make a right onto Stockholm Street. You will then see a stadium on your right (ample parking) and a grade crossing to the left of the stadium. This point is in grids 43A1-A3, 43B3-B4 on ADC's Greater Baltimore Map.
To the right of the stadium is where the tracks lead into the city (MARC) and into the south end of the tunnel under the city. You can even go to the side of the stadium where these tracks are if you make a right onto Sharp Street and turn into the parking lot.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX GABLE AVENUE (August 2006)
From I-95, take exit 50, and go south on US-1Alternate/Caton Avenue. Take a left onto Washington Boulevard, and then take a right onto Gable Avenue. A little do-ahead map work will help you thru the Caton - Washington - Patapsco area. This point is in grids 42F6 on ADC's Greater Baltimore Map.
There are many tracks here, and you are looking from the north. Tracks are from the Old Main Line, the main lines south, and several sidings which also cross Washington Boulevard and head to south Baltimore.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX MARINE TERMINALS (September 2006)
There are probably easier ways to get to this location, but this one is pretty fool proof. Take exit 59 from I-95, and go west on Eastern Avenue, beyond I-895 to a left onto Ponca Street, to a right onto Boston Street. You'll cross a set of tracks (Canton Railroad), and should take your first left onto Newkirk Street.
Continue south on Newkirk, and you'll cross several sets of tracks. PennMary Yard is on your left, the General Motors Minivan plant [Webmaster's question: Is this plant still operational?] is to the left of the yard. On the right is NS's coal yard and tracks that lead into the marine terminals. There are many photo ops around here on both sides of Newkirk Street.
If you continued further west on Boston Street past the first set of tracks, about 1/4 mile west on Boston Street will be the NS grade crossing. This is fairly active with coal trains.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
[Further note: Since 9-11, terminal areas are very sensitive, indeed. You need to be sure not to trespass on any private or governmental concern's property here. Take all pix from public roads. Be smart and safe.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX MT. WINANS YARD (September 2006)
From I-95 heading north, take exit 51 to Washington Boulevard, but do not turn onto it. Go straight across to Hollins Ferry Road. Follow the latter around until you get to the tracks. There will be a convenience store called Mt. Winans Convenience Store. You can park anywhere around here. The yard will be on your right, and the city will be to the left.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BALTIMORE -- CSX PENNMARY YARD (August 2006)
Directions to this location are more difficult to write up than actually driving it. Here is one suggestion, although your Webmaster isn't remotely an expert. Take exit 58 from northbound I-95 to Dundalk Avenue. You may have to do a U-wie, but go back north on Dundalk to Eastern Avenue. Go west on Eastern, under I-895, and then take a left on Ponca. At Boston, take a left, cross the tracks, and then take a left to go south on Newkirk.
Continue south on Newkirk Street. You will cross several sets of tracks. PennMary Yard is on your left, the General Motors Minivan Plant [Webmaster's note: Is this plant still in operation?] is to the left of the yard. On the right is NS's coal yard, and tracks that lead into the Marine terminals. There are many photo opps around here on both sides of Newkirk Street. This point is in grid 36A11 on ADC's Greater Baltimore Map.
About 1/4 mile west of Newkirk Street via Boston Street, there is an active crossing of the NS tracks at grade. This is fairly busy with coal trains.
[Note well: This is mostly a reproduction of the data that was on Rob Carter's Baltimore railfanning site. The site has been dormant for years, and we are happy to include it here. However, several years have elapsed since the site was maintained, and Frograil cannot attest to the accuracy of the information presented. I would be delighted to have any updates or corrections you can add.]
BOWIE (August 2005)
From Bowie State University, take a left to go south on MD-197. After about 1/2 mile, take MD-564 West towards the tracks for about another mile. You'll come to a 3-way stop sign. Turning right will take you up and over the NEC. Instead, go straight, and you should immediately turn right into the Huntington Railroad Museum.
You're at grade at the NEC, and will see the Bowie interlocking tower and a red caboose. The tower guarded the junction of the Pennsylvania main line with it's Pope Creek Secondary Subdivision. The latter still sends coal trains to the south, but the tower no longer controls movements.
Park and walk to the tracks. To your right is a slight embankment that backs up to the overpass. From this location, you have an unobstructed, slightly elevated view (looking south) of the NEC for over 1/4 mile. From the time you see a train coming from the south, you have all of 20 seconds to get ready, so be alert! There is no unobstructed view to the north. As far as photos are concerned, this is definitely a morning location.
