Q: Do you know if any publications, or any web pages, blogs, or any Internet resource that maintains a U.S. map that shows frequency of train service? — Frank Norris, Santa Fe, N.M.
A: Simply put, no such resource exists as railroads hold traffic data as proprietary. The best way to learn about railroad operations, aside from reading Trains Magazine, is to network with your fellow train watchers. And spending time trackside will, of course, give you information to share back with the group. Another option is to listen to live radio scanner feeds online, which can give a feel for a given railroad’s operations before visiting it trackside. — Brian Schmidt
