The Dredgby Division: Railfanning

What is railfanning?

Also know as train spotting, rail fanning is a celebration of the transportation technology of steel wheels on steel rails. In today’s computer age, it may seem odd to refer to this as technology – but the development of modern railroads made our industrial age and today’s economy possible. Railfanning is a hobby that consists of any number of ways to enjoy the operations of today’s railroads. It includes things like watching trains from your favorite location or hotspot, riding trains for the fun of it, collecting memorabilia, attending railroad shows, photographing trains, and tracking the movement of trains via scanner.

Railfanning along the Milwaukee Road’s Dredgby Division

To most citizens of Milwaukee, the railroad is "invisible" and operates largely unnoticed except when it causes delays at road crossings. Yet to those who appreciate the art and technology of railroading, this "hidden world" offers a treasure of experiences. Like all railroad operations, certain locations provide the public with convenient and legal access. Along the Dredgby Division, some great locations are located along:

	34th Street Corridor
	C & M Division
	Hiawatha Route
	Dredgby Junction
	Valley Yard
	Favorites

Good railfanning spots have public access, facilities for refreshment, comfortable places to sit, and panoramic views of the passing trains. It helps when Interlocking Signals are present, as these give railfans an idea when a dispatcher has authorized a train to occupy a section of track.

Where are the best "hotspots" along the Dredgby Division?

We could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you. Just kidding! Seriously, part of the fun of railfanning is discovering the locations where the action is. We try to keep our favorite spots secret, because then we are free to enjoy the views and take pictures without having to work around a crowd. If you want to find great railroad locations, consult past and current issues of Trains Magazine, check on the Internet (Using Google, do a keyword search for railfanning and specify the state, area, or railroad of your choice). If you want to find some locations along the Milwaukee Road, just stop by Sturtevant’s depot and ask some of the old-time railfans that frequent that great location. Once you gain the confidence of most railfans, they are usually happy to share with you bits and pieces of railroading they have learned over the years.

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