The first in the series of railfan guides called North American Rails has now been released and Volume 1 is titled "The BNSF Seligman Subdivision Across Arizona". This first ebook covers the Seligman Subdivision portion of the BNSF Transcontinental Mainline from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL. It is one of the most important mainlines in the United States hosting over 70 trains per day traveling on the "Transcon". Some are the most time sensitive freight trains on the rails, and they have to share those tracks with other unit trains, double-stacks, and general freights.
The information about the Kingman Area is the only location now displayed on this website. Although not presented in the same formate as my ebook, it still contains all of the information one would need to make for a very productive photo visit. If you enjoy the information and can find it useful and plan on visiting or want to read more about the Seligman Sub. then I suggest you go to the Purchasing ebooks and Photos page and pick up a copy of Volume 1 The BNSF Seligman Sub Across Arizona.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Photographers from all over the world come to various locations in the southwest USA along the "Transcon" because it is one of the most photogenic railroad areas in the country. These next several site pages are dedicated to one of the most popular areas of the Transcon called the Seligman Subdivision.
The Seligman Sub stretches from Needles, CA to Winslow, AZ and is host to some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery anywhere. From the rocky canyons of Kingman, AZ and Crozier Canyon, to the Pine Tree covered mountains around Williams, and Flagstaff, AZ, to the wide open deserts near Seligman, and Winslow, AZ, the Seligman Sub truly has it all.
Most of the photo locations I will describe in my ebook are easy to get to with some care. A regular vehicle will be able to travel to most of the locations, but I do recommend a high profile vehicle as in an SUV or a truck. A 4x4 is not really required, but it will be more versatile. This is not the place to test the endurance abilities of your sub compact.
Definitely read my site page on "what to expect in the desert". Print that page and carry it with you if you are planning a trip to this area. It contains sound advice that will help make your railfan adventure much more a success than if you showed up not knowing what to expect.
Towns along the Seligman Sub from west to east, are Needles, CA, followed by Kingman, Seligman, Williams, Flagstaff, and Winslow, AZ. Other locations of photographic interest would include Crozier Canyon, Yampai Summit, The Crookton Cutoff including Eagle Nest, Double A, and East Perrin, along with Williams Junction, Supai Summit, Darling, and finally Canyon Diablo.
The Seligman Sub is 293.5 miles long. Needles, CA is at the western end at milepost 578.0 with Winslow, AZ at the eastern end at milepost 284.5. The entire sub has double track with the northern track refered to as "Main 1" and obviously, the south track is called "Main 2". West bound trains generally use main 1, and conversely, east bound trains use main 2, but with a mainline as busy as this one, it is very common to have the dispatchers use either track for either direction at any time.
The tracks travel through some of the most diverse scenery anywhere. From desert to forests, and flatlands to mountains, the tracks will rise from an elevation of 456 feet at Topock, AZ to over 7300 feet just west of Flagstaff, AZ. Along the way, you will find some of the best locations to photograph trains, with some of the most spectacular scenery, anywhere in the southwest United States.
Some locations are rather obvious, and other ones are harder to get to requiring some help, with specific directions on how to get there. Also don't forget, that the sun angles have to be correct to achieve that spacial photograph. Throughout the "BNSF - Seligman Sub" site pages, I will make numerous suggestions on what time of day, or what time of the year would be better for your ability to have the sun at the best angle to provide a good photo. Suggestions will also be made to assist you in where to be during the day to help make your railfanning day as efficient and productive as possible. Several towns or locations have many good photo opportunities and I hope to give you advice to help you be at "the right place at the right time".
RAILROAD COMMUNICATION
Radio frequencies used by the BNSF are from Needles, CA to Seligman, AZ - Ch 1 160.650 AAR 36, and from Seligman, AZ to Winslow, AZ - Ch 2 160.935 AAR 55. The BNSF branch from Williams Junction to Phoenix, AZ is called the "Peavine" and also uses Ch 2 160.935 AAR 55 for its track from Williams Junction to the town of Ash Fork, AZ and CH 1 160.650 AAR 36 for the rest of the track between Ash Fork and Phoenix, AZ.
So enjoy the 5 site pages dedicated to the Seligman Sub, and let me help you with your journey through Arizona along the Seligman Subdivision of the BNSF Transcon.
