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There have been many references made here to hotels that offer rooms with a mostly unobstructed view of tracks with a reasonable amount of "action". The Hyatt in Emeryville noted by Mr. Cold, certainly is one of such.
But we have not had a topic at which all of these hotels have been addressed together.
So let's give it a try here. The hotel's grade (star) need not matter, but it would be helpful if other than a major chain to include such. I ask no mention of specific rates as those are so much a property of supply and demand.
Here are some from my recent travels.
If you have North facing view on a higher floor at the Campus Inn (4 star) in Ann Arbor, you'll have a view of the Michigan Central and the "six a day" Wolverines.
At Coralville IA, the Holiday Inn Express affords views from most any room of the Rock Island. In its new incarnation as the Iowa Interstate, it's no longer a sticks in the mud operation, but rather a main line with 100 car trains with the latest GE motive up front.
Overseas at Salzburg, the Best Western Imlauer would appear to offer views of the OBB and so much "action", that the most "foamed of foamers" will say "enough".
Others, please.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Of course, the NUMBER #1 "hotel with a view" still has to be the Izaak Walton Inn in Montana!!! (Essex AMTRAK "station")
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Chicago Holiday Inn Mart Plaza (west side rooms) - view of CUS North and OTC.
palmland Member # 4344
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Great idea, GBN, but 'surprise'. This website has a railroad hotel listing here..
But it is incomplete. For those who make suggestions here, maybe we should update it.
My two favorite (no surprise to many) are the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland, Va. While it has gone downhill a bit, new owners promise to upgrade it. Even as it is, as long as you don't demand all the amenities people think they have to have now, it's a great place to stay. Next to the CSX mainline with many Amtrak trains and a good restaurant a couple doors down.
But, my favorite has to be the La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ. What's not to like: close to 100 BNSF trains, the SWC, superb southwestern restaurant (with locally sourced food), and historic Spanish mission architecture and furnishings. But, again, not for those who expect some of the amenities required at the 4 star hotels, ie no TV, room service, or bellhops.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Westin Crown Center, Kansas City Missouri
Stay above the 10th floor.
You will see plenty of freight action, along with 3/4. The MP? Only during its turns. It's too short not to be blocked by the headhouse of KC Union Station, let alone the North Waiting Room.
For a dining experience, Jack Stack BBQ Kansas City Freight House, during patio months (occasionally April, but generally May to October. Looks across the parking lot into the KCT mainline (Jt UP/BNSF).
ghCBNS Member # 3093
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The Fairfield Inn & Suites at Dorval, Quebec (10 miles west of Montreal) Grab a room on an upper floor at the back.
CN and CP run parallel through here so it's essentially a five track mainline. Heavy intermodal and freight action + VIA corridor runs on CN and AMT Commuter on CP:
And for the plane aficionado…..Montreal’s International Airport is adjacent.
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