How do I find out when certain trains move?

[5292nate]

Hi guys. I have a question that I would like answered ASAP. How do I find out when a certain train is moving? For example. Today, NS Illinios Terminal heritage unit came through my area. It was spotted locally in 4 areas. I missed it. It will likely be re-assigned to another train in Selkirk yard. How do I find out what train it will be on and when it will leave? People have called me a terrorist, for asking this question, but I'm sure you guys will understand. I would REALLY love to catch my first heritage unit, but it may be too late this time.

Thanks guys!

[PapaXpress]

https://www.heritageunits.com/

Google is your friend.

[mapitts]

Unfortunatley for railfans that info is now offline. After 9/11 all of that was taken down. CSX and BNSF would let you know approximate schedules though other websites. You could even download entire ETT's for BNSF. Reality of it is that they cannot do that kind of stuff under the Homeland Security Act. All you can do now is find train symbols and departure / destinations. Your best bet for the info you want is to talk with someone that works on that railroad if you know anyone. Thanks to this you have now even seen a huge increase in RR police as well. NS has a marked patrol cruiser in my little town now.

Got bumped by Pappa. Never seen that one before. Must be a railfan site.

[5292nate]

Well, heritageunits.com is how I found out it was here to begin with. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone in the business.

[NS9030]

I'm sure you understand that after 9/11 railroads have had to take extreme precaution with that stuff. There were a lot of threats made to railroads. CN is super strict here in Toledo about tresspassers. Its usually jail or a fine if you do. CSX doesn't play around either. Its all for a good reason though.

GOD FORBID THEY BLOW UP A HERITAGE ENGINE!! the extreme foamers would go crazy

[5292nate]

I'm 15 and my 2 bros, are 14 and 8. Once, we crossed paths with the RR police, and the guy was nice. He said to step way back. The train was coming at 5 mph and was a tank train. We were a good 18-20 feet away from the tracks, and I was told previously, that 20 feet was the legal limit. It was rather humiliating. My mom saw it, and as the train passed I saw the whole, 3 person crew, on the engineers side staring at us and pointing. That was one of my more memorable trips. Very embarrassing.

[Chacal]

I'm sure you understand that after 9/11 railroads have had to take extreme precaution with that stuff ... Its all for a good reason though.

No I don't and no it's not.
It's called "Paranoia".

[5292nate]

It's a pain. Terrorists are not going to blow up a freight train. My father says, that terrorists want mass bloodshed. Blowing up a unit tank train may wipe out 10 people. 20 at the most. Blowing up a unit tank train is going to be more if a economical hit.

[mapitts]

I'm sure you understand that after 9/11 railroads have had to take extreme precaution with that stuff ... Its all for a good reason though.

No I don't and no it's not.
It's called "Paranoia".

Agreed 100%. But it is the world we live in now. I work in a chemical plant. You should see what it is like as an EMPLOYEE. Unfortunatley we are in a hobby that is also a threat. It is what it is. I still have my contacts. Last weekend I "checked in" with the local freight office with my railfan nephew with me. Told them where we were going to be that night and they had my cell phone number if they needed me. It was cold & windy, so we settled in the cab of a idling and quite warm pair of GP40-2's. We sat there for a while and watched trains go by with my nephew was in the "big" seat. Yes we get to ride the cab in the pusher from time to time. On one of the shifts the guy is a Mustang freak. I happen to be one too and the proud owner of a 2012 GT some what modified. That is an ice breaker for sure and kills two birds with one stone. We talk cars and I get to get cab rides.

[1225fan5358]

Yeah, CSX is the worst. Me, 20 ft away from their property with a camera and they we me as a "terrorist". Very little Railroads have gotten any threats if at all. Nobody cares about a freight train. All those people want is mass bloodshed. So, Amtrak is the only one that should be worried IF at all. I find CSX worse than any other in my opinion. dern terrorists, wish they wouldn't have to ruin it for the rest of us. And just saying, I'm horrible to say this but, Osama never told his people the gender those 72 virgins would be.

[5292nate]

Tis true. Even an Amtrak train doesn't have enough people on it.

[NS9030]

Ok I guess Chacal is right but back on topic, you might want to join a message board where you can get a heads up when a heritage unit is near you. Or you could be like me and get lucky enough to see 1 special unit out of NS' thousands lol.

[1225fan5358]

My first was amtk156 by chance on the Pere Marquette! The first train of 2013!