MARC traffic is heavy in the morning and afternoon weekday rush hours, and you'll probably see an average of one Amtrak train per hour.
Thanks to Matt Rivers for this contribution to Frograil.
BOWIE -- MARC STATION
The "Bowie State" Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) station is located in Bowie, and is on the electrified Amtrak Northeast Corridor (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR) mainline. Get to the station by driving south from Laurel or north from Bowie on MD 197. MD 197 goes up and over the tracks right at the station, and there is excellent, free parking on either side of the tracks. No food or other services are available at the station, which is nothing more that two long platforms with small commuter shelters on each.
There are almost no trees behind either platform, so early morning/late afternoon shadows are not a problem for pix. As is the case with the vast majority of the mainline, there are mature trees on virtually every inch of the right of way, so the best place for pix that I know of in the area is, indeed, from the station platforms. You can get really good pix of MARC diesels and electrics at the station, although many MARC trains zoom thru without stopping. The speed limit is 110 MPH thru here, so Amtrak and MARC thru trains are a one shot (if you're lucky) deal. You will want to use the fastest film you have. [NOTE: These trains are blazingly fast, and make virtually no noise until they are very, very close to you. Do not, for a second, get lazy on those platforms -- keep alert at all times.
MARC schedules 5 stops between 7-9AM, and 3 thru trains during the same period. The same numbers apply between about 4:30-7:30PM. One nice thing about this operation is that there are MARC trains running between Baltimore and Washington all day on this line, so even if you can't be there during rush hours, you will still be able to see 1 or 2 MARC trains in a 1-2 hour period. You will average about one Amtrak per hour, but that's a guess, and you'll want to check your timetable.
BWI AIRPORT (March 27, 2000)
From I-95, take I-195 east via exit 47 to south on MD-179 at exit 1 from I-195. There are good signs to the Amtrak/MARC station. Take a right at the second light, Amtrak Way, and follow this all the way to the end, as it makes a loop around the parking garage and thru the station.
What and where is this place? Years ago, there were small airports around most cities, and in the Baltimore area, Friendship International emerged as the biggest, as it also drew customers from the northern part of the DC area. Located between Baltimore and DC, it is in one of the fastest growing areas of the country. For many years now, the airport has been known as Baltimore-Washington International, but virtually everyone calls it BWI. Like the area surrounding it, BWI has become a huge, fast growing entity.
Parking is not free here, and is in the neighborhood of about $1 and hour or $6 all day. You might want to consider taking the train to the location, rather than paying for parking. This is Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR), and it's extremely busy. Almost all MARC and Amtrak trains stop here, with the exception of express Metroliners and a few Northeast Direct trains. Long distance trains (the Crescent and the "Silvers" also do not stop here.
There are two platforms: Northbound (closest to the station) and southbound (other side of the tracks, accessible via a skywalk over the rails. You'll pretty much have to shoot from these platforms. The northbound platform is kind of short, so shots on track 3 are a little tough, as trains pull past the end of the platform, but standing on the southbound platform gives you great shots of stopped trains on track 1, as this platform is twice the length of the other one. While not a perfect place for pix, it's one of the few places on the NEC in Maryland where trains are stopped, and you don't have to try to shoot them as they zoom by at 110-120 mph.
[NOTE WELL: As with all NEC locations, you must be 100% alert at all times here. Trains are very quiet and extremely fast -- they are upon you before you know a train is even coming. This is NOT a good place to bring your small children or grandchildren.]
We owe thanks to Chris Denbow of Maryland for this information.
CUMBERLAND -- BALTIMORE STREET (June 28, 2000)
Maybe the easiest place to watch trains is downtown, where the mainline crosses Baltimore Street. From I-68/US-40 westbound downtown, take exit 43 to West Harrison Street. Go east on Harrison to dead end at Queen City Drive, and turn left (compass north). Drive to Baltimore Street and find a place to park. All Grafton and Sand Patch traffic flows thru here, and there's a helper station. There is also a whole lot of automobile traffic, so be real careful, and chose a spot wisely.
There is plenty of shopping in the area, so your family can be entertained while you do your thing.
LODGING In the center of town, just north of the CSX main line, the Holiday Inn has a motel that only railfans could love. Ask for a room on the track side of the hotel, but don't blame me if your spouse is ready to kill you the next morning. From the corner of Harrison and Queen City Drive, turn right, away from Baltimore Street. The hotel will about 2 blocks towards the interstate.
