"24 Hours @ Saginaw"

I didn't see this posted anywhere, so I thought I would make mention of it as I think it is pretty significant. This past Friday and Saturday was the first of hopefully many railfanning events hosted in Saginaw, Texas by the local NRHS chapter. The "24 Hours @ Saginaw" event ran from 7pm Friday to 7pm Saturday, and several made it for the entire ride. The net was 75 trains and at least that many railfans.

Saginaw is a northern suburb of Fort Worth and home to three LARGE grain elevators among other things. Within a 5 mile radius of the UP/BNSF diamonds you'll find:
-The Saginaw Chamber of Commerce housed in a relocated, refurbished railroad station located within a stone's throw of the diamonds.
-Elevator 1 is the northernmost and features a defunct Northern Pacific boxcar as its signature spotting feature. It has utilized different motive power over the years for switching duties.
-Elevator 2 is set slightly southeast of the first, and a squared-off "accordian" style silo arrangement. It is currently served by an ex-D&RGW SW1200 still in its Rio Grande black and gold paint.
-Elevator 3 is "Burris Mills", probably the busiest of the three elevators and served by ex-ATSF CF7's in an attractive tan and orange "RESCAR" scheme. This elevator is probably one of the most unique mill/elevator structures you will see, and adds a lot of character to the area.
-BNSF's Fort Worth sub. The BNSF FW sub is the line from FW to KC. Intermodal, Grain, Manifest, Automobile, and Roadrailer traffic in addition to the Amtrak Heartland Flyer.
-BNSF's Wichita Falls sub. The BNSF WF sub is doubletracked through the interchange and is the old Fort Worth & Denver line between FW and Amarillo. Intermodal, Grain, Manifest, and Unit Coal trains.
-UP's Duncan sub The UP Duncan sub runs from Fort Worth to Duncan, OK and all points north. Grain, Manifest, and Rock trains. Occasional empty coal trains northbound.
-All three of these lines intersect with a few feet of each other almost dead center between the triangle of massive grain elevators. South of the interchange and elevator area are two BNSF yards and multiple industrial parks and other rail customers.
-BNSF "North Yard" is the ex-BN yard that was the focal point for BN operations during its existance. It is still heavily used and has a decent-size engine facility on the southwest side. The regional Fort Worth & Western's Hodge Yard sits directly on the south end of the yard where BNSF's trackage takes a sharp right hand turn for the trip south to Tower 55.
-BNSF "Saginaw Yard" is immediately past Burris Mills, and is reportedly BNSF's Mexico staging yard for the area. Also, just to the south of the general freight classification yard is the old ATSF Intermodal facility, which now exclusively handles Triple Crown Roadrailer service. Hundreds of Roadrailer trailers are always around although the trains generally arrive and depart in the cover of darkness.
-Trinity Industries Saginaw plant. This railcar manufacturing facility has produced many freight cars over the years. Most notably, the 5161 Covered Hoppers of late including a large percentage of BNSF's order.
-BNSF Railway's Corporate Headquarters
-BNSF's Trinity Connection, a wye connecting the FW and WF subs for access to Alliance yard for Cali intermodals, and access to the FW sub for PRB coal trains.
-Many other rail served industries.
-Outside 5 miles but notable: BNSF's Alliance yard (~15 miles north), Stockyards Station and GVVR Steam Excursion Train (~10 miles south), UP's Choctaw Sub (~10 miles east), Tower 55 (~15 miles south)

The Saginaw Chamber of Commerce is embracing railfans as positive links to the city's rich railroad heritage, and there is talk of building Rochelle-like facilities (many of which are already in place) to accomodate even more railfanning activity.

So, just a positive railfan story counter to many of the bad experiences we hear so much about. Kudos to Skip Waters and the NRHS group for their efforts.

 

I too have been past the grain elevators and have seen the Saginaw area, but alas driving a truck with a time restraint makes it kinda hard to stop and railfan.
A little further north on US 287 you can catch in and outbound trains to Amarillom and also a railcar repair facility in the little town of Newark.

I wish Id known about the railfan tour the local NRHS chapter hosted. Woulda been a good time even though I have to drive 100 miles to see it. Like i said would abeen well worth the drive

Tom

 

Tom,

Good point about the railcar facility. Forgot about that one, which is also adjacent to a UP passing siding. (Hicks)

And yes, going northwest from the diamonds on 287 gives you a whole 'nother world of additional stack trains and intermodals. In fact, that is my old stompin' grounds between FW and Wichita Falls. Some great railroading and scenery in the LBJ Grasslands area about 30 minutes out where they have helpers to get coal trains up the hill.

 

I thought I was the only one that knew about Saginaw! Just kidding about that, but I wish I'd known about the get together. Maybe it'll be mentioned here before the next one so those of us interested can make the trip.

 

Museum Site?

I would love the chance to build a RR museum comparible to the San Diego one right near them elevators... with a 'fanning deck (covered of course due to the summers from Hades) on the top level