UnfilteredFacts OP t1_j9grs19 wrote on February 21, 2023 at 9:36 PM

Reply to comment by choicebutts in 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! by UnfilteredFacts

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 on February 21, 2023 at 11:15 PM

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 on February 22, 2023 at 1:27 AM

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.