Las Vegas, Nevada (North)Map and
Railfan Info Created: 6-8-2001
Mileage to major cities and other points of interest.
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 280 miles (S); Bakersfield, CA 283 miles
(SW); Salt Lake City, UT 421 miles (N); Phoenix, AZ
301 miles (SE); Reno, NV 425 miles (NW).
Overview
Who: Union Pacific.
What
to expect: Las Vegas offers a unique railfanning experience.
Where else can you go and get Class 1 railroading, as well as casinos in
the same background! The trains running through Vegas are long and usually
loaded with power. I.E. 3 engines or more up front. This stems from the
many mountain passes that are encountered by the UP, between Salt Lake
City and LA, the two major hubs serviced by the line. You'll probably
see 20 to 25 trains during a 24 hr period, with numerous locals to keep
you busy. The train consists will be a mix of coal, auto, intermodal, grain,
and general freight. There is also the occasional unit military train,
and if you're real lucky a BNSF will pass through on trackage rights. A
warning: Be aware that throughout Vegas, the tracks border the not so good
parts of town. Notice your surroundings and "neighbors" and stay out of
trouble. This is generally true from around Cheyenne Ave. to the north,
until Russell Rd in the south, approx. 10 miles. Amenities: Well
this is an easy one. There is absolutely no shortage of places to stay,
eat, or whatever in Vegas. If you haven't heard, then uhhh, never mind!
When
to go: Well you'll need to decide on your tolerance level. The summers
are pretty hot, and the winters can get really cold. Spring and fall are
all right. I would suggest the spring, for much the same reason I always
suggest spring. Longer days, fresh foliage in bloom, and nice temperatures.
If you chose the summer, remember to bring plenty of water. Winter has
a plus too, the sun's location in the sky really highlights the westbound
trains without the harsh glare that you'll get during summer. Unfortunately,
eastbound trains really suffer, except for the few places where the tracks
zig zag off their normal SW to NE course. How to get there:
Airplane, Bus, Car, but ironically no trains! Las Vegas currently has no
Amtrak service, but there are plans in the works to get some Talgo trains
running between Las Vegas and LA. Anyhow, getting to Las Vegas is fairly
easy. For the northern reaches of UP in Las Vegas, find I-15 and go north
to Craig Rd. ( about 5 miles ) and turn left. Tracks are directly ahead,
or continue on I-15 until you reach the Apex exit # 58 ( approx. 10 miles
from Craig Road ). Then turn left. Tracks dead ahead. For info on locations
south of Las Vegas go here.
Specific Sites - I.E. UP stations Follow the station link for pictures at that station
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Las Vegas
334.3
N/A 3 mains here
2042'
20
This is downtown, Charleston and I- 15.
You should see a large tower with a big UP shield attached to it. This
is where the crews change trains. Usually this is a quick process. If a
particular trains is not "called out", then often times the dispatcher
will set them up on one of the 3 mains found here. The railroad seems pretty
tolerant of using their parking lot to take pictures, Just stay out of
the way and well back from the tracks. Also there is a side road leading
past the wall at the east end of the station ... Do Not go down there.
You'll find yourself meeting UP Police or Vegas' finest or both! Just a
warning. If you head south from the crew change point there are numerous
locations to access the tracks. Go exploring as there are to many to list.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Wann
337.8 - 339.7
8974'
1909'
60
Probably the hardest siding to explore.
