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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Jul 31, 2013 12:54:45 GMT -8
Well it is that LOVELY time of year again! My club is heading to Fostoria Ohio next week and I am mad excited as always! I can't find any hobby shops in the area so I was wondering if anyone here knows of any in the Fostoria area, Then in the Altoona, PA area and LASTLY in the Enola, PA area. It would be cool if I meet some of you on my trip as well! I will be easy to find too, Look for a black guy next to the triple diamonds in Fostoria. LOL I plan on making a bunch of videos of trains, the family and whatever else seems interesting. I will combine them into city by city videos too. The best part of the trip is, Adarius is coming!! The last club trip to Ohio I went on was in 2009 with Loretta and we had mad fun. Now that Adarius is a full out Train fan he is going to have a blast!! he does not even know what is coming up in 5 days!! If you are in any of the cities or close by, come see us! Here is the club trip plan
August 5, Monday- Heading straight out to fostoria at 12pm and will be there at 10pm that night
August 6, Tuesday - Start railfanning all day (7am-maybe 6pm) at the Amtrak Station (May head to Deshler, Oh that day or the next) - Eating out at Bob Evans restaurant with the other 11 club members and my family.
August 7, Wednesday - Railfanning at the Amtrak station until the early afternoon then heading south to Marion, OH before heading east to Altoona, PA but we will be in Altoona, PA by 11pm to the Best Western Hotel.
August 8 Thursday - Railfanning at Altoonas Train Station in the morning, up to Horseshoe Curve that afternoon, then to Galitzin tunnel and Cresson, PA
August 9, Friday - Railfanning in the morning to the afternoon in Altoona, PA then driving to Enola, PA by evening. Probably do some late night railfanning in Enola at the yard.
August 10, Saturday - Spend all morning to the early afternoon (2-4pm) at the LOVELY Rockville Bridge. Then that evening we will be heading back here to our Expensive a*ss State of Connecticut.
Look out for OFF THE HOOK railfanning videos upon the return trip. I just can't wait to see Prince Adarius' face filled with excitement and joy soon! PRICELESS!
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Post by roadkill on Jul 31, 2013 16:36:28 GMT -8
If you are anywhere near Defiance there's a decent shop in town.
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Post by atsfan on Jul 31, 2013 17:40:20 GMT -8
Not much at Rockville except long range shots. Lots to see between Enola and Altoona though.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 1, 2013 2:15:38 GMT -8
August 7, Wednesday - Railfanning at the Amtrak station until the early afternoon then heading south to Marion. ----------------------- As a friendly heads up Marion can be one or two hours of "rail watching" instead of train watching or it can run hot.
Why is that?
Since the breakup of CR Marion not as busy as it once was---before the breakup you could see 60-70 trains in 12 hours.I use to go there every weekend without fail..Now I only go once or maybe twice a year.
Now then..While in Marion you gotta try the Walleye fish dinner at Shovel Inn located right next to the station.
I might drift over to Fostoria(42 miles) or Marion( 17 miles)just to meet you..
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Post by Gary P on Aug 1, 2013 2:44:40 GMT -8
Sounds like a great trip Al. Wish I was closer so I could meet you and your little train buddy - Adarius! I'll actually be headed to the Buffalo NY area for an offshore boat poker run. My brother and I enter every year.
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platec
Full Member
The object of nostalgia is further away than it appears
Posts: 121
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Post by platec on Aug 1, 2013 4:21:35 GMT -8
Hey Al, Sounds like great trip, give my best to the guys (at least that way they'll know I'm still alive!).
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 1, 2013 6:45:43 GMT -8
Enjoy the trip. My wife and I have been to Fostoria 3 times, even our 10th wedding anniversary was spent there. They have started doing some work on the railfan park there since we were there last. Deshler is also interesting and between Fostoria and Deshler is CSX's new North Baltimore intermodal yard. With remote control SD40-2s The last time I was at Deshler there was a small building by the parking area on the SW segment of the diamond that had a scanner going inside loud enough to be heard.
