RailLookout.com

Courtesy of Carl Morrison of TrainWeb.org/carl
(Click here for Rail Lookout Archived Photos)

The Chris Guenzler Millionth Rail Mile Lookout Point features train watching year round for railfans in heated comfort of a cabin with FREE WiFi, power, radio scanner, ATCS Monitor, restrooms, BBQ, outdoor deck and more in the heart of Silver Rails Country in La Plata, Missouri. The point overlooks the historic BNSF transcontinental mainline from Los Angeles to Chicago that sees over 46,000 trains per year. The Amtrak Southwest Chief can be observed twice each day as it makes its stop at the La Plata Amtrak Station within view of the deck.

There are two LIVE WEBCAMS at the Rail Lookout Point that update every 6 seconds. There are three additional live rail webcams at the TrainWeb.com/TrainParty.com building, and then two more live rail webcams at the La Plata Amtrak Station that all together give a great view of the trains through La Plata around the clock. To view these live rail webcams right now, visit RailCams.com or CLICK HERE NOW.

When you stay at the Depot Inn & Suites, within walking distance or a short free golf cart ride from the Lookout Point, you will be treated to a LIVE video and audio feed from the Lookout Point. You can watch trains around the clock from the comfort of the large lobby lounge or from the TV in your own hotel room! There is an ATCS Monitor in the Lookout Point AND also in the hotel lobby and on a private channel on the TVs in every hotel room! The diagrams on the ATCS Monitor show every approaching train from hundreds of miles away. There is also a live audio feed of both the trains going by the lookout point and from a radio scanner monitoring the communications between the Conductor, Engineer and Dispatcher.

The Lookout Point was dedicated and named after Chris Guenzler had just completed traveling one million miles by rail on the eastbound Amtrak Southwest Chief on April 27, 2007. These one million rail miles were achieved from Chris traveling a great number of different railroads in the United States and Canada including many tourist railways and special rail excursions. Less than one year later on April 7, 2008, Chris completed one million miles of Amtrak travel right as he stepped off the eastbound Amtrak Southwest Chief in La Plata, Missouri. For reports and photos of these millionth mile record events including the dedication of the lookout point, CLICK HERE

Train Watching Lookout Point Cabin

The lookout point is now enclosed and heated and features large windows and seating for year round viewing of trains along the BNSF mainline. Free WiFi and electric outlets are also available. Photos courtesy of Chris Guenzler and Carl Morrison.

The Amtrak Southwest Chief passes to the right of the lookout cabin (above to the left in the photo).

Great winter window views of the BNSF mainline from the Train Watching Lookout Cabin!

"Maw" and "Paw" restrooms are conveniently located right next to the train watching lookout. There is also an outdoor BBQ for picnics while watching trains during warmer weather. The Train Watching Lookout Point now features FREE high speed WiFi and electric outlets to charge your notebook computer and cell phone.

During the summer months you can borrow golf carts to transport yourself from the hotel to the Train Watching Lookout.
Photos From The First Days Of The Train Watching Lookout Structure

On Monday morning, March 26, 2007, this large rectangular gazebo type structure was set on a bed of rocks perched high above the two BNSF mainlines through the City of La Plata, Missouri. The new structure provided an ideal place to watch more than 70 freight trains that travel along the rails below each day.

The above may be the first photos of a train ever taken from the Train Watching Lookout. They were taken on Tuesday, March 28, 2007, at about 7 AM.

The red roof building in the background is the new home of TrainWeb.com and TrainParty.com. Click the below links for more photos from the early days of the Train Watching Lookout Point: April 7, 2008 / May 14, 2008 / March 28, 2007 Click here for more info about Chris Guenzler and the naming of the Train Watching Lookout Point. Click here for other photos.