The southern half from Craig Rd to Cheyenne Rd is sandwiched between I-15
and numerous businesses that line the tracks. If you want to walk you could
do this although it probably isn't worth the trouble. Fairly boring for
scenery. North of Craig Rd. is ok. The tracks parallel Donovan Way and
lead all the way to Valley... the next station.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Valley
341.6 - 343.5
9232'
2022'
60
Valley is the location of a sizable auto
loading ( more like unloading ) facility. There are usually 2 trains per
day making the run to Long Beach and both almost always stop at Valley
for a set out. All lumber coming into town stops here, as well as several
concrete cars. The siding also leads to Nellis Air Force Base, but I don't
ever see any traffic on it that isn't just being staged there. I really
don't think the Air Force is using the trains for anything, at least not
here. Anther siding a little more north that led to the base has been torn
up, you'll see that heading north on the interstate. Accessing Valley is
actually harder than it looks. You need to use a dirt service road on the
opposite side of the tracks from the paved one. Get here by crossing the
tracks back at Craig Rd. and taking the first right into the industrial
complex. Keep turning right toward the tracks until you come to the dirt
road. You'll have to hop the curb, but from there it is smooth sailing.
Once down at Valley, you'll have a front row seat at the workings going
on at the yard there.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Dike
346.1 - 347.3
6156'
2223'
60
To get to Dike continue down the dirt road
you used to get to Valley. Dike is a small siding that is mainly used to
store cars for later trains. There is almost always something out there.
The area between Valley and the next station at Apex provides a diverse
variety of scenes, with different angles and shots to frame your train
in. The big drawback is the inability to keep up with that really neat
train that just passed. Because of the condition of the road, be prepared
to let each one go, you'll never keep up. The only hope is that you heard
the dispatcher set up a meet somewhere rather close and then you might
have a chance. It is for this reason that I don't frequent the siding at
Dike, but rather prefer Wann, Valley, and Apex.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Apex
351.4 - 352.7
6074'
2480'
60
This site has become harder to negotiate
since one of the best place in the area was put into an off limits area.
Around fall of 2000 literally every road leading into and around Apex received
new No Trespassing signs. There are still some areas you can get to, but
as a general rule, the best stuff was placed out of reach. I'm waiting
to see how serious the owners are, and what happens. Already several of
the signs have been ruined, torn up, one even burned. ( This area was big
for the off road dirt bikers ). Stay Tuned.... The good news is the siding
can be reached still by using the UP road found out at Arrolime. To get
there just take I-15 to Apex, exit 58, Rte 604, or the northern end of
Las Vegas Blvd., better known as the "Strip." Make your exit and go north,
after passing under the tracks and going around the mountain, you'll see
a side road on your right. This is the NIS Branch line junction which you
see at this intersection. The bridge over the interstate leads to the plant
down near Lake Mead. Turn directly before the tracks and follow them back
to the siding.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Arrolime
353.8
N/A
2373'
60
This station is somewhat obscure, since
there is no siding here for reference. What is here is a small spur track
to a gypsum plant and a small spur to a concrete plant, both of which are
readily obvious when you get here. The tracks are easily accessed here
until they cross I-15, then you have to arrive from another location, so
read on. Morning and evening westbounds in the winter are best and morning
eastbounds are possible in the summer months. To get there, just take the
Apex exit off I-15 (#58) and follow that road around, this is Rte 604.
You'll pass the Apex siding and from there you can see the 2 plants, heck
it's only a mile from the siding. After the tracks cross I-15, it
is more difficult to reach, although not impossible. Take exit 64 off I-15.
Turn right and a small dirt road will lead back just past the barb wire
fence that line the interstate boundaries. Descent enough road that leads
to the bridge over the freeway, access to the tracks anywhere you feel
like parking and hoofing the 100 yards or so. Scenery here is not to bad
as your able to get the mountains in with little manmade clutter.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Garnet
356.0 - 357.8
8774'
2326'
35
The siding at Garnet is almost impossible
to reach. 90% of it is located entirely on land that also happens to contain
the main dump for Las Vegas. I was actually run off the side of a mountain
once that overlooked part of the siding, that was supposedly part of the
dumps' property. Anyway, what you can see is the west switch and about
100 yards of the siding before it turns into the canyon. This is nice since
the dispatcher likes this siding to make meets at. The best part of this
area is what you'll find around the mountain, just past the siding. First get off I-15 at exit 64, or if you
are coming from Apex and Arrolime, (which I suggest you do), just continue
on Rte 604 to US 93 and turn right under I-15 (Directly ahead of you are
the tracks, and the west switch is to the right. You'll see the signals.)
