Keys to chasing trains

[ConrailDetr​oit]

Honestly with Detroit it is almost like a nuclear war zone with amount of despair there is. It is quite sad.

It is what you make it. Unless you are a victim.

[DaveO]

And I will again ask, CSXBOY when did you last drive/visit Detroit?
My years of experience driving/visiting the Metro Detroit area seems to be different than yours.

[Chip]

And I will again ask, CSXBOY when did you last drive/visit Detroit?
My years of experience driving/visiting the Metro Detroit area seems to be different than yours.

Metro Detroit is a completely different world than Detroit proper....

[DaveO]

I've had a driver license for just short of 60 years.
I've been all over the City of Detroit which is of course part of Metro Detroit.
Even worked for a private school bus contractor serving Detroit Public Schools.

[Saturnalia]

Avoiding tickets shouldn’t be what keeps you from violating traffic laws: concern for yourself and your fellow citizens should be the reason!!

Tickets are there to enforce morality for those too stupid to follow it on their own.

[Jochs]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana, but are not in Ohio and Michigan.

...Just a tip, dont even think about speeding in Ohio with a Michigan Plate. They are known hide to in cornfields and will pull any Michigander over

Watch out for speed traps. Don't go with the flow of traffic if the traffic is all speeding, especially around Bowling Green. On Labor Day, 2006, I was coming back from a family reunion in PA, and was on US 6 doing the same speed as the flow of traffic, which was about 70 in a 55, and the police had the highway shut down before an interchange (not I-75) and had traffic directed onto the exit ramp, to a fleet of Ohio State Police cars, and the police cars began pulling cars over, including myself. This was the last speeding ticket I got. I don't know if the OH drivers got tickets.
I also remember the MSP pulling people over on US 12 when they were speeding, trying to chase the 4449 in 2009, which was doing 79 mph. (I caught it at Michigan City, Dowagiac, Battle Creek, and Durand.)


If you are, for example, trying to chase the PM 1225, keep in mind that you can't catch it at every crossing, and many rural roads in central MI are unpaved and very slippery when it is raining. Bring a friend, and a Michigan Gazetteer/Atlas by Delorme, and have the friend be the navigator.

No photo is worth risking your life of someone else's, or getting a ticket over.

[J T]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana

How would they even know that you have a scanner app going on your phone?

[kd_1014]

I'd better keep you away from my mustang then... Anyway all jokes aside, Okay I have been chasing trains ever since I got my license back in 2018. Usually what works for me are the following

1. ATCS Monitor and Chrome Remote Desktop. This is a very handy weapon use to chasing trains. This is arguably why I am more successful with the CN Flint Sub compared to most people. Just using this I end up with days where I see more than 7 CN trains in places like Durand, Lansing and Port Huron. It really helps you. I am being dead serious. Like when its dead all night its gonna be busy all day. When its busy at night you are in for a slow day

2. Dont be an IDOIT please. Here in Plymouth/Livonia, we have so many people around here who dont know how to drive or act like they shouldn't have a license or they drive beat up cars that got smashed in. Traffic is already bad enough due to construction on I 275 and I 96 and everyone being rerouted to the urban roads. DONT chase in urban areas please. Its unsafe and not smart at all. You will get screwed at every traffic light imaginable. Keep it out in the sticks thats when its more fun anyway. Just obey the speed limits in the cities. You can get away with it a little in the country. Like when the limit is 55 sometimes I punch it to 65 to 70 mph. I am being dead serious. I would not also recommend bowing stop signs. It's too much of a risk with the fines

3. Have timetables and a scanner with you. Not all lines are supplied with ATCS as you should know. Having a scanner helps tremendously I do too have to get a scanner working. Timetables help you because they show what mileposts, control points and Hotbox detectors on each line. There are several online around here you can print out from each line

Anyway, get the car gassed up, dont be a dumb person and have fun out there! Wish you the best of luck chasing trains! Side note, everyone is entiled to a crap day trackside it happened to me several times but ever since I got my license it has become more fun. Occasionally I have buddies that join me that make it more fun or hell I go myself to escape the madness around here as I hate the suburbs

Just be a good risky driver and you can discard most things said in this essay.

