When do trains pass over the trestle trail? Is there a schedule? I took this on film, and would like to repeat with a train passing. TY!choicebutts t1_j9dkyeo wrote
I Googled "trainspotting RVA" and didn't find much. (That's what the hobby is called.) Google also told me that freight trains don't necessarily run on schedules.
You may just have to keep your ears open for trains and keep track of busy days or times of day. Freight trains run more frequently just before the winter holidays, and a few months before the seasons change. Traffic should be picking up soon with summer clothing coming in.
cmyk412 t1_j9dnync wrote
Trainspotting is more common in the UK. I think here people also call themselves railfans.
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9huhiu wrote
Have you seen the (gross) movie "trainspotting"? That's a UK movie.
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9dppq4 wrote
Interesting approach ideas, thanks. I will keep them in mind.
But surely there must be a specific daily schedule? Commercial and industrial railways are (supposedly) tightly regulated and scheduled. Someone must have a document detailing info such as "Engine SFPK-166498 inbound from Norfolk to arrive between 14:22-14:27 EST, etc". I wouldn't be surprised if the AAR required all trains to have GPS.
Considering that all air traffic info is available in real time (via "air traffic" app), perhaps that same info is available for trains? Granted, the general population doesn't independently use railways the same way a private citizen may own and fly a plane, but I can come up with reasons why it would make sense to make train schedules public. I'll keep digging.
colfer2 t1_j9emw4s wrote
Trains don't work that way any more. The Interstate Commerce Commission is long gone, and then came "Precision Scheduled Railroading," an Orwellian term for the opposite of scheduling. Online Amtrak has a tracker map, but not the freights.
The common wisdom over at the Ashland railcam site is that CSX is fairly unscheduled, though regular trains have route numbers. (Youtube for Ashland Virtual Railfan, their only camera in Virginia. Occasionally fans have tried to use highway cameras.) The two types of freights are unit trains that carry one thing, and manifest trains that carry many things. You could ask the generally helpful people there about this route, on the Youtube comments. Some of those folks seem to be freight spotters, but they're pretty terse. Mainly Amtrak fans.
The haphazard timing of manifest trains was a big issue in the averted rail strike. Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) leads to every day being an on-call day for workers on the ground, as well as interfering with Amtrak. Railroad profits are good.
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9hqib2 wrote
I see. That all is interesting and helpful, so thanks. If I can somehow estimate the time for a likely train passing to within an approximately 2 hour period, I can make it work.
colfer2 t1_j9j7qop wrote
A recent reddit thread on the triple crossing calls this line "a seldom used spur," if I have my geography right. The Norfolk Southern line from Burkeville to West Point, VA ? If so, it goes right through the intersection of Robious and Huguenot at ground level. With an automobile, it would be an easy chase eastward to the river. Could also look at Google maps for a traffic backup, because that train must do a number on the roads when it passes through. But I'm not the clueless newbie you should consult, people do this stuff at expert level. The subreddit r/trains would be a good place to ask.
The one and only time I've been to West Point, the big paper plant had a line of trucks carrying recyclable paper and cardboard into the plant. It's the longest straight river in the state, and I think the Navy stores old ships there.
chasetwisters t1_j9dqs5s wrote
I don't think freight schedules are publicized due to potential security issues
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9hter6 wrote
I've read that theory, but the amtrak schedules are obviously public knowledge, so how is that safe?
Perhaps industrial trains have unique security concerns, such as hobos (and transient murderers) riding the rails? I can't imagine someone foolish enough to attempt a real modern train robbery for raw coal or grain. Frankly, I don't see how knowing a trains schedule could significantly improve your odds of a successful robbery. The logistics of that operation are inconceivable. Any cargo worth that effort either wouldn't be traveling via rail in the first place, or would be seriously guarded (like Kim Jong Une's train).
Sorry - what are the specific security concerns to which you were referring?
chasetwisters t1_j9hwypx wrote
Freight trains carry more than coal and grain, and robbery is probably one of their lowest concerns. As we just saw in Ohio, they carry hazardous materials. They ship nuclear waste via rail. A targeted attack on a train like that at a sensitive location could have huge implications.
Bottom line, there really isn't a reason for freight train operators to publish their train locations. Amtrak does it because people ride their trains or are picking people up from train stations so its advantageous to know. Theres just no real reason the general public needs to know where freight trains are.
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9i6amc wrote
I suppose. But it sounds more like a movie script - a domestic terrorist attack on a train transporting hazardous wastes?
Admittedly, I've seen youtube videos of train derailments with disastrous consequences - such as the total loss of a few homes in close proximity to the line. ...and that's the best case outcome for the hypothetical terrorist in this scenario. It just sounds like a very technical plan with a lot of variables and low expected yield. Probably easier to highjack an airplane, or (ironically) target a commuter train.
The public could benefit from knowing industrial train schedules. Suppose a commuter would prefer to take an alternate route to avoid being delayed by the passing of a long train at a RR crossing? Maybe a farmer could move his grazing cattle to another field father away from the tracks. Maybe my dad wouldn't have picked a camp site near lines with trains passing at 2am, blaring their air horns. Hell, I bet the timing of passing trains could significantly influence property values - I would want that info before buying a house. Etc.
choicebutts t1_j9dwwow wrote
That, and trains run when there are enough things to move.
When I moved to the midwest in '07, trains passed through my neighborhood several times a day, but starting in 2009 traffic noticeably dropped off to maybe twice a day. Traffic didn't get close to normal until 2011.
You can Google commercial train schedules, but what you'll get are pages that are set up for industrial tracking and you have to have an account with the shipping company.
You could try the old photographer's trick of picking a day to sit and wait.
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9grs19 wrote
Having researched this I'm surprised to learn that industrial trains are so irregular, but apparently use a system of trains taking a particular route in a specific order.
But there is something "advanced train control system" or ATCS which has real time data on the locations of some trains. Some of that data is available on trainmon5, which I've submitted an application to join. Might end up being a dead end, but I'll report back.
choicebutts t1_j9h7651 wrote
I think part of the fun of it is spotting trains unexpectedly and learning their habits, much like birdwatching. :D
UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9hpwo6 wrote
Agreed, but I still want the specific pic I described in OP. I live in the fan, and can't justify hanging around the canal all day just to pick up the train patterns.
Side note, I'm also planning to shoot (with a camera) the nearby heron rookery, now till March apparently being the optimal time of year for that (from what I've read).
But in both cases (trains and herons) the plan is to (as much as possible) pick the best times to increase the chances of optimal photos. I enjoy planning a good project - I'll appreciate the final product more.
choicebutts t1_j9dx38x wrote
You could try a very direct approach. Find pictures of trains on the bridge in this sub and message the photographers to find out when they took them.
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