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Post by fredmoehrle on Aug 1, 2013 8:45:40 GMT -8
There was a small Mom & Pop shop near the Iron Triangle. Haven't looked for it in a couple years. I think it's around the corner from the Whippy Dip ice cream stand. The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society has a Facebook page entitled "Fostoria Rail Park". The email newsletter also said their working on a web page. That was back in their 23 May email, so maybe a look up on line will help. I got their info package back in early May at the Durand MI RR flea market, and it has a nice city map with lot's of local attractions. Fred
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Aug 1, 2013 10:04:20 GMT -8
I am not sure 100% that Marion, OH is on the plans this year. I know it was in 2009 but they may have decided to abandon that one. I remember driving east from Fostoria in 2009 and CSX was making that huge intermodal yard. It was only a huge LONG open field at that time but I can see by the pictures it is operating now. Maybe we will stop by there on the way to Deshler. My son has no clue what is in store for him in less than a week. That is cool!
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Post by atsfan on Aug 3, 2013 7:28:16 GMT -8
Let us know how Fostoria is nowadays please.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 3, 2013 8:44:45 GMT -8
Let us know how Fostoria is nowadays please. I can tell you first hand Fostoria is as busy as ever..The Rail Park(located across from F Tower) should be finish in September.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 3, 2013 8:46:46 GMT -8
OK thanks. I had heard mixed stories. One included local cops chasing everyone off.......
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Post by atsfan on Aug 3, 2013 9:20:26 GMT -8
I hope you don't run into these guys Monster..........
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Post by Brakie on Aug 3, 2013 10:10:47 GMT -8
OK thanks. I had heard mixed stories. One included local cops chasing everyone off....... Not that I know of..Most railfans gather at the old Amtrak(exB&O) station area and the police doesn't bother them..
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 4, 2013 7:06:01 GMT -8
I've been to Fostoria several times and never have even seen a police officer drive by let along give anyone a hard time. Fostoria is heavily invested in making railfans feel welcome and in creating a pleasant and safe place for them. On the other hand I have heard, and it's mentioned in their handouts, that the CSX is very serious about people staying off of their property in the area of the tower at the diamond. That said if anyone goes to Fostoria there are plenty of good, safe places to view trains. There is no need for foolish or careless behavior. Check out this web site and tell me how welcome you think you are to visit Fostoria. www.fostoriairontriangle.com/When in Fostoria there is a good chance you will meet Ms. Ellen Gatrell mentioned on the website. She is a fantastic ambassador for the City and has been a driving force behind much being done there. She is often out and around the area handing out information and making people feel welcome.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 4, 2013 7:11:33 GMT -8
good to hear. I usually find the guys saying cops are crawling all over are, at best, exagerrating. Of course then there is the guy who has to blatantly tresspass and be stupid........
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Post by atsfan on Aug 4, 2013 7:46:32 GMT -8
I see the NS line north and south. And the CSX line east to west. Is the line that used to be further north in town (heads off to the North East) still in an active? Fostoria is wise to attract railfans. Money into the town.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 4, 2013 8:35:07 GMT -8
I see the NS line north and south. And the CSX line east to west. Is the line that used to be further north in town (heads off to the North East) still in an active? Fostoria is wise to attract railfans. Money into the town. Huh? CSX runs East/West on the old B&O and North & South on the old C&O.NS runs East/West(actually NE to SW) on the old NKP Ft.Wayne line. As far as I know that's accounts for all of the main line track in Fostoria. I think you mean the old NYC tracks to Sandusky...Those tracks been gone for years.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 4, 2013 9:40:06 GMT -8
Yes the track on the old map.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 4, 2013 14:01:42 GMT -8
Al, hope you have a great trip! Here are some pointers to help you and your club group...
Fostoria cops are very friendly to railfans and you won't have any problems unless you: 1) Walk down beside F Tower (where CSX will run you off) 2) Have a NS officer find you standing on their tracks
Any rumors of police being unfriendly are generally made to keep certain people from showing up there...
1) Expect 80-120 trains per 24 hours, ~60% CSX ex-B&O line (or connecting to/from that), ~20% NS, ~20% CSX ex-C&O line 2) When NS does get signal to cross through Fostoria (CSX controls all crossings and only gives NS signal when there is a break in CSX traffic and nothing near on either CSX line) it is very common to have a NS meet 3) It is not uncommon for NS trains on outskirts of town waiting 1-3 hours for a signal through Fostoria 4) A fairly common practice has 3 CSX trains going at same time - Toledo/Willard train on northeast connector, Toledo/Chicago(or New Baltimore or Cincinnati) train on northwest connector, while 3rd CSX train passing through (EB or WB) on southernmost ex-B&O track 5) CSX ex-C&O line local, which uses connectors from the ex-C&O line to south to access the ex-B&O, usually has many scrap cars and runs with a caboose (frequently a Chessie C27A bay window, or CSX ex-C&O safety slogan wide vision) generally midday 6) NS runs several locals each day to the ADM elevator and other companies just west of town (and high hood SD40-2s have been the power of choice for more than a decade) 7) Don't be surprised to see a lot of BNSF and UP run through power on coal trains (DEEX & PNJX trains), auto trains (including solid AutoMax trains), and mixed freights (Q360 and Q380 series trains)
Have a great trip!
