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It seems to me that I've got enough to learn on these first few trips, considering I've never even been in a sleeper car! But, a lot of folks are saying I should buy a scanner to take with me so I can listen to railroad chatter! Necessary?? Or not yet??
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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Seeing as this is your first trip, I'd say don't bother with a scanner. They can be a great tool but they also can demand lots of attention to hear and understand what's going on. I do, however, recommend taking maps of states you'll pass through during daylight as it helps identify towns, rivers, etc. passing by your window.
Train Granny Member # 30118
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That's a great idea! Does the train have route guides on board, also?
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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More often than not, route guides are missing from most trains. Best to download them from Amtrak.com or RRRich's web site. Trainweb.org also has some older, highly detailed guides.
A device I've found useful is a upper-end GPS to which topographical maps of the train route have been downloaded. That tells you exactly where you are and how fast you're moving. Also it's useful for pinpointing where you are when you take photos from the train.
Train Granny Member # 30118
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Thanks, Henry. I think I would like the GPS device with maps downloaded more than a scanner.
notelvis Member # 3071
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And if you're slightly lower tech, a good Railroad Atlas, might be handy as well.
Just like Rand-MacNally but it shows the railroads state-by-state instead of the interstates.
This is not neccessarily an endorsement on my part BUT here is a link for the Railroad Atlas I use -
I do not carry a scanner as that would be one more thing to keep up with and possibly lose en route...... However, more often than not, there will be a railfan onboard with a scanner who will be happy to share information. Being able to hear the communications among train crew members is sometimes helpful in figuring out what's going on if your train is delayed.
George Harris Member # 2077
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if you can lay your hands on an old passenger timetable for the route, say from the 1960's or 50's, copy the pages of interest and carry. I would not carry the originals. Likewise, copies of the employee timetables can be useful, but harder to come by. Their usefulness will depend in part on your knowledge and feel for what goes on. They could be anywhere from useful and facinating to no use at all, that being entirely up to you. Be somewhat circumspect if you have one or a copy. Some people on the railroad side feel like this is a little too much for someone on the "outside" to have.
From your location, I am guessing that you will be on CSX rails.
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