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So Where Are The Trains?
With the examples discussed in this article, we have seen aerial views of only the tiniest fraction of the rail lines crossing the U.S. -- just a few pixels-worth. Even so, we still saw two trains. Trains are difficult to hide. They all have to be somewhere, but they don't stand still for long. It's all a matter of timing. Like real railfanning, you have to be where the trains are when the trains are there. They just weren't always there when the NAPP plane was. The Long and the Short of It 
If it's trains you want to see, there are trains in many aerial photographs. You just need to look
around. Check places where trains like to congregate. Check large rail yards, loading facilities and mine areas. Check Houston, check
North Platte, check Chicago. Check around Boston and Los Angeles. Check places like Bill, Wyoming, Alliance, NE and... oh yeah,
Needles, CA.
It's a little more work to find trains on the high iron, but they're out there, plenty of them. Looking for them is part challenge and part fun; you'll get to see a lot of interesting stuff besides trains and track. How do you spot them? Keep an eye out for skinny tapeworms or long, segmented snakes. Sometimes
Norfolk Southern Hump Yard Macon, GA
they're curved and sometimes they're straight. Sometimes they're dark and
sometimes they're light. You'll probably find that 16 or 8-meter resolution isn't fine enough for mainline running. You will have
better luck finding these elusive creatures at the 4 or 2-meter levels.
Where should you look? You should look wherever mainline trains like to go. For a start, search along
mainlines connecting principal cities. Check the rails between
Hersey and Wilson
on the former C&NW line from St. Paul, MN to Eau Claire, WI, for example.
Many trains are long, but sometimes you will find short ones too. It looks like there is a local doing some light chores on an industrial spur just off the former PRR mainline running northeast through Trenton, NJ. And while you're there, it might also be interesting to compare the topo map and the aerial views in that general area. It appears there have been a
BN White-Face On The High Iron Lyons, ND
few changes made there between 1981 and 1995. Then there are the trains doing all the heavy grunt work. You can check one out at Dutch Junction (just east of Wakeley, WY). Can you guess where that train has been and why? Hint: Read this issue's Cover Story. Answer: ????. And... oh, we mustn't forget Kansas. Take a look at Kanopolis, there is something interesting going on there. Hmmm, I wonder what movie is playing at the drive-in? Then, you can check... well, we could go on and on, but if you're a railfan, you'll know where to look. If you're not, and you've read this far, you may be a potential railfan. It's a great hobby to get into. You'll get some fresh air, a little exercise and meet some great folks. It's likely you'll see some trains too. Then, when the weather is frightful, just throw another log on the fire and open-up a good browser; you'll be all set to do some serious virtual railfanning. Bring Me The Zoom 
So, where was the
railroad photograph
on page 1 taken? All the clues you should need for finding the aerial view of the location and the exact spot are all right there in
the picture. You should be aware, however, that while the topographic maps on the TerraServer may help you locate the general area
once you know where it is, you will not be able to use them to pinpoint the location; they are nearly twenty years too old for that.
Unless you already have a good idea where this picture was taken, the search won't be a walk in the park, but it should not be
particularly difficult either. The references you need may not all be right at hand, so you will need the heart to take up the challenge, your brain to figure it out and the courage to stick with it. Before you begin, though, please read on. Just Click Your Mouse Three Times We should take a moment to consider the USGS/TerraServer Team accomplishment in creating the TerraServer least we take it for granted for the ease of access we have to this information. From flight planning and photography to production of DOQs & DRGs, as well as database creation and the technology behind it all, this is no small feat. Microsoft's TerraServer is certainly among the most unique sites on the Web and perhaps one of the most interesting, entertaining and useful for railfans. What it offers is sure to intrigue railfans in a way no other website can. But be warned, searching-out aerial images can be addictive and you may be at risk of burning-out your computer monitor screen and, perhaps, losing some sleep for the time you'll spend flying over the country scouting countless railroad locations. |
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