Best Railfanning Spot in Michigan

[bnsfben]

Okay, me and my friend have been wanting to go somewhere that is a little busier than Durand. And we also want it to be within 1.5 hours from my house (I live in Rochester). Yes, I know Delray is very busy, but we want a comfortable place to railfan. I have been to Durand, Lapeer, Imlay City and Birmingham. Never really any other place. I have been to the Port Huron tunnel, but have had really bad luck there, has anyone else had good luck in Port Huron? We will probably be staying where ever we go for about 9-10 hours. We would like to see atleast 10 trains in that time.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[sd70accsxt700]

OHIO

[redside20]

OHIO

[bnsfben]

I KNOW OHIO! Even Matt knows I go there. But we want to go somewhere closer.

[sd70accsxt700]

In all seriousness, Ben, Lansing, maybe, no where else within a hour and a half from northern Detroit, with the exception of Delray, that you said you did not want to do, is going to have that kind of traffic. That is based on all the places you alrady listed. Just not going to happen. Only place i can think that you could see that much action at is Romulis, or somewhere on the Detroit line. But if you are talking about pulling up a chair like at Durand and not moving, your out of luck.

[Shorthaul]

Romulus, you can park at the back of the bank lot and nobody will bother you. Best choice if you want to see mainline road trains.

Wyandotte may give you some ok levels of traffic, but it's better in the evening/at night. Park at the American Legion or whatever it is on Oak Street. Let CharlieX90 know if you're going to be there.

Delray is fine, my #1 choice, I have been there with no vehicle for 2-1/2 hours, never felt threatened. Urban violence is generally overplayed, and occurs mostly between gang members. If you have a vehicle, you will be 100% safe during the day. It sees more traffic than anywhere else in the state, although there are a lot of short locals and switching moves, which isn't always bad.

By the way, google maps tells me 1 hour 33 minutes from Rochester to Toledo, so Ohio may be your best bet.

[nssd70m-2]

OHIO

[Avnx]

Delray is fine, my #1 choice, I have been there with no vehicle for 2-1/2 hours, never felt threatened. Urban violence is generally overplayed, and occurs mostly between gang members. If you have a vehicle, you will be 100% safe during the day

Don't forget to keep an eye out for the packs of feral dogs, seen many of them running around that area during the day.

[canpac08]

Del Ray is a great place but any where from Romulus, to Milwaukee Junction can be great places to watch sit and watch trains. I would not spend a lot of Time in the Del Ray area after dark but, during day light its not to bad. Though in experience I have had more trouble at Del Ray during the day then after dark. but like said before as long as you stay close to your car you'll be fine or should be. Of course I have yet to see any of the wild packs of Dogs, Seen alot in the Del Ray area including a Coyote, but no packs of dogs.

[Trainman2223]

Iv had great luck in Wyandotte (my fav spot) the American Legion hall is a good parking spot if you don't want to walk to catch trains. I Park in the lot south west of that a little more shade during the daytime. Best days iv noticed for Wyandotte are mon thrs and fri...just my observations.

[LSRC]

I'm partial to the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland trifecta (assuming it's a weekday). If you know where to look, you can be chasing different trains all day long without any lulls. But, you did say "spot", not "multiple cities and surrounding communities."

[TrainWatcher]

Romulus. NS and CP are doing ok right now and throw in Q322, Q321, D716, Q334, and Q335 and even maybe Q233 and Q234 is not too bad. Park at Comerica in the area closest to the tracks for NS. Near the Old Chessie Caboose in the park is great for signal bridge shots of Southbounds.

[JANGAJONGA]

OHIO

.

[JANGAJONGA]

delray.

[AARR]

Thompsonville

[conrailmike]

EDIT: If there were more trains, and I mean a LOT more... then my favorite place would be my backyard. But since there aren't......OHIO.

[SW]

Plymouth, if I don't feel like driving, and then only at certain parts of the day. Otherwise, OHIO.

[GTW6401]

The Southwest side of Detroit and surrounding suburbs are the best areas to railfan in Michigan, but I never sit in the same spot.

You'll miss about 3/4ths of the trains around if you sit in certain places, like missing everything coming into Oakwood off the Detroit Line at CP-YD. You'll never see those trains at Delray, nor will you see everything heading west out of either Oakwood or Rougemere.

[Crow T Robot]

Montana

[Jochs]

Well, I'd say Elkhart, IN
It's only a few miles south of the MI/IN border

Trowbridge used to be a good spot. Could still be if you hit it at the right time.