You think it's going back in the direction of single family homes? Maybe. I expect there will be companies or individuals buying properties to convert into apartments, and hold as an investment , but I guess some of the market is also composed of people wanting the whole house to themselves.

Could you give me an example of a "tower on a gas station" in the fan? Not saying you're wrong. I just don't know what you're talking about.

Growth may be restricted in some areas, at least for a while. The fan is pretty much fully developed, and the "historical" factor already makes it difficult to change anything there. Although it could get more crowded if more houses are converted into apartment buildings.

The Tobacco Company. Best atmosphere in the city. Steak oscar, filet mignon, crab cakes, or seafood pasta.

I suppose. But it sounds more like a movie script - a domestic terrorist attack on a train transporting hazardous wastes?

Admittedly, I've seen youtube videos of train derailments with disastrous consequences - such as the total loss of a few homes in close proximity to the line. ...and that's the best case outcome for the hypothetical terrorist in this scenario. It just sounds like a very technical plan with a lot of variables and low expected yield. Probably easier to highjack an airplane, or (ironically) target a commuter train.

The public could benefit from knowing industrial train schedules. Suppose a commuter would prefer to take an alternate route to avoid being delayed by the passing of a long train at a RR crossing? Maybe a farmer could move his grazing cattle to another field father away from the tracks. Maybe my dad wouldn't have picked a camp site near lines with trains passing at 2am, blaring their air horns. Hell, I bet the timing of passing trains could significantly influence property values - I would want that info before buying a house. Etc.

Have you seen the (gross) movie "trainspotting"? That's a UK movie.

I've read that theory, but the amtrak schedules are obviously public knowledge, so how is that safe?

Perhaps industrial trains have unique security concerns, such as hobos (and transient murderers) riding the rails? I can't imagine someone foolish enough to attempt a real modern train robbery for raw coal or grain. Frankly, I don't see how knowing a trains schedule could significantly improve your odds of a successful robbery. The logistics of that operation are inconceivable. Any cargo worth that effort either wouldn't be traveling via rail in the first place, or would be seriously guarded (like Kim Jong Une's train).

Sorry - what are the specific security concerns to which you were referring?

I see. That all is interesting and helpful, so thanks. If I can somehow estimate the time for a likely train passing to within an approximately 2 hour period, I can make it work.

Agreed, but I still want the specific pic I described in OP. I live in the fan, and can't justify hanging around the canal all day just to pick up the train patterns.

Side note, I'm also planning to shoot (with a camera) the nearby heron rookery, now till March apparently being the optimal time of year for that (from what I've read).

But in both cases (trains and herons) the plan is to (as much as possible) pick the best times to increase the chances of optimal photos. I enjoy planning a good project - I'll appreciate the final product more.

That is helpful info. I should look for railway maps to see where the trains are coming from. Then buy an analog radio scanner to pick up broadcast axel counter reports. Should be able to estimate the arrival time based on published average train speeds (for a system consisting of the reported # of axels) and distance from the counter. Thanks 👍

Yeah too bad, but I might have found a resource for this. Will repost if so.

Thanks for the tip! BTW, glaced at your image posts - looks like a drone? Did you take those?

Having researched this I'm surprised to learn that industrial trains are so irregular, but apparently use a system of trains taking a particular route in a specific order.

But there is something "advanced train control system" or ATCS which has real time data on the locations of some trains. Some of that data is available on trainmon5, which I've submitted an application to join. Might end up being a dead end, but I'll report back.

Nice thanks!

Interesting approach ideas, thanks. I will keep them in mind.

But surely there must be a specific daily schedule? Commercial and industrial railways are (supposedly) tightly regulated and scheduled. Someone must have a document detailing info such as "Engine SFPK-166498 inbound from Norfolk to arrive between 14:22-14:27 EST, etc". I wouldn't be surprised if the AAR required all trains to have GPS.

Considering that all air traffic info is available in real time (via "air traffic" app), perhaps that same info is available for trains? Granted, the general population doesn't independently use railways the same way a private citizen may own and fly a plane, but I can come up with reasons why it would make sense to make train schedules public. I'll keep digging.