Railfanning in the Solar Eclipse

[MQT1223]

Anybody have some good locations for shooting trains that are in the path of the solar eclipse? I know I'll have to drive closer to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne for any long durations of totality and I'm prepared to do so. I have been looking at Ohio and Indiana for a spot and I'd like to have as many opportunities as possible. Doubt I'll have this experience ever again.

[J T]

Well, it'll be easy to track the Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak trains if you want to time it just right for catching one of those during totality. Otherwise I think it would be more a matter of luck to catch a freight during that moment and in a decent location.

*Edit: If you were to go to Illinois. Didn't notice you had posted this in the Indiana Talk section.

[CSXBOY]

Deshler Ohio. The Toledo area as well. North Baltimore too.

[MQT1223]

Deshler Ohio. The Toledo area as well. North Baltimore too.

Dude… wrong STATE.

[MQT1223]

Well, it'll be easy to track the Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak trains if you want to time it just right for catching one of those during totality. Otherwise I think it would be more a matter of luck to catch a freight during that moment and in a decent location.

*Edit: If you were to go to Illinois. Didn't notice you had posted this in the Indiana Talk section.

Nah I’m just making this a one day affair. Saving my PTO for 2816 and 4014.

Plus some of the hotel rates down there are absolutely bonkers

[J T]

Yeah, I’m sure people have had rooms reserved for a few years now too.

If I didn’t have to work, I’d just leave early in the morning and come back in the evening. Done that plenty of times shooting trains in Illinois and Indiana anyway. And since it’s in the middle of the day, there wouldn’t be any reason for me to get a hotel.

[justalurker66]

I will be in Sandusky. I considered Indianapolis but decided to go east instead of south to get into the path of totality. No rail fanning planned.

Draw a line from Muncie to Evansville and pick your favorite spot. Then plan on a long trip home as everyone else that drove into the path of totality finds their way home. (I will be spending Monday night in Sandusky so I won't have to fight too much traffic after the event. The hotel price was reasonable.)

[justalurker66]

Based on my lack of success of getting any pictures of the eclipse (I could not get my camera to focus) trying to incorporate a train into the image would have been a major challenge.

I saw a few "horror stories" about slow traffic on the way out of where they were for totality. I managed to avoid the post peak rush for a restaurant, gas station or road home.

[MQT1223]

Based on my lack of success of getting any pictures of the eclipse (I could not get my camera to focus) trying to incorporate a train into the image would have been a major challenge.

I saw a few "horror stories" about slow traffic on the way out of where they were for totality. I managed to avoid the post peak rush for a restaurant, gas station or road home.

I ended up going to Deshler. Probably the best choice I made. Not as far south and traffic was not a factor. Got a train just before the totality set in and it lasted through the whole event.