Irondale Train Watching Platform
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
On October 5, 1887, twenty-nine residents of a small mining/railroad community outside Birmingham, Alabama petitioned for incorporation. On October 19, 1887, the town of Irondale was incorporated following a vote on October 17. Corporate limits extended one-half mile in every direction from the center, between three oaks standing in said town about midway between the Alabama Great Southern and the Georgia Pacific Railroads and nearly in front of the Hotel Resort. Irondale, consisting of only four blocks in 1887, was ready to begin the growth that has made it what it is today.
The Irondale Train Watching Platform is a trackside viewing area located in its namesake city, the railroad community of Irondale, Alabama. The platform is located at the southwestern end of Norfolk Southern's large Norris Yard. Norris was opened in 1952 by the Southern Railway and today includes 12 receiving tracks, 56 classification bowl tracks, and 10 total departure tracks (7 westbound, 3 eastbound). On the south side of the yard's throat tracks is a raised viewing platform adjacent to a preserved Southern Railway bay window caboose. On the north side of the tracks is a sheltered passenger platform for watching trains. In addition to the former Southern Railway tracks, the former Central of Georgia mainline into Birmingham also passes through the viewing area. Numerous Norfolk Southern mainline and yard jobs pass the platform each day, including Amtrak's daily Crescent service.
from SPV Comprehensive Railroad Atlas
/ collection
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Click to see the Irondale Train Watching Platform plotted on a Google Maps page
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Article
Irondale Caboose Gets New Lighting
September 2014
The City of Irondale recently installed new lights at the historic caboose across from Irondale City Hall. A resolution to fund the project was drafted by Irondale City Councilor, Donna Pike and unanimously approved by the Irondale City Council. Offices for the Greater Irondale Chamber of Commerce and the Irondale Commercial Development Authority (CDA) are located inside the caboose. The deck of the caboose is a popular destination for viewing the over 50 different train engines that pass through Irondale daily.
Irondale fully embraces its railroad heritage and offers a unique experience for train enthusiast of all ages. There are two train-watching platforms on both sides of the tracks. On the north side of the tracks there’s a long covered pavilion located across from the historic, Irondale Café. The Southern Railway caboose is located on the south side of the tracks with an open deck and ample seating.
Annually thousands of visitors from all over the United States come to Irondale to admire trains. Trussville resident, Harold Woody stated, “I really appreciate the new lights at the caboose. Several of us travel to Irondale at least three times weekly to view the trains, relax and tell stories.” Thanks to the new lighting, Woody and his friends can be seen on the caboose deck long after dark telling stories and admiring trains. According to Woody, plans are in the works to form an Irondale Train Club. The City Council and the Irondale CDA are also considering other major renovations to the caboose in coming months.
Darryl Washington — City of Irondale
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Southern #X500
Southern Railway #X500
bay window caboose / Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
from Southern Railway Freight Equipment Diagram Book III
/ collection
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Aug 2021 / RWH
Aug 2021 / RWH
Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
See also our complete Southern Railway Bay Window Caboose collection in Mainlines
Mainline Action
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
from The Birmingham News
newspaper - Nov 1961 / collection
Irondale Cafe
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
The Original Whistlestop Cafe
Directly in the heart of original downtown Irondale, Alabama, adjacent to the train tracks, Irondale cafe has stood for generations and been an integral part of the community. Tradition overflows here and welcomes newcomers with open arms.
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Click to see the Irondale Cafe plotted on a Google Maps page
Aug 2021 / RWH
Aug 2021 / RWH
Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Irondale, Al / Aug 2021 / RWH
Links / Sources
- City of Irondale website history
- Irondale Cafe website
- Wikipedia article for Irondale, Alabama