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Aug 4, 2013 16:29:48 GMT -8
I saw the video of the guy being stopped by police & Railroad personnel in south Carolina. I could not stop giggling at their southern accents. They kept saying the words "Yaw'll" and "Go'in". It was funny man.
Well I am less than 12 hours away from hitting the road for the 10 hour drive out to Fostoria. The police never bother people up there but you never know what will happen year after year. The video recording starts at 7:30am!!
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Aug 4, 2013 16:45:51 GMT -8
Our club has made this trip out to Fostoria for about 7 years now. I have been on 4 of the 7 trips missing only 2010, 2011 and 2012. We have been all thru that area. I remember just over a year ago+ there was a cool rail cam at the Bar by the tracks and I would often sit here and watch trains on my laptop. It was great then out of no where it just went out!! Disappeared! The year before in 2011 I sat here and watched trains while I also watched the club members in the Amtrak Parking lot watching trains. I was so mad! I wanted to really go but I was just getting ready to leave for the Fire academy in a month and could not attend.
Curt, I always find myself walking on the tracks while I am trying to take a picture, cussing out CSX and NS cops as they tell me to stay off the tracks, I put more than 4 half dollar coins on the rails to see what happened and lastly I always played chicken with the trains when I went to Fostoria! It is real fun! I have made it so close that the train nipped my shoe as I jumped out of the way! It was the biggest adrenaline rush!! I am a mess, maybe a menace to society! The last year that I went there was in 2009 and I jumped on a few moving trains and road one for just about a mile hanging onto a coal car then jumped off and ran back to the station laughing. I also peed on the tracks as a train passed by and the funniest part was the conductor saw me doing it and held down on the horn longer than I have ever heard in my life! Man I go all out in breaking the rules when I go and it will be the same this year! This year I am going to attempt train surfing but I want to make sure to get video of it.
Now if you are stupid enough to believe anything I just said in the last paragraph, you really have no clue dawg. I have never and would never do any of those things listed above. That would be crazy as hell to see someone really do all those things. LOL Well anyway all of the hotels/motels we are staying at have Wifi so you will hear from me and I will give updates as I travel. See you on the rebound, Peace out!!
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Post by atsfan on Aug 4, 2013 18:23:00 GMT -8
Al, hope you have a great trip! Here are some pointers to help you and your club group... Fostoria cops are very friendly to railfans and you won't have any problems unless you: 1) Walk down beside F Tower (where CSX will run you off) 2) Have a NS officer find you standing on their tracks Any rumors of police being unfriendly are generally made to keep certain people from showing up there... 1) Expect 80-120 trains per 24 hours, ~60% CSX ex-B&O line (or connecting to/from that), ~20% NS, ~20% CSX ex-C&O line 2) When NS does get signal to cross through Fostoria (CSX controls all crossings and only gives NS signal when there is a break in CSX traffic and nothing near on either CSX line) it is very common to have a NS meet 3) It is not uncommon for NS trains on outskirts of town waiting 1-3 hours for a signal through Fostoria 4) A fairly common practice has 3 CSX trains going at same time - Toledo/Willard train on northeast connector, Toledo/Chicago(or New Baltimore or Cincinnati) train on northwest connector, while 3rd CSX train passing through (EB or WB) on southernmost ex-B&O track 5) CSX ex-C&O line local, which uses connectors from the ex-C&O line to south to access the ex-B&O, usually has many scrap cars and runs with a caboose (frequently a Chessie C27A bay window, or CSX ex-C&O safety slogan wide vision) generally midday 6) NS runs several locals each day to the ADM elevator and other companies just west of town (and high hood SD40-2s have been the power of choice for more than a decade) 7) Don't be surprised to see a lot of BNSF and UP run through power on coal trains (DEEX & PNJX trains), auto trains (including solid AutoMax trains), and mixed freights (Q360 and Q380 series trains) Have a great trip! 120 per day? That is 5 per hour one every 12 minutes. Wow that is like cajon on a busy day. How often to you get to Ohio Curt?