Either way you chose to get here, immediately past the on ramp, turn
left. This road leads to the dump check-in hut, which is immediately in
front of you. Continue going straight down the paved road that parallels
the highway, until it makes a HARD right turn and becomes dirt, be ready!
Follow this dirt road until you see the tracks. They'll appear on the right.
This whole process may be around 3 miles, from the interstate to the tracks.
From here explore. You'll be able to almost reach the east switch before
hitting a fence, or can go east and follow this road all the way around
to Dry Lake right beside the tracks. It is a UP road, but I have never
received any grief. (I think we are on BLM property here, which is all
legal.) The road is pretty good, but may not be suitable for cars. Several
nice spots. One word of caution. When you reach the overpass of the interstate,
the dirt road and the tracks are EXTREMELY CLOSE
together. The tracks are coming off a hard turn and you CAN
NOT see a train coming. I ALWAYS stop,
get out, and listen for an oncoming train before attempting to pass under
the freeway. Trust me on this one, it is scary to get caught in there,
it happened to me once. You've reached Dry Lake immediately around this
corner.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Dry Lake
362.6 - 363.9
6094'
2104'
60
Dry Lake is pretty nice. There's an old
water tower and some nice rock outcroppings and such to use for your shots.
To get here, you can follow the way mentioned above, coming from Garnet,
or follow a much easier way. Back at exit 64, get off the interstate and
turn left, and take the paved road immediately to the right, just past
the off ramp of I-15. If you are coming down Rte 604 from Apex and Arrolime,
continue straight across US 93 onto this same road and 5 miles later you're
at Dry Lake. The road is paved all the way out here, and turns to dirt
at the east switch. Be aware that there is one household way
out here, but I have never even seen the people who live there. There is
a dirt road that runs right next to the siding and offers various places
to stop for pictures. Dry Lake is another favorite for the dispatcher to
set up meets, I would bet that most occur here or at Garnet for trains
entering / leaving the Las Vegas valley. The best part of the Dry Lake
area might be the ability to get into many different locations and at various
elevations which allow for greater shot selection. One drawback is out
the east end of the siding, there are large power lines running to a substation
just off the road. These lines kill on of the best pictures possible at
Dry Lake, a shot looking east toward the magnificent mountains between
Nevada and Arizona. Oh well can't win them all.
Station
Mile Post
Siding Length in Feet
Elevation in Feet
Speed Limit / MPH
Ute
373.1 - 374.4
6101'
1935'
60
Ute is a very lonely place, not that some
of the others aren't too that we've covered, but this one in particular
is in the middle of BFE, as the saying goes. To get to Ute, there are 2
options. One is to continue on the dirt road that leaves north from the
siding at Dry Lake. This way keeps you right beside the tracks, but will
also require a truck to traverse. Doesn't need to be a 4X4 (except in rainy
weather), rather a vehicle with some sort of ground clearance. The other
way to Ute is a bit more reasonable. Take I-15 north, (if you are at Dry
Lake, you'll need to turn around and go back), to exit 80 and head west
to the tracks. They veer away from the interstate back at exit 75, but
are only 2 miles away along a well maintained, although bumpy dirt road. Once at Ute, you'll see what I mean about
desolation. The dirt road on the EAST side of the tracks will go to Moapa,
but I strongly recommend a 4X4. I almost got stuck in some very deep, dry
sand, before lucking out and then giving up on going any further. Anyway
back to Ute. Probably the best time to visit Ute would be in the morning
to get the western mountains as a backdrop to east or west bound trains.
Westbounds will have the best nose lit possibilities, especially in the
afternoon. For the broadside fans out there, you'll be in heaven
here, with broad, flat, unscarred (ie: trash, roads, towers, etc) terrain
all around the area, with neat little mesquite bushes, and small yucca
plants all around.
