I'll be returning home to Texas in early April, and my travels will take me straight through St. Louis, whereupon I'll hit I-44 southwest for the run into Oklahoma. Besides the Transport Museum, where are the best places to shoot St. Louis RR action that doesn't involve harassment by RR cops or threat of violence by gangs? Thanks in advance.
The Kirkwood Amtrak station is probably the best place. Nice, safe, clean, the area around it is considered "high-dollar." It's at the corner of Kirkwood Road (also known as Lindbergh Blvd.) and Argonne St. The Kirkwood Police station and city hall is right across the tracks from the depot and you can usually park in their lot and hang out. There are other lots right there at all corners of the intersection. It's all UP and Amtrak, but can be quite busy. It's the same line that goes past the Transportation Museum and is only about 10 minutes away from there on the other side of I-270. About 2 blocks south of the depot is a hobby shop...not the best selection, but the folks are friendly enough. About a mile south of the Kirkwood Depot on Kirkwood Road is the BNSF Cuba sub...not near as busy as the UP line. Just take I-44 to the Kirkwood Road/Lindbergh Blvd exit and go north, first you will cross BNSF, then come to the Depot.
also on the Ill side on I55/70 take the Ill route 203 north past the racetrack over a bridge theres a bunch of old passenger cars. keep going on 203 to i f i remember right 20th street, theres a steel mill there Granite City Steel follow the truck route at the 4 way stop left and you'll see the TRRA yard area from another bridge. theres some other spots but theyre not in the best of areas. tom
