Detroit Railfanning

[NickThatRailfan]

I was originally gonna go to YD in River Rouge, but quickly decided not to after hearing about the crime in that area. I was looking for some suggestions in the Detroit area to railfan that would be relatively safe, but also be scenic for photographing trains. If anyone has any suggestions, thank you in advance.

[David Collins]

I was originally gonna go to YD in River Rouge, but quickly decided not to after hearing about the crime in that area. I was looking for some suggestions in the Detroit area to railfan that would be relatively safe, but also be scenic for photographing trains. If anyone has any suggestions, thank you in advance.

YD and Delray are perfectly safe as long as you make sure you don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself. I’ve pulled multiple all nighters at Delray and have never had a problem.

[NickThatRailfan]

I was originally gonna go to YD in River Rouge, but quickly decided not to after hearing about the crime in that area. I was looking for some suggestions in the Detroit area to railfan that would be relatively safe, but also be scenic for photographing trains. If anyone has any suggestions, thank you in advance.

YD and Delray are perfectly safe as long as you make sure you don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself. I’ve pulled multiple all nighters at Delray and have never had a problem.

With this weather I'd just sit in my car with my scanner until I know a trains coming, so I should be fine then.

[ConrailDetr​oit]

This time of year at all of the junctions; Delray, Milwaukee Jct, YD, CP Lou, Beaubien, etc. Going in the morning so enough time to make the daylight and time and transportation costs worth it. And most the Conrail locals from North Yard and Livernois work onto the gritty branch lines around the city in the morning.

If that concerned about safety interfering with enjoying watching the passing of trains and being the decision factor as to where to go; and over the age of 21 with no felonies (past or impending), you may apply for a Concealed Pistol License here in Michigan and carry a pistol publicly.

[CSXBOY]

Honestly just go to Ohio this time of year. Toledo is only 50 miles. You'll see plenty of train action way more than in detroit.

[MQT1223]

If you can't go to Detroit due to the crime you will never be able to go anywhere. Crime is everywhere, and some of the best places to see trains are in urban locations. Detroit, Toledo, Chicago... etc. All places with crime and all places with great railfanning locations.

[CSXBOY]

I'm just going out on a limb and saying I'd rather take my chances at a place like Pine Junction in Gary IN where there's over 100 trains a day not to mention cool CN pulldowns and etc than anywhere in Detroit.

[Delray]

Romulus is pretty good and a rather peaceful spot to hang out. CSX, CP & NS

[NickThatRailfan]

I'm just going out on a limb and saying I'd rather take my chances at a place like Pine Junction in Gary IN where there's over 100 trains a day not to mention cool CN pulldowns and etc than anywhere in Detroit.

I'd rather be in Ohio or Indiana currently, but my dad says money's tight so we can't. Only reason were hear is becuase we had to pick my Grandma up from the airport.

[NickThatRailfan]

Romulus is pretty good and a rather peaceful spot to hang out. CSX, CP & NS

Yep, currently in Romulus, I like it here. Other than the one time some teens my age were threatening to steal my camera by holding me ar gun point lol after I said we can't buy them alcohol lol. It was funny and nerve-wracking at the sametime.

[CSXBOY]

Romulus is the one place I like going in the Detroit area. Not the busiest place. But you get three railroads and it has its moments of activity. Just gotta be patient and bring a magazine or book. Like everywhere in Michigan. I never go to Romulus after dark due to that issue you just described. In the morning it's peaceful and you do get a good dose action with CSX M511, CSX I151, NS 188, CPKC 130 and maybe a late CSX b522 as well if that even still runs. I haven't been to Romulus since like June so I don't know anything.

[CSXBOY]

If you can't go to Detroit due to the crime you will never be able to go anywhere. Crime is everywhere, and some of the best places to see trains are in urban locations. Detroit, Toledo, Chicago... etc. All places with crime and all places with great railfanning locations.

That's why we have to appreciate the hell out of places like Deshler and Durand nowadays. Out of anywhere I go in our area those two are the most comfortable places for me. I've been at Durand to past 1 am sometimes and I've camped out in Deshler once too. That's just my take. We have to appreciate those places while they're still here cuz you never know what could it be like 30 years from now. Hell I'm taking a risk by bringing my dog who's a rescue and afraid of everything to deshler next week. That's just how comfortable I am with Deshler.

[313 Railfan]

Delray isn’t that bad, but if you want somewhere safer Downriver is a pretty safe area, but train traffic is pretty low currently. Especially on NS. But it all comes in rushes, you just gotta go at the right time and it can be busy.

In the morning you get CN M383/M382, CN E251, NS 10N, NS 333, and a couple locals between 7am and 1pm. After that it’s dead till CN L507 makes its mid afternoon run out of Flat Rock. Sometimes CN Q116 will be mid afternoon as well. If not then early evening.

7pm-11pm can be a little busy as well, You’ll typically get CN A484, CN A485, CN L508, CN L573 (M-F only) NS 253, NS 254, NS 334

The NBs on the NS (11N, 334, 254) are hard to predict as they can go through the area at any time.

[CSXBOY]

You have to some serious guts to railfan after 7 pm in delray. That's when the druggies tend to come out lol

[blueheron13]

I was at Delray yesterday (1/6/25) for an hour or so in the middle of the evening.
Train count: 4 (CN A484, CN L508, CR LV31 staging CSX I131, and CSX L303 turning power)
Count of pedestrians of any kind (including druggies): 0

That said, I've noticed that on warmer weather evenings, especially on weekends, lots of noisy, souped-up street-racing motorcycles and other loud and fast vehicles may pass by. The same types of vehicles you'll see pass you at well over 100 mph on the freeway, crazily weaving through traffic and scaring the crap out of you.

[GTW6401]

You can railfan downriver after 7pm, as Wyandotte isn't Detroit. Wyandotte is a really nice area to visit, especially in the summer.

Romulus has gotten better since Sheetz opened. It's open 24 hours and relatively close to the diamond.

[ConrailDetr​oit]

You have to some serious guts to railfan after 7 pm in delray. That's when the druggies tend to come out lol

Druggies everywhere are more of a annoyance than a personal safety threat.

[joeyuboats]

Personally--- I would not go anywhere near Detroit, anytime. Born and raised there, used to be great. But as the years go by, don't need it, don't want it. BUT, that is just me--- too old and sick to do anything, or go anywhere.

[CSXBOY]

I mean if i truly want CSX and NS action I just go to Ohio. CSX in Deshler and North Baltimore and NS either west or east of Toledo. If I want CN I just go to Durand or Lansing. No need to go to Detroit.

[kd_1014]

I mean if i truly want CSX and NS action I just go to Ohio. CSX in Deshler and North Baltimore and NS either west or east of Toledo. If I want CN I just go to Durand or Lansing. No need to go to Detroit.

If I had a nickel for every time you have said something like this, I could probably buy a gallon of gas.