![]() We were able to watch it live on the cam with our boys. Recently, a really unique train known as the UP1996 rolled through Chehalis. When a train comes through Chehalis, we use it as a geography lesson in our home. By following the train tracker maps available from and Amtrak, we’re able to follow lots of interesting trains from states all over the U.S. Many chatters mention how much they’d love to come to Chehalis by train, stay at McMenamin’s Olympic Club, and see the Chehalis and Centralia train-related sights: The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad … the historic depots … the rail history.Īs it turns out, Chehalis is a pretty great place to train watch. It’s been asked many times: Where is that train going? How does Chehalis have a “port” if it’s landlocked? What kind of businesses and industries are using that rail line? For instance, the “local” train - a smaller BNSF train that works between Centralia and Chehalis - switches tracks near Darigold towards the Port of Chehalis. People from countries all over the world often have questions about Chehalis and Lewis County. ![]() It was super fun to participate in the chat as a Chehalis local. Soon, we started asking simple questions about the things that we would see and viewers from all over the world would educate us about what we were seeing. I started watching the chat and quickly realized that these were train and rail fans from all over the world - an international audience. I started tuning in on my laptop once in awhile and realized there was a live chat feature when you’re watching online via web browser or the YouTube app (the chat doesn’t appear on our smart TV). Our boys would sit and listen outside for the sound of a train and run inside to turn on the live stream. Once our boys realized that this camera was at the museum, they were especially hooked (we have a family museum membership and spend a lot of time there). Since the live stream is available via YouTube (online and on the app), we were able to tune in with our living room smart TV. The Chehalis location is the only one in Washington aside from the Skykomish camera location. My 3-year-old and 5-year-old love all things train and we had never run across that name before.Īccording to, “Virtual Railfan is the leading provider of live streaming rail cams in the United States.” They proudly boast 75 cameras in 46 locations in 22 states, and four countries. Prior to reading the recent article in The Chronicle about the new live streaming cam, perched on the second level of the museum and pointed at the rails in downtown Chehalis, I had never heard of Virtual Railfan. With over 70 cameras are up throughout the U.S., Quincy Amtrak has two of those.This column is a “tip of the hat,” as they say, to the Lewis County Model Railroad Club and the Lewis County Historical Museum for bringing Virtual Railfan to Chehalis. It’s a great partnership with the City of Quincy, BNSF, and Amtrak and I think it's only going to bring more tourism to Quincy when the time is right," said Cain. "It will boost tourism, we have seen that across the board where a camera goes in people learn about it, ‘Hey, I can take the Amtrak there.’" said Cox. ![]() This new form of tourism could be the secret ingredient to put this plan on the fast track towards completion. Mayor Kyle Moore announced earlier this year his ‘45 By 30 Plan’ which aims to grow Quincy's population to 45,000 by 2030. And Amtrak gave the blessing to have them installed," said Cox.īoth Cain and Cox said this single camera will increase the number of passengers who use the train. "We had to get permission from the City of Quincy to do this, they're the ones that sponsored it so that was easy. The company has 70 cameras spread across 25 locations nationwide.Ĭox said at any given time, 600 people can be watching the platforms which keeps safety and security a top priority. Virtual Railfan brings the trains to you wherever you can get online. High resolution, and the first in Illinois," said Cain. "With over 200 countries that view these cameras and over 800 minutes viewed a month, this brings Quincy to the world with virtual rail cams. She said the positives to this new feature are unlimited. Holly Cain is the Executive Director of the Quincy Area Convention Bureau. "It allows people that are at home or clear across the country to watch trains in different locations that they may never get to visit in person," said Bob Cox, Virtual Railfans Customer Service Technician. This camera is a first for Quincy and the first in Illinois. Virtual Railfan's motto is - "We bring the trains to you."Īnd Tuesday the company installed its first camera in Illinois and it has a one way ticket to Quincy.
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