Mine Dock Park & Iona Island

@ironman1 posted:

While the weather is still favorable I was thinking of taking my Grandsons for some train watching. Is anyone familiar with these locations in Westchester & which days & time of day would be best for watching (week day or week end)?

Thanks,

Joe

For those of us that never heard of this park, what state & area are you referring to?

I was trying to narrow down the possible flood of hypothetical suggestions, to replies mostly from people that are familiar. I live in Yonkers, New York, which is in the county of Westchester. Some people might consider it upstate NY but to me Albany is upstate. The locations are near Bear Mountain State park & Fort Montgomery. It's about 45 minutes from my house. It's near

BTW, thanks for the reply Hot Water.

Both these areas are good railfanning spots. Mine Dock Park is cool because of the tunnel built into the rock outcroppings.  Park is located off of Route 9W, in Highland, Orange County - north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. There is a signal down there so it is easier to anticipate a train if no scanner is available.

Iona Island is located off of Route 9W, south of the Bear Mountain Bridge in Stony Point (Rockland County). Much open area near the tracks. When tides are in or after much rain, the road off of 9W into Iona can be wet and even under some water.

If no scanner, look up broadcastify.com and download the CSX River Sub -Newburgh Area

Hope this helps!

Thanks Henry, I'll check it out.

Here are a few images from that neck of the woods. Note there is freight on the west side of the river and commuter on the east. The first shot is looking south onto the Bear Mt Bridge.

I like this area for a day of railfanning. Please be aware - if yiou are going to walk along the tracks, it becomes very narrow in places. Don't put yourself, or others in danger by being to close to the tracks. You have to see one dangling piece of metal or broken strap to be in grave danger.

There is also some excellent birding in the area if your into that sort of thing.

Enjoy your day there.

Paul

I live in White Plains, and both places are nice and scenic. I go alot to Congers, NY which is across the Tappan Zee up from the Palisades Mall. There is a old New York Central station with tables and benches. And there is a pizza place and a deli adjacent to the tracks. Check it out, its a lot closer.

@ironman1 posted:

I was trying to narrow down the possible flood of hypothetical suggestions, to replies mostly from people that are familiar. I live in Yonkers, New York, which is in the county of Westchester. Some people might consider it upstate NY but to me Albany is upstate. The locations are near Bear Mountain State park & Fort Montgomery. It's about 45 minutes from my house. It's near

ironman1 - I grew up in Staten Island - to me The Bronx was upstate

Henry, I know what you mean. I use to work in Manhattan & to people that live there, Yonkers was upstate. That was always worth a chuckle.

Went to Mine Dock Park yesterday with my son & 2 grandsons. The weather was perfect & we got to see 5 freights! Took a few good photos & a couple nice videos of the action. Figured since it was such a nice day I'd get a couple fishing lines in the water in case the train action was slow. My son did catch a nice size catfish, but its too rocky & we kept loosing our rigs. A great day all around.