[MQT1223]

Lots of factors to consider. I always try to pre-plan a route especially when I am going somewhere new. Most chasing takes practice with lots of trial and error to see what's possible and what's not. Every railroad and environment is different. Time of day, traffic, roads, double track and meets, diamonds... all things that can affect a chase and its outcome. You learn real quick what is doable and what's not.

Also depends on what you are willing to put yourself through to get that shot. You gotta do what you gotta do to get the shot. For example I got airborne between Charlotte and Potterville trying to beat a train to a second location and even with all of that I still didn't make it. Even though I didn't get another hit on them it was a valuable lesson for next time to just go to Lansing proper and not risk an attempt like that.

[MQT1223]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana

How would they even know that you have a scanner app going on your phone?

I just play dumb.

[J T]

Lots of factors to consider. I always try to pre-plan a route especially when I am going somewhere new. Most chasing takes practice with lots of trial and error to see what's possible and what's not. Every railroad and environment is different. Time of day, traffic, roads, double track and meets, diamonds... all things that can affect a chase and its outcome. You learn real quick what is doable and what's not.

Also depends on what you are willing to put yourself through to get that shot. You gotta do what you gotta do to get the shot. For example I got airborne between Charlotte and Potterville trying to beat a train to a second location and even with all of that I still didn't make it. Even though I didn't get another hit on them it was a valuable lesson for next time to just go to Lansing proper and not risk an attempt like that.

You haven't lived until you've blown through stops signs on country roads at 90mph in an attempt to get ahead of a train.

[Jochs]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana

How would they even know that you have a scanner app going on your phone?

I meant an actual scanner.

[SD80MAC]

Laws don't apply when chasing trains. If a cop does try to pull you over, don't stop until you're at your photo spot. The cop will be angry at first, however all you have to do is tell them that this is a "Railfan Emergency". They will instantly be relieved and maybe even offer to give you an escort next time.

[kd_1014]

Laws don't apply when chasing trains. If a cop does try to pull you over, don't stop until you're at your photo spot. The cop will be angry at first, however all you have to do is tell them that this is a "Railfan Emergency". They will instantly be relieved and maybe even offer to give you an escort next time.

Also, do not talk to the cop until AFTER you have gotten your shot. No need to risk time setting up your shot talking to some crazy cop.

[PatAzo]

Laws don't apply when chasing trains. If a cop does try to pull you over, don't stop until you're at your photo spot.

#3 applies here. https://youtu.be/uj0mtxXEGE8

[MQT1223]

Lots of factors to consider. I always try to pre-plan a route especially when I am going somewhere new. Most chasing takes practice with lots of trial and error to see what's possible and what's not. Every railroad and environment is different. Time of day, traffic, roads, double track and meets, diamonds... all things that can affect a chase and its outcome. You learn real quick what is doable and what's not.

Also depends on what you are willing to put yourself through to get that shot. You gotta do what you gotta do to get the shot. For example I got airborne between Charlotte and Potterville trying to beat a train to a second location and even with all of that I still didn't make it. Even though I didn't get another hit on them it was a valuable lesson for next time to just go to Lansing proper and not risk an attempt like that.

You haven't lived until you've blown through stops signs on country roads at 90mph in an attempt to get ahead of a train.

Been there done that. How do you think the Subaru got airborne? Treat rural stop lights as 4 way stops too. Do a little illegal passing here and there as long as its within reason.

[PatAzo]

Do a little illegal passing here and there as long as its within reason.

In the event of an accident how will you make a case that it was reasonable?

[J T]

I meant an actual scanner.

Yeah, I know what you meant. That's why everyone should use a scanner app on their phone when in a state where a scanner is illegal. Again, how would they know?

[David Collins]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana, but are not in Ohio and Michigan.

Uh oh, I used mine in Elkhart...

[MQT1223]

Scanners are still illegal in Indiana, but are not in Ohio and Michigan.

Uh oh, I used mine in Elkhart...

I've used scanners down that way. If a cop runs into you just explain to them that you weren't aware of the law and that you are only listening in on train traffic. At least, that's the statement I have prepared.