Railfanning Hastings, NE???

[pwkrueger]

I'll be in Hastings this summer for a family reunion. Can anyone give some advice for railfanning in Hastings? Are the UP and BNSF lines equally busy or does one have more traffic than the other?

Any good family friendly spots to hang out and see trains? My 5-year old daughter likes trains and my wife can be pretty tolerant, especially if she has a knitting project with her.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[-chet]

There are a couple of industrial tracks east of town. The whole Hastings Naval Ammunition plant was once the junction of the Missouri Pacific line up from Superior to Juniata-Prosser. The CNW joined the ammo plant near Inland. I think there is a museum there at the plant showcasing the wartime production.

Downtown Hastings is busy. If you search "Hastings" in the Midwest trip reports forum, you'll see a few people have spent time there.

http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22171&highlight=hastings

 

[nwkrailfan]

The UP bypass around town can be photogenic with some big curves and the bridge over top the BNSF. As far as I know the BNSF mainline isn't very busy but the yard is.

 

[pwkrueger]

Thanks, I thought I had searched here but I must have been thinking of something else. This thread was helpful: http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22171

Paul