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Ringgold Train Watching Platform
Located about 20-minutes south of Chattanooga, TN, and 10-minutes north of the busy train watching town of Dalton, GA (also listed on this web site) is the town of Ringgold. Ringgold has built a train watching park complete with a elevated covered platform, benches, lighting and a scanner feed to listen into the railroad action. As for photography; unlike the busier train-watching location
of Dalton where light is better in the afternoon; Ringgold has better lighting in the morning hours. The viewing platform and park is located on the east side of the single track, and train station building. The W&A train station building enhance photos as it provides a nice back drop. Visitors to the area should be sure to visit Dalton's train watching location, as well as the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum just north in Chattanooga.
Location info:
Town / City: Ringgold, GA
Location Name: Ringgold Train Watching Platform (Offically named: Tom Clark Train Viewing Platform)
Railroad: CSX Transportation
Rail Traffic: Expect around 20 trains during a 24-hour period. This is the north/south CSX W&A (Western & Atlantic) Subdivision.
Site Details: A new, well kept and well groomed train watching park. A cement walkway has been added between the parking lot and the pavilion. The covered pavilion features benches, lighting, and a radio scanner to tune into the local railroad chatter.
Listen for the hotbox detectors; it will help you know when a train is approaching. The park consists of an open grass field. Picnic tables are also on site at the north end of the park. There is a grade crossing at the north side of the park, so bring your ear plugs as the horns can be loud while trains are passing.
Restrooms on site: No
Food: A short drive north of the platform, there are several place to eat, and use a bathroom.
Picnic Area: YES, Picnic tables located trackside about 500 feet north of the platform. It's a smart set-up, picnic table guests are far enough away not to interfere with pictures / video that is shot from the pavilion.
Parking: Free parking in the small paved parking lot.
Lighted for eveing railfanning: Yes.
Scanner Frequencies: Road Channel 161.370; Dispatcher is 161.520.
Motels / Hotels: Ringgold has a few motels located near the I-75 interchange, along with fast food places. There are no railfan motels in Ringgold.
