i present myself : first, i'm a french railfan so excuse for my not very well english, i'm 18, student at university as a railfan, an beacause i like 3D, i've created a few models for a simulator named Train Simulator. (http://sttp13.free.fr in french ) in 2004, i've took the transsibérian through russia to reach china, you can see some shots on http://sttp13.free.fr/ma_collection_perso.htm this is a brief biography of me
this year, me and a friend who has the same passion, will travel to the USA, so your country !, for about 20 days, with this main theme : the rail
for that, we will use the amtrack's national railpass that permit us to travel illimited for 15days
so now, you know all about my case.
now, my question will be: can you advise me some places that will interest a railfan? as trains ( big diesel locos), subway systems, tramways, funiculars, special trains, all that rolls on two rails (or more ;D) would interest me. and museums of course so don't hesitate to give all your ideas and tips. due to our short time (20 days) i would like to privilege only very main interesting points
in order to prepare that travel, i've find some interesting things to do : -transit museum new york -cable car museum, san francisco -a trip on the "zephyr express" chicago> SF -the canyon railway -illinois railway museum
these are the places that i already knew, but i'm sure that there is much more rail sites. i hope you can advise me
i've seen your list of usa museums, but there are so much that i can't really chose, so can you advise me some very interesting and near big cities, because we have only 20 days, so can't go too far from the cities.
if someone would take contact with me on msn, there is no problem.
and a last important question : are the cab rides are allowed on the USA, because i've read on http://www.railfanusa.com/info/ that since the events of 2001, train drivers are reticent. in france, cab rides are unautorized but lot of drivers allow us. so is it possible if ,for example, we ask for a driver to get on with him?
thank you very much for reading me, i hope that you will help me and i hope that my english is understable
Noah,
ehbowen Member # 4317
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Bonjour, Noah
(That's about all the French I remember!)
If you can arrange a detour through the Detroit area (on Amtrak you can take the train to Toledo, there's a connecting bus to Detroit; when you're ready to move on there are three trains a day from Detroit to Chicago) the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is magnifique!
It is not primarily a railroad attraction (located in the heart of auto manufacturing territory), but there is a lot to interest railfans. The Museum features an ex C&O 2-6-6-6 Allegheny on display that you can walk right up to and touch, and Greenfield Village is encircled by a working steam railroad with an authentic restored roundhouse that you can walk through. It's easily worth a full day or even two if you have them to spare. Website: The Henry Ford
If you have an extra day and a rental car, a short drive (147 km) away from Detroit is the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan. They have three steam locomotives (two under repair right now, unfortunately) and with a day's admission they will normally take you back and let you get a good close look at them. Right now the shop facilities are pretty primitive (essentially a big barn), but eventually the plan is to have a full working roundhouse. On weekends, a short train ride behind their steam switch engine is included. Website: Steam Railroading Institue
I hate to disappoint you, but in my experience a cab ride for a US railfan is scarcer than hen's teeth. Railroads just can't accept that potential legal liability. The only times that I've ever been invited up into a cab were when the locomotive was idle and stationary at the roundhouse--and even at that the last time was over ten years ago. There may be "unofficial" opportunities, especially if you know somebody with access, but without connections it's very unlikely. Still and all, it doesn't hurt to ask; the worst they can do is say, "No."
I'd like to ask one return favor from you, if I may: Do you happen to know any discussion forums or message boards in French which would be tolerant of someone trying to re-learn the language? I took French in school (twenty-five years ago), but without someone to practice on my skills have rusted away. Just asking.
Have a great trip! Bon voyage!
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Hi Noah, Hope you have a lovely trip. I think you will enjoy the California Zephyr; it is really a exquisite ride. You might want to stop in Sacramento to see the California train museum, but since the Zephyr is usually late, you'd have to overnight there. The city is no big deal, though the Old Town area is cute enough--not sure if you'll want to take the time. But railfans like to stay at the Vagabond Inn near the train station.
While in New York City, be sure to visit Grand Central Station. you can take a tour once day a week but I'm not sure when (it used to be Wednesday) but if that doesn't work out, just ask the Information desk fellow for help. And be sure he directs you to the whispering wall (near the Oyster Bar) and the secret fancy bar (Campbell Room), once an apartment a la Lex Luthor (watch the original film of Superman and you'll see what I mean). I think there may also be a railroad display in the station but am not sure if it's still there.
If you leave New York City on a Regional train to Washington DC, you can take one in early morning and then have time to walk around the Mall in Washington before catching the Capitol Ltd to Chicago. The Smithsonian's Museum of American Hstory on the Mall (near 12th St I think--it's past Natural History) has a locomotive downstairs. And all the museums in this area are free. Washington's Union Station itself is also well worth seeing. I have also heard that the B&O Museum in Baltimore is worth seeing (you could stop there on the way to DC) but I've never been there.
On this board there is a much longer section for Amtrak posts, where there are a lot of posts to an Australian tourist named Greg who is also coming to the US in the future. And you might want to post your question there; a lot of people don't look here (this is the Western US strand but it's not so active; I thin it's mainly for freight trains in the West but am not sure).
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