Train Spotters - advice?

guerrillakilla13 · 12-02-2016, 08:22 PM

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice in regards to train spotting.

I work in Tempe AZ and know that Union Pacific owns all the track in that area by Arizona State University. I'd love to sit somewhere after work and watch a locomotive go by every once in awhile but i don't know the schedule or how often they even use the track. I understand that the schedule isn't online, so it's my understanding that the best way to figure out when a train is coming is by listening to the radio chatter.

Is that the best way to know when a train is coming? I think they only go by maybe once or twice a day on that track but i'm not sure. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

LStick · 12-02-2016, 08:35 PM

Found a log of UP radio frequencies . Hopefully the spur you are referring to is in that grouping.

PM sent

guerrillakilla13 · 12-02-2016, 08:48 PM

Thanks! PM'd

Still a little lost on what i'm listening for

LStick · 12-02-2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guerrillakilla13

Thanks! PM'd

Still a little lost on what i'm listening for

Hand held programmable scanner should make this happen. The links are mostly on 2 hour delay and are demos.

Some live feeds. Don't know if the railroads are linked live.

CamaroFred · 12-02-2016, 09:14 PM

Since 911 all their radios have become encrypted.
Are there any RR museums near you? That's been my best option.

CamaroFred · 12-02-2016, 09:23 PM

Spurs are always odd hours and days.

You won't get into a rail yard where they do the switching without a pass. Like an airport they run your fingerprints and you need a reason.
That is some really cool shit.

guerrillakilla13 · 12-03-2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LStick

Hand held programmable scanner should make this happen. The links are mostly on 2 hour delay and are demos.

Some live feeds. Don't know if the railroads are linked live.

sounds good thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

Since 911 all their radios have become encrypted.
Are there any RR museums near you? That's been my best option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

Spurs are always odd hours and days.

You won't get into a rail yard where they do the switching without a pass. Like an airport they run your fingerprints and you need a reason.
That is some really cool shit.

In Phoenix there are no real rail museums, which is a surprise to me but I guess the railroad was never all the prominent out here.

I work next to a single rail line which leads to and from a railyard by the Airport. I thought I could read signals since there is one by a nearby crossing but they never really say anything unless they're red. It's usually always a solid yellow.

I understand the extra security but sheesh I just wanna nerd out haha

Steve Dallas · 12-03-2016, 12:52 PM

If you want to nerd out, do what I do...play Train Simulator. My desktop link says "Train Simulator 2013" and I got it on Steam for my PC. I think the link is old, and the program gets updated so I'm on the most recent version. I've bought tracks like Stevens pass where I live near, and they have cool scenarios like taking a big load across Stevens in the snow where you have to sand to get traction.

Baldman · 12-03-2016, 01:00 PM

Do you get RFD-TV on your cable system or sat.system? They have shows on there about trains etc. I saw this while I was channel surfing on my Dish.

:http://www.rfdtv.com/category/268316...amming-line-up It's down at the bottom.

guerrillakilla13 · 12-03-2016, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

If you want to nerd out, do what I do...play Train Simulator. My desktop link says "Train Simulator 2013" and I got it on Steam for my PC. I think the link is old, and the program gets updated so I'm on the most recent version. I've bought tracks like Stevens pass where I live near, and they have cool scenarios like taking a big load across Stevens in the snow where you have to sand to get traction.

Already have it. And train fever as well lol. Not quite the same as seeing the real thing go by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baldman

Do you get RFD-TV on your cable system or sat.system? They have shows on there about trains etc. I saw this while I was channel surfing on my Dish.

:http://www.rfdtv.com/category/268316...amming-line-up It's down at the bottom.

Thanks! There's also a livefeed on youtube, great camera angle on a crossing somewhere in NJ I think. It's kinda cool to watch.

dmj25 · 12-03-2016, 11:25 PM

I work around tracks and I get tired of seeing trains coming and going lol

Bhobbs · 12-04-2016, 12:34 AM

There are plenty of guys on YouTube that trainspot. Try asking them how they do it.

Steve Dallas · 12-04-2016, 04:30 PM

My only train video I've done...If you have a good video monitor, watch it in 4k full screen

12-02-2016, 08:22 PM	#1
guerrillakilla13 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 711	Train Spotters - advice? Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice in regards to train spotting. I work in Tempe AZ and know that Union Pacific owns all the track in that area by Arizona State University. I'd love to sit somewhere after work and watch a locomotive go by every once in awhile but i don't know the schedule or how often they even use the track. I understand that the schedule isn't online, so it's my understanding that the best way to figure out when a train is coming is by listening to the radio chatter. Is that the best way to know when a train is coming? I think they only go by maybe once or twice a day on that track but i'm not sure. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

12-02-2016, 09:14 PM	#5
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Since 911 all their radios have become encrypted. Are there any RR museums near you? That's been my best option. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

12-02-2016, 09:23 PM	#6
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Spurs are always odd hours and days. You won't get into a rail yard where they do the switching without a pass. Like an airport they run your fingerprints and you need a reason. That is some really cool shit. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

12-03-2016, 12:52 PM	#8
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	If you want to nerd out, do what I do...play Train Simulator. My desktop link says "Train Simulator 2013" and I got it on Steam for my PC. I think the link is old, and the program gets updated so I'm on the most recent version. I've bought tracks like Stevens pass where I live near, and they have cool scenarios like taking a big load across Stevens in the snow where you have to sand to get traction. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

12-03-2016, 01:00 PM	#9
Baldman EMERALD COAST CAMAROS Drives: None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cridersvile, OHIO Posts: 2,973	Do you get RFD-TV on your cable system or sat.system? They have shows on there about trains etc. I saw this while I was channel surfing on my Dish. :http://www.rfdtv.com/category/268316...amming-line-up It's down at the bottom. __________________

12-02-2016, 08:35 PM	#2
LStick Drives: 2021 Shadow Gray 1LS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Streetsboro Ohio Posts: 1,370	Found a log of UP radio frequencies . Hopefully the spur you are referring to is in that grouping. PM sent

12-02-2016, 08:48 PM	#3
guerrillakilla13 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Arizona Posts: 711	Thanks! PM'd Still a little lost on what i'm listening for

12-03-2016, 11:25 PM	#11
dmj25 Drives: 2016 Camaro SS A8 Red Garnet NPP Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Odessa Posts: 223	I work around tracks and I get tired of seeing trains coming and going lol

12-04-2016, 12:34 AM	#12
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,990	There are plenty of guys on YouTube that trainspot. Try asking them how they do it. __________________