| The Gregarious Railfan |
Decatur, AL 35601 (population, 55,683 (2010))
GPS: N 34.61334, W 86.98681 Google map
Scanner: CSX 161.370 R [84], 160.410 D [20]; NS 160.950 R [56], 160.845 R [49], 160.290 D [12]
Railroads: CSX Nashville Division, S and NA North Sub; Norfolk Southern Alabama Division, Memphis East Sub
Description: Decatur AL is located in North Central Alabama about 80 miles north of Birmingham on the Tennessee
River. Norfolk Southern & CSX track both pass the Old Decatur Depot at 701 Railroad St. N 34.61334, W 86.98681
The Tennessee River Bridge is just a little over 1/4 mile NE of the depot, N 34.61815, W 86.98068, and is unique
because it is one of the few railroad bridges in the U.S. that is shared by two railroads. North of the Depot, there
are pedestrian overpasses that provide railfans with photo opportunities of the bridge and rail entry into Decatur.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 55
Nearby RR stuff: NS Decatur Yard 34.613865, -87.016753 no public access; CSX Oakworth Yard, N 34.58979,
W 86.98502 has views from Central Pkwy SW
Breakfast: City Cafe 101 1st Ave SE, N 34.60364, W 86.98663;
Waffle House 710 6th Ave NE, N 34.60793, W 86.97924
Fast Food: McDonald's 1208 6th Ave SE; N 34.58886, W 86.98029
Ice Cream: Kaleidoscoops 1819 6th Ave SE, 34.575667, -86.975205
Baskin-Robbins N 34.59162, W 86.98022
Pub and Grub: The RailYard 209 2nd Ave SE, N 34.60250, W 86.98564
Lodging: Best Western River City Hotel 1305 Front Ave SW, N 34.58660, W 87.02791
GPS: N 34.61334, W 86.98681 Google map
Scanner: CSX 161.370 R [84], 160.410 D [20]; NS 160.950 R [56], 160.845 R [49], 160.290 D [12]
Railroads: CSX Nashville Division, S and NA North Sub; Norfolk Southern Alabama Division, Memphis East Sub
Description: Decatur AL is located in North Central Alabama about 80 miles north of Birmingham on the Tennessee
River. Norfolk Southern & CSX track both pass the Old Decatur Depot at 701 Railroad St. N 34.61334, W 86.98681
The Tennessee River Bridge is just a little over 1/4 mile NE of the depot, N 34.61815, W 86.98068, and is unique
because it is one of the few railroad bridges in the U.S. that is shared by two railroads. North of the Depot, there
are pedestrian overpasses that provide railfans with photo opportunities of the bridge and rail entry into Decatur.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 55
Nearby RR stuff: NS Decatur Yard 34.613865, -87.016753 no public access; CSX Oakworth Yard, N 34.58979,
W 86.98502 has views from Central Pkwy SW
Breakfast: City Cafe 101 1st Ave SE, N 34.60364, W 86.98663;
Waffle House 710 6th Ave NE, N 34.60793, W 86.97924
Fast Food: McDonald's 1208 6th Ave SE; N 34.58886, W 86.98029
Ice Cream: Kaleidoscoops 1819 6th Ave SE, 34.575667, -86.975205
Baskin-Robbins N 34.59162, W 86.98022
Pub and Grub: The RailYard 209 2nd Ave SE, N 34.60250, W 86.98564
Lodging: Best Western River City Hotel 1305 Front Ave SW, N 34.58660, W 87.02791
Map