Thanks to Martin Boyask of Great Britain for this data.
CUMBERLAND -- C&O PARKING LOT
Go east on MD-51 about 3/4 of a mile past Mexico Road (alas, no longer a railfan location). Take the next right into Pittsburgh Plate Glass SE, and go over the tracks, and then take the first left. This will lead you into the C&O National Historical Park parking lot.
The CSX Cumberland Subdivision goes over the canal and the North Branch of the Potomac River here. If you go past the C&O parking lot on the right and take a left under the overpass you just went over, you'll be directly beside the tracks facing west. The old Western Maryland Railway bridge goes over the CSX tracks at this location. There are good sight lines east and west. The North Branch signal (BA 172.6) is just to the east after the Potomac Rive Bridge.
We'd like to thank Dirck Harris for this railfan location.
CUMBERLAND -- HELMSETTER'S CURVE
Going west out of Cumberland on old US 40, just at the city limits, at a camera shop, is a nice photo location.
Leave Cumberland on US 40 west. Bear right onto MD 36 at the traffic light. You'll come to the Cash Valley Road in about 2 miles. Turn left onto Cash Valley Road, and follow it about 3-4 miles. This will put you at the famous Helmsetter's Curve. The best photo spot there is to skirt the cemetery which adjoins the railroad track, and view the trains from the bank next to the tracks.
[NOTE: This data submitted by Ed Mullan.]
CUMBERLAND -- OFFUTT STREET (June 28, 2000)
From the center of town, go south on MD-51, Industrial Boulevard. At the large intersection with Virginia Avenue, take a right (south) on Virginia, go under the yard throat, past the interesting, historic B&O YMCA, and take the first left onto Offutt Street. On your right are the roundhouse/shops areas of the Cumberland Terminal. In recent years, the workload here has gone up, somewhat at the expense of other facilities.
Thanks to Martin Boyask of Great Britain for this data.
[From the webmaster: There is a large parking area, but the whole complex is rather cramped for space. Viewing is usually poor, and, while you can get maybe a few shots here, I personally doesn't recommend the site, other than a quick drive up, take the cherries off the tree, and depart. To be honest with you, I don't even stop there on the few times I get to visit the Queen City.]
CUMBERLAND -- TROY STREET (June 28, 2000)
For good yard and thru action viewing, take Industrial Boulevard (MD-51) south. Cross Virginia Avenue, and then take your first right (south) onto Troy Street. Drive around to the back of the Advance Auto Parts store parking lot, and you're on the east side of the yard. You're across the yard from the engine facility here, and are just south of the yard throat. You can see lots of action here, but you do run the chance of having your line of sight blocked by standing cars.
Thanks to Martin Boyask of Great Britain for this data.
CUMBERLAND -- WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILWAY
This is a short line/tourist line which is quite popular in western Maryland. You can reach them at 1-800-TRAIN-50. This info has been submitted by Ed Mullan.
FREDERICK (November 23, 1999)
Frederick is one of those strange places which pop up on the railroad map from time to time. It's kind of a boom town now, and occupies a prominent spot on the Maryland highway map. However, if you superimpose a railroad map over central Maryland, you'll be hard-pressed to even find Frederick. The problem is geography: The easiest place to build a railroad was south of town, and Frederick has always been pretty much a stub-end railroad town. That said, what is here, after all?
The Baltimore and Ohio stations, both freight and passenger, still stand, and are worth a visit by all of us who collect station pix. The passenger station is at the corner of Market Street and All Saints Street, while the freight station can be found on Carroll Street, about one block south of Patrick Street.
MARC now runs directly into Frederick, so we'll have to see how ridership and support grow over time.
Updates and new info courtesy of Joshua Moldover.
HAGERSTOWN -- CSX AND MUSEUM AREA (October 4, 1999)
The CSX engine facility, wye and YD tower are located adjacent to the Hagerstown Railroad Museum, at the intersection of Burhans Boulevard (US-11) and the railroad tracks. Burhans Blvd can be reached by taking Exit 6 from I-81, and going east on US-40, which will become Washington Avenue. Parking is available in the museum lot. NOTE WELL: The area back by the former roundhouse is prone to sinkholes, so do not venture past the wye without speaking to people at the museum first.
History/station buffs should know that the former Western Maryland Railway station is now the police station. It is located just north of Washington Street (US-40).
A tip of the hat to Joshua Moldover for this information.
