How to Track Freight Trains

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Things You'll Need

  • Train number

  • Track location

  • Train company

  • Computer

  • Internet

  • Phone

Freight train moving in rural area
Image Credit: Jim Mills/iStock/Getty Images

Without freight trains, goods and merchandise would be scarce. Thanks to the freight train business, products are moved easily across the nation. Have you ever been stopped at a railroad crossing and wish you knew their schedule? You could then avoid being stopped at a railroad track. Simply find their schedule and avoid the tracks at that time.

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Step 1

Write down the time that the freight train passes by a track. This will be your starting point to track a freight train's schedule.

Step 2

Figure out which direction the train is going via sun's position in the sky, pocket compass or car satellite system.

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Step 3

Locate the name of the freight train company on numerous cars. Remember, you are looking for the freight train company's name not the company's whose products are on the train (See Resource 1).

Step 4

Use an online train location finder (See Resource 2). Different sites require different information. Have the train time, direction, company name, and train number if you can locate it. If you can not locate the train number, merely pull up a train's number on the train locator's site and compare it with the location of the train you are seeking.

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