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 4, 2013 19:40:36 GMT -8
I hope you don't run into these guys Monster.......... Oh I wish, I WISH somebody would try that B.S. with me. I love stuff like this, I eat it up. I know it sounds funny, but I love it. I make them feel tiny by the time I'm done talking. P.S. Have a good trip Al.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 4, 2013 20:45:27 GMT -8
One must consider that Fostoria is not just one or two sets of tracks, but 3 double track mainlines (all signaled for traffic in both directions on either track) with 13 diamonds and 6 connection tracks... On top of the 60+ scheduled freights on a typical day there are coal, ethanol, oil, utility empties, grain, ore, coke, occasional potash and sulfur unit trains, as well as the numerous locals. It is rare when there is not something moving through the city and at least another train waiting their turn.
I was in Fostoria for two days last summer. At one point we had 14 trains in an hour (10 CSX + 4 NS, including 5 times we had multiple trains at same time). One of the other railfans there was logging trains and had 90+ trains in last 24 hours, and had mentioned his highest day count on prior trip had been a Friday with more than 120. On a prior trip in 2010 I had observed over 60 trains in daylight on a Saturday.
BTW, there is also a webcam there (pay site) and a radio feed so that you don't have to be there to watch or hear those trains.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 5, 2013 1:20:00 GMT -8
Curt,I'm a member of Rail Stream and there is eight live feed cams and three of those cams are free but,you do have to watch commericals on these "free cams" to help support the cameras..A new cam is planned for next year.
I get my money's worth and it saves me from having to make a 84 mile round trip to Fostoria like I use too.
I even see 844 rolling through Grand Island around 3 weeks ago. ------------------------------ Al,The cam was moved..There are two cams in Fostoria..One faces West and covers the CSX/NS diamonds and the other faces East and covers the C&O diamonds.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 5, 2013 8:04:00 GMT -8
I used to watch the cam from the bar and ATCS monitor on the computer at home. Bought a small notebook to take and use the wi-fi at the bar a week before they killed off the wi-fi for some reason. Still enjoyed the time there, scanners work well in the area.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 5, 2013 9:40:59 GMT -8
Peddler, actually I was a member of that site until they moved the western Fostoria cam and ruined the ability to see CSX trains at night (which I watched most). I was one of the early supporters of that site (when its only cam was at Fostoria and was intended to have 3 cams in Fostoria) sending him money even before there were memberships. The bar location was the best until the disagreement that led to its removal. Then there were the replacement cams down by the C&O/N&W diamond with plans for cams in railpark when opened, then the disagreements that ended that... Then there was the dual cams with eastern cam looking at F tower, and the other a nice side-shot of CSX trains at the crossing closest to the cams. Apparently there were complaints from the NS fans so the latter cam was moved to a distant shot of the N&W/B&O diamond that has a pole in the middle of the view and is nothing but a blob of light for EB CSX trains at night.
FYI, for the free cams if you have Firefox and adblock plus you don't see the ads. But the only things the free cams show are NS lines. And in my opinion every one of the paid cam views is now worse than they initially were - altered to show stuff like street traffic (to please the viewers with ADD that always have to be watching something move) or moved to focus more on NS than CSX.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 5, 2013 10:15:23 GMT -8
Watching webcams at night looking for trains? How does that work, do you know the train is coming? What do you do during lull periods versus stare at the webcam screen ?
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Post by Brakie on Aug 5, 2013 10:55:07 GMT -8
Watching webcams at night looking for trains? How does that work, do you know the train is coming? What do you do during lull periods versus stare at the webcam screen ? Fostoria is busy 24/7 except for Christmas which shuts down operation.There is chat room that many of us use. ------------------------------------ Curt,I still get my money's worth and I like the current cam location far better then the bar location. The Fostoria west cam looks on the CSX/NS diamond which has a far better view of the NS trains then the in- your-face-bar cam did. As far as the posts yup but,not one thing can be done-there's no other location willing to have the cameras place on their building and the needed gear inside. CSX will not cut the poles down either. lol
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