NS North District Line Tour
Bolton Road
In the winter time, Bolton Road is one of the best locations to shoot trains on the North District close to Atlanta. The road crosses the North District tracks between CP Bolton and CP Bridge. In the morning light is best for southbounds heading into the yard ( A good place to shoot 220 when he has KCS Power ). As the light swings over mode it is possible to shoot both directions in the afternoon with half nose light which is not difficult with the broadside angles available. The road has sidewalks on both sides and there is a center lane that you can park in to wait. The area, though once in the rougher parts of town has been significantly cleaned up but still be smart. One thing to watch out train wise, is getting blocked out by other trains, it is not unknown for NS to run two trains side by side through here. For the railfan the addition of the third has compounded this problem, as NS will probably park trains at the end of the third track at CP River.
———————————————————————————–
Parrott Avenue
Probably the best place to shoot trains in the immediate Atlanta area, the crossing is located at what is now known as CP River. Since early 2010 Parrott Avenue has become the north end of the third main that extends from here to Inman. Also at this location is the switch to the River branch, which branches off to both the left and right. The branch serves several customers including LaFarge Cement.
NOTE: Do not trespass here, NS police like to hang out here.
Photo opportunities are excellent here for much of the day all around for much of the day.
Summer
In the summer the light is good for Southbounds from sunrise to the beginning of the high sun period from the north side of the tracks. The best light though is in the evening for Northbounds, you can get some very nice telephoto shots of NB’s coming around the sharp curve. The side light is excellent so on can shoot southbounds as well if one gets broadside.
Winter
In the winter the crossing is primarily a afternoon and evening shot. In the morning you will only have nose light for SB’s. In the afternoon and evening however you can shoot trains going in either direction with half nose light.
————————————-
Chattahoochee River Bridge
The Chattahoochee River Bridge is an impressive steel structure which spans the Chattahoochee River
————————————-
Austell
Austell is where the line goes from running east / west to north/south compass speaking. There are few places along the track to get plenty of photos. This section of track from Austell to Atlanta also has Amtrak’s Southern Crescent (train 19 and 20) daily. The single track that diverges is the Alabama side that the Crescent runs on going to New Orleans. Just to the north of town is the Whitaker Intermodal yard. From the over pass there one can get some nice yard and main line photos.
NS G5A diverges onto the North District in Austell headed for Whitaker Yard.
Powder Springs
CP Cowart
CP Cowart is a relatively new signal location which controls the north end of Whitaker Yard.
NS 251 rolls by the signals at CP Cowart with a rare former Conrail SD40-2 leading. Photo taken at 4:10 PM
CP Foss
CP Foss is located about a half mile from Cowart.
Hiram
McPherson
Finch – Coots Lake
NS 251 at Coots Lake Road
Aragon
NS 251 Highballs down the straightaway north of downtown Aragon.
Rome
Dalton
Dalton, GA is located in the northwestern portion of the state on I-75 and is approximately 25 miles south of Chattanooga. This is where the CSX and NS cross each other in the middle of town. There are quite a few locations near the diamond to get photos. There is the area at the old Southern freight depot, a three level parking garage and just north of the Dalton Depot restaurant. There are several locations north of town to get very nice photos as well. These places are Waring and Cohutta. All of the above mentioned places are very good at different times of the day.
.jpg)
CSX Q-241 in Dalton, GA.
David | 
January 31, 2010 11:05 pm
Subscribe