I live in southern Arizona, and I'm not sure where I can go to safely and legally railfan... Anyone on here know of some good places that wouldn't take me half the day to get too, where I could check out some trains in action??? Thanks in advance for any replies!! -Joel
I use to work for UP out of Tucson, good times. North, railroad west through town just pick a spot that looks good to you, seems that's what others did. A friend and I use to get pizza from Pizza Express and go watch trains near Orange Grove, I think. Up toward Picacho Peak/red rock watch out for the snakes. Don't get too close to the tracks and I'm sure you'll be left alone, the UP cops tend to focus on the line coming up out of Nogales. As for the Nogales branch itself, I wouldn't railfan that in town (that was some fuzzy area when I worked there 2yrs ago) and I wouldn't go to far south on it either, also bring a friend if you can(saftey in numbers, maybe). One of my favorite spots was out in Vail at Cianega Creek, nice bridge there where the one main crosses the other. You could walk around there just about anywhere and find a good place to take pics, what ever looks good to you, just stay off the bridge. A little further east on Marsh Station Rd and toward Marsh Station Rd exit are a few good places. The eastbound main (the one that crosses the interstate), BE CAREFUL around there about a half mile or mile west of where it crosses the interstate there is a drug drop-off point there right by the tracks. Just stay away from that. The Cianega Creek area is a good place to expore for pics though if you don't mind walking. Benson isn't too bad of a place either with the dip that the tracks do through there. They come screaming in down hill then have to fight their way up n out. I know I don't need to tell you, but that area down there is changing and becoming more and more dangerous every day. The 2yrs I worked out of there several UP employees were attacked while dealing with their trains out on the line. If you're kinda out in the middle of nowhere there and along the tracks and by chance something happens to a train (ie: goes into emergency), make yourself known to anyone walking the train if you hang around. Don't spook them or sit somewhere all quiet, its against the rules but alot guys carry firearms with them there and especially while walking their trains. Some of the guys I worked with were squirly to say the least and might shoot first ask questions later. I hate to even say it, but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for you to carry a firearm yourself down there. Not just because of local issues there, but I found that when there was one snake...he had lots of friends. Oh yeah, there's mountain lions down in that Cianega Creek area too.
Great information^^. I like the area around Red Rock and Picacho. Seems later afternoon favors easy photography, well lit. The crews seem friendly enough, just stay clear of construction going on. Some nice looking trains roll through there, with some vintage stuff.
There is a group on Trainfoamers that is quite active with their rail fanning of Arizona. You might want to drop in on them and see what's up.
WOW!!! Snakes, Mountain Lions, heavily armed train crews, hostile locals!!! Didn't know railfanning was so dangerous. :tb-shocked: I live in Michigan. Railfanned all over. Never a problem with snakes, mountain lions, or local riff raff. Course, I go with a buddy and both of us are over 6 ft and heavy set. Not looking like someone to be triffled with. If you got a camera in hand and are not trespassing, no one seems to mind. Word is though, stay away from GT property. The GT police have a bit of a rep. Still got lots of good GT stuff from public areas so no complaint. We stay out of yards and if approaching, stop dead at the first no trespassing sign and either get out the telephoto gerar (much simpler now with digitals), or turn around and go back. We are responibly acting railfans.:thumbs_up: We specialize in depots and cabooses with over 200 depots captured and about 150 cabooses. Also got shots of lots of staem in Michigan both active and on display. Still got lots to get but these days little time or money to do it.:tb-sad: Sorry to hear things are so "hairy" for the hobby in Arizona. You would think railroads would appreciate us more as if we see something awry, we'll be the first to let them know. But that is the modern era we live in. Thanks "terrorist".:tb-mad: That's another one we owe you.
It really isn't as bad as it sounds. Heck, a shotgun, belt full of ammo, two six shooters strabbed to each leg with another belt of ammo, a sombrero and poncho should help you look like and fit in with the locals. Slur your words and remember to use Yah man! See... that's mucho gusto. Dinero? no comprhende. Have fun and relax it can't be any worse then down town New York.
LOL!!! Down town New York eh? You got militant Canadians packing full-auto and smuggling humans and drugs into the Bronx...LOL!!! Yes, relax and try to enjoy your hobby. It is one of those places you need to keep your witts about you though. If you got anything out of my ramblings, hopefully you find a good spot to take pics and won't accidently find someones highly protected wacky tabacy.
Well I grew up in NYC and now live in Southwest AZ. I've seen more Snakes than Muggers or Coyotes. I Railfan rite in the city of Tucson; on Irvington Rd. & ALvernon by TEP. Lots of Free parking great spots rite off the tracks to take pictures, and TEP in the background when trains run through. It's right outside of the UP Yard so lots of traffic. Enjoy and look out for the Spicy Salsa:tb-biggrin::tb-smile:
Having lived on Fort Huachuca from 2000 to 2004, I'd second, "One of my favorite spots was out in Vail at Cianega Creek, nice bridge there where the one main crosses the other." It was nice stop on the way to the big city for shopping. I liked checking out the short line from Benson south. It doesn't run very far, even when I was there, just to the explosives plant, and back. Though the rails still ran to the cement plant near Douglas/Bisbee. The explosive plant is something I thought would be neat to model. There is a old steam dummy in front of the place. I was given a tour by one of the guys there, who is a model railroader, and has a good amount of models in his office. So he took us on the property, and there was still narrow gauge rails, and equipment there. He said a local group was getting some of the stuff to do a museum in Benson.
I really liked the Miami/Globe area last time I was down that way. Check out my Arizona Eastern pics in my Arizona Shortline Album . The San Pedro & Southwestern as mentioned above out of Benson was nice too. I also got a tour of the explosives plant.
John, great album you have there. What a great variety of old iron running around out here, you caught it all beautifully!
Definitely a few years late to the thread, but another good spot I like to watch is the Kolb overpass in Tucson. It goes right over the UP mainline, and during the day you can usually watch the Port of Tucson crew switching. The PoT crew has always waved to me and so on, good place to sit.
