Quick Tour
Visiting Atlanta for a conference, sports event, or concert and want to do some railfanning? Only have a day or a couple hours? Well hopefully this guide will help you get to the good spots quickly.
Without a car
Staying at a hotel in midtown and have no car? Dont worry theres still plenty you can do without one, there’s alot of accessible spots even without riding MARTA.
- The railroad gulch
The gulch runs along the west side of downtown Atlanta, passing directly under the world congress center. There are plenty of overpasses in the area that provide safe enough viewing of the lines.
- Spring St.
Spring St. is the south end of the gulch and is one of the few ground level spots along the Atlanta terminal. The location is accessible via walking from midtown down Spring St. and then walking acrssthe Peters St. overpass. (which provides good views on its own) or can be accessed via the Garnett MARTA station. This area can be a little rough so use the necessary precautions. The views however make up for the area, in the evenings you can get great shots of southbounds with the Atlanta skyline in the background.
Riding MARTA
If your not that interested in hardcore railfan photography, MARTA is a nice way to see alot of trains. The North – South line is the best for a railfan, from Garnett station to East point the line parallels the terminal trackage, and from Arts Center to Doraville the line parallels the NS Piedmont Division. If you have time on your hands i would highly recommend riding the entire North – South line, its a especially good way to see the Griffin/AWP sub through Atlanta’s southside, which goes through Atlanta’s rougher neighborhoods. The line is also one of the only way to see NS’s Industry yard and NS’s Armour Yard. The East – West line isnt as interesting but i do recommend riding from Five Points to Kensington station as you get a good view of CSX’s Hulsey intermodal yard as well as one of MARTA’s maintenance facilities.
-Chamblee
For those not into “urban railfanning” Chamblee is close too Atlanta but still has more of small town feel to it. Chamblee is just a quick ride up the North – South line from midtown. Just get off at the station and walk a block north to the yard office. Usually you will find a couple of 4 axle units (Typically GP60’s) in attendance and a few out working. The piedmont is best in the summer, as in winter most of the traffic runs at night.
admin | 
October 18, 2009 1:04 am
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