HALETHORPE -- NORTHEAST CORRIDOR (July 26, 1999)
From I-95 south of Baltimore, go east on MD-100 (towards Glen Burnie). Then, go north on US-1 thru Elkridge to the station on the right. Stay on US-1, not US-1ALT. This is the Northeast Corridor (AMT, ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR, and traffic is very heavy. Traffic is MARC and AMT. This is a tight railfan area, with EXTREMELY fast trains. There is an elaborate crosswalk over the tracks, with several layers of stories, and some interesting photos are possible. On the east side of the tracks, there is a small, non-fenced area under the road overpass, which would provide some early AM shots.
This is a dangerous place, with lots happening -- including US-1, the railroad, the street overpass, airplanes from BWI, etc. Be aware and be alert. This is a very popular commuter station, so the large parking lot will probably be full before 0700, so arrive early.
ODENTON(August 13, 1998)
From I-95 between Baltimore and Washington, take exit 38, MD 32 towards and thru Ft. Meade. Follow the MARC signs once you get past Ft. Meade. You will exit at MD 175, and should have no trouble following the signs to the Odenton MARC station. There is excellent, free parking on either side of the tracks. No food or other services are available at the station, which is nothing more that two long platforms with small commuter shelters on each. There is good lighting in the morning on the south end of the east platform, and from anywhere on the west platform in the afternoon.
See the Bowie write-up for railroad traffic info. Also, check out both MARC and Amtrak schedules for commuter frequency. Incidentally, there is a spur at the northern end of the east platform, and you may get lucky and see a local working the spur.
PERRYVILLE (March 3, 2000)
Drive approximately 40 miles north of Baltimore on I-95, until you cross the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace. On the Perryville side of the bridge, take the Perryville exit, and bear right. Go down the hill and straight across US 40. Proceed straight ahead until you reach a "T" intersection, at which you will turn right. One block under the railroad bridge, you will find yourself between 2 bridges -- turn left into the railroad station parking lot. This is the MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter) station. After about 5PM, the parking lot is nearly empty.
ACTION This is where the former Pennsylvania main lines from Harrisburg and Philadelphia met to head south to Baltimore and Washington. Today, expect to see 33 high speed Amtrak passenger trains daily. MARC passenger trains, currently 4 morning and 4 evening movements, provide good photo opportunities, at considerably less than 110 MPH! A few NS freights come off the Harrisburg line to head north to Wilmington, or south to Baltimore and Washington, but they are restricted to a window of 10PM - 6AM. The south leg of the wye (Harrisburg - Baltimore) borders the Perryville station parking lot, so it is possible to get good photos here.
AREA INFORMATION
There is good lodging at the I-95 Perryville exit. There are older, less expensive motels on US 40.
There is a Denny's at the I-95 Perryville exit, and a very GOOD Italian restaurant one block from the station: "Ercole's".
There are oodles of outlet stores at the I-95 Perryville exit.
There is a small railroad museum, which Harvey Lawrence helped found, in the station at Perryville. The museum is only open, of course, when local folks are there.
NOTE: This excellent guide to Perryville is courtesy of Harvey Lawrence, now living out in Missouri, and has been updated by Lee King.
ROCKVILLE (December, 2002)
From I-270 west of downtown, take the exit for MD-28, West Montgomery Avenue, and go east into town. At the intersection with MD-355 north about 2 blocks to Church Street, and take a right to go to the tracks. The station serves Amtrak, CSX (Metropolitan Subdivision), MARC and Metro. Parking is available free during the weekends, but you'll miss the MARC action. During weekdays, you will usually find parking near the restored B&O station nearby.
This data was contributed by Dan Hayes. Thanks, Dan.
SHARPSBURG (August 2000)
Located on the NS Hagerstown, Maryland - Front Royal, Virginia, main line, there is a good photo spot about 3/4 mile west of town. Follow MD-34 until you see an old, white station building on the right side of the road. This is the Antietam Model Railroad Museum, and there's ample parking space next to it. This location is at the crest of a slight hill, affording good views of north- and southbound trains. A signal to the south at the approach to the crossing of the Potomac River will alert you of trains.
Besides train watching, this area is the general site of one of the most horrible battles in our Nation's history, which is variously referred to as "Antietam" or "Sharpsburg." A must-see is the National Park Service's Antietam National Battlefield. It will make your heart ache, no matter whether you're from the north or south. The nearby Shepardsville, West Virginia, historical district is also well worth a visit.
This data comes to us courtesy of Markolf Gudjons of Aachen, Germany.