RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.
GRAND RAPIDS MI
RAILFAN GUIDE
Grand Rapids is an interesting town to railfan. The two big eastern players, CSX and NS, both have a presence here, in addition to the shortline Grand Rapids and Eastern, and oh yea, Amtrak.
The Amtrak commuter train which leaves for Chicago in the AM can be shot at many locations in and around the station, as well as along Chicago Dr SW, and further south. If they are keeping the train overnight at the GR&E, then you can also get Amtrak pictures in parts of Grand Rapids that probably haven't seen passenger trains since the 50's (that's my guess).
As always, I wouldn't venture into the yards, especially with the NS. Apparently, the end of Freeman Ave is popular with local railfans, and gives you a fairly good vantage point for shooting stuff at Wyoming. I saw some of my first "2 digit" engines along that that road, way back in 98.
One of the most interesting sites (in my opinion) is the Chessie System overpass on Paterson Ave SW, although catching a train going over it can be a time consuming process. Morning sun is best from the south side of the bridge, altho there aren't really any places "right there", you'll have to walk a ways. Trains coming into Grand Rapids often stop here for signal just off to the left of the picture, making it a little easier to snap one off. I don't know if they still visit, but I often saw CPR engines on stuff coming into town this way.
As for places to stay and eat, 28th St off i96 exit 43 has just about anything you want, including your choice of at least 11 hotels. I'm sure there are other places too off other exits, but I never had the time to search them out. The big chain stores are Target and Walmart.
As always, if anyone has additional info, please send it to me at toddgp30@verizon.net.
Here are the local radio freqs I found in a blog, so I can't attest to their accuracy, altho the .230 and .320 freqs are used system wide on CSX. The 160.800 freq was a channel used by the Pennsy before the Penn Central days, as the Northern Central going by my house in Towson MD used it.
The Amtrak station, which is just north of the CSX
wye. Amtrak, according to one source of info found on the web, now
ties their Chicago commuter train up overnight at the Grand Rapids and
Eastern facility because it is safer than leaving it here. Access is
easy from most anywhere because of the interchange off 131 at Wealthy St.
The CSX wye, just south of the Amtrak station.
A CSX freight heading south off the right leg of the above
wye.
A couple of shots of CSX's Wyoming Yard and the car repair facility.
CSX overpass just north of the airpost on Patterson... they went to a lot of
trouble to "make" the Chessie System logo, so I guess they decided to keep
it around! That's good for us. Inbound freights will often stop
here waiting for a clear signal.
This is the HQ for the Grand Rapids and Eastern, along with the interchange
with CSX, and a diamond with them. In all of my visits to Grand
Rapids, pictures of them operating always eluded me... Anyone have any
pictures they want to share with the rest of the world?
A couple of pictures of the Norfolk Southern, ex Conrail yard.
Adjacent to the Chessie System overpass is this private
small scale railroad. Don't know much about it other than during the
years I visited Grand Rapids (1998-2002), the loop was in progress.
This is also why my maps contain the notice that the info hasn't been field
checked for ten years.
NEW 06/20/2009
Last Modified
23-May-2010