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Monroe railfanning

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 4:55 pm
by CSXBOY
So on Christmas break I might do a Monroe day trip with my mom. I plan to get down there for 383 and 332 and 288 which is 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Is there still a CN local from Toledo on the Shoreline sub? Should I go to the CSX line after M383 and 332 cleared. And what locals go between Airline Yard and Monroe? I also plan to go back to the line to catch 331 and 31M and go back to the CSX line and lastly catch M391 on the way back to the interstate

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:04 pm
by TrainStuff13
I haven't seen the CN local the last few times I've been there. But the NS local does still run and usually has a NW caboose. I think the symbol is B52 or B54, but I'm not sure. The best time for CSX is probably the early afternoon. Hope that helps.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:06 pm
by Saturnalia
Don't overestimate your ability to switch between the four lines in the manner you wish to. It isn't all that easy to keep track of movements on all the lines and be able to navigate to and from them all.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 7:25 pm
by ConrailDetr​oit
Too much planning. Your time is a good time to be there in the morning for NS. B20 runs out of Warner Yard and south on Detroit Line #1 Main with N&W Caboose. They are on duty on weekday afternoons. CN Local from Flat Rock to Toledo was 506. Not sure if still running anymore.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 4:24 pm
by CSXBOY
So be trackside on the CN and NS in the morning and be trackside on CSX in the early afternoon? how likely is it to see a C783?

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:53 pm
by JStryker722
Instead of trying to go between CN,NS,and CSX in Monroe,I suggest going to Oak St. In Wyandotte where there is parking and both the CN and NS mainlines are all next to each other with good line-of-sight in both directions. 2 out of 3 railroads within viewing distance is better than wasting gas hoping to bounce between 3 lines,just my 2 cents. And if there is a Dry spell in trains long enough,you can get ice cream from Stroh's Ice Cream or go to Bishop Park for some boating action lol.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 1:17 pm
by Fred
Yes, Wyandotte has more eateries including Sander's Ice Cream, Wendy's, Mickey D's, Nana's Kitchen, & Jimmy John's to name a few. All within minutes from being trackside. More CN action there than in Monroe, NS action about the same. However, the CSXT isn't close by.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 2:45 pm
by CSXBOY
Yes I Been to Wyandotte like 7 times since June and I changed my mind a friend of mine is going to Vickers sometime after Christmas. So I would like to meet up with him. I would like coordinates from google maps since its my first time going. Heard traffic is very heavy through there

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 2:46 pm
by Saturnalia
CSXBOY wrote:Yes I Been to Wyandotte like 7 times since June and I changed my mind a friend of mine is going to Vickers sometime after Christmas. So I would like to meet up with him. I would like coordinates from google maps since its my first time going. Heard traffic is very heavy through there
A google search for "Vickers Junction Toledo" will yield all of the starting info you need.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:21 pm
by jimnorthwood
Vickers is in Northwood. Good train watching opportunities, not so much for photography except from the new bridges. Don't trespass and don't even think about going to the diamond itself. There is at least one thread, probably more, here containing much detail about Vickers.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 7:19 pm
by penn central
Years before 9-11 i used to go right down to the diamonds after that forget it. That used to be a heck of a spot carloads of railfans would hang out right at the diamonds i sure miss those days.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 7:55 pm
by jimnorthwood
Yes, same here Penn Central. Discounting that Vickers is a good watching spot again. With the truncation of "old" Wales road in both the east and west direction and Drouillard Rd on the south, there is no need to trespass anyway. There are plenty of places to park in that area where the two roads used to cross. There are even a couple of pull outs. Just stay out of the way of the auto detailing business and you won't have any issues. McDonald's, etc on Woodville Road for food and facilities :)

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 8:59 pm
by railohio
Not sure the need to micromanage a trip to Monroe – or anywhere. After a couple visits you'll learn what radio cues to listen for to find trains around town and pick up on traffic patterns.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:19 pm
by CSXBOY
I know this is off topic but when 9-11 happened did the railroad security went up?

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:32 pm
by Saturnalia
CSXBOY wrote:I know this is off topic but when 9-11 happened did the railroad security went up?
Yes, in some places more than others.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:34 pm
by warder
Speaking of Monroe...Looks like CN and NS will get in on switching the Port.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/1 ... -port.html

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:03 am
by AARR
Not too long ago (5-10 years IIRC) CN delivered a lot of liquid asphalt to the tank farm in Monroe. The small yard would be full of tank cars.
warder wrote:Speaking of Monroe...Looks like CN and NS will get in on switching the Port.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/1 ... -port.html

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:19 pm
by M.D.Bentley
AARR wrote:Not too long ago (5-10 years IIRC) CN delivered a lot of liquid asphalt to the tank farm in Monroe. The small yard would be full of tank cars.
warder wrote:Speaking of Monroe...Looks like CN and NS will get in on switching the Port.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/1 ... -port.html
Both the NS and CN serve the Thompson McCully plant in Monroe.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:53 pm
by hoborich
When I'm in Wyandotte, I listen to CN, NS, and CSX. If you're paying attention, you can usually hear potential traffic on the Lincoln Secondary, and a quick run up Northline Rd to Allen road will catch the CSX trains. That said, you might miss something at Oak street while you're gone.

Re: Monroe railfanning

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 5:33 pm
by CSXBOY
So I went to Vickers on Friday Great place had lots of fun 2 CSX trains, 1 CN train, plus tons of NS trains