Tower 26 in Houston — Online Webcam of Freight Railroad Junction

What is Tower 26 — a Railroad Crossing in Houston

Tower 26 is one of the busiest railroad junctions in northeastern Houston, where two key mainlines intersect: UP West Belt Sub (north-south) and UP Houston Sub (east-west). Historically, an interlocking control tower stood here, but the physical structure was demolished long ago — the name stuck to the crossing itself. Today Tower 26 is a double diamond crossing where the tracks form a complex switch system.

GPS coordinates of the location: 29.774775, -95.346123. The nearest address is 1415 West St, Houston, TX 77026. Convenient public access for railfanning is provided via West Street, making the junction a popular spot among railroad enthusiasts.

Historical Background: From Interlocking Tower to Modern Junction

On September 29, 1903, the Texas Railroad Commission authorized the commissioning of Towers 25 and 26 — interlocking structures located approximately 396 meters apart on the main line of the Texas & New Orleans (T&NO) Railroad. In the early 20th century, three towers — 25, 26, and 207 — operated simultaneously at this complex crossing, ensuring safe train movements where the mainlines intersected.

The UP Houston Sub is part of the Sunset Route — Union Pacific's main line between Southern California and New Orleans. Historically, this was the Southern Pacific Railroad's southern mainline, which explains the junction's strategic importance for freight traffic between the U.S. West and East Coasts.

Capacity and Traffic Intensity

More than 60 trains pass through Tower 26 daily — making it one of the busiest segments of Houston's rail network. The northbound West Belt Sub sees about 20 trains per day (including Amtrak passenger service), while the east-west Terminal Sub handles around 70 trains, of which 40 are through trains.

Several operators serve the junction: Union Pacific handles the primary freight volume, approximately 10 trains per day belong to CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) — a Canadian holding company formed after the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in 2023. BNSF Railway freight trains and the Amtrak Sunset Limited passenger train also pass through the crossing.

What Trains and Locomotives You Can See

The Tower 26 camera offers a view of freight trains in various configurations. In the foreground, Union Pacific locomotives in their distinctive yellow-and-gray livery regularly pass through — such as AC4400CW or ES44AC series units pulling container trains and mixed freight consists. Red Canadian Pacific locomotives (SD70ACU series) are also frequent visitors to the junction.

On adjacent tracks, you can spot container trains bearing the markings of international logistics operators — Schenker, J.B. Hunt, and Schneider. The switch system allows trains to transition between the West Belt Sub and Houston Sub tracks, creating a dynamic scene of railroad activity.

Infrastructure and Surrounding Landscape

The railroad tracks around Tower 26 are built on gravel ballast, with trees and shrubs typical of eastern Texas growing along the sides. To the left of the tracks stand railroad signal masts controlling train movements through the interlocking. In the background, Houston's industrial zone unfolds: warehouse complexes, construction equipment (excavators, cranes), metal structures, and manufacturing buildings.

The Tower 26 camera also captures the downtown Houston skyline — the skyscrapers of the city's business district serve as a backdrop for passing freight trains. This creates a distinctive contrast between industrial infrastructure and modern urban development.

Practical Use of the Webcam

The Tower 26 webcam in Houston serves as a tool for railroad enthusiasts (railfanning), allowing real-time observation of train movements without the need to be physically present at the location. This is especially valuable for planning photo and video sessions: knowing the approximate train schedule helps choose the optimal time to visit the site.

For logistics professionals and transportation analysts, the live feed provides insight into junction congestion and the intensity of freight traffic between Gulf Coast ports and inland regions of the United States. Tower 26 is a vital link in the supply chain connecting the Port of Houston with the national rail network.

Nearby Railroad Locations for Observation

Several other interesting railfanning spots are located in close proximity to Tower 26. Sampson Street is another grade crossing in the industrial zone offering views of the Houston Belt & Terminal tracks. TN&O Jct (Texas & New Orleans Junction) is a historic track divergence point that retains its significance for freight operations.

Viewing multiple cameras simultaneously allows you to trace a specific train's route through Houston's rail network and assess the scale of freight traffic in the region.

What You Can See on the Camera

The Tower 26 camera broadcasts a view of the railroad crossing in northeastern Houston. In the foreground — a freight train: a Union Pacific locomotive in yellow-and-gray livery and a red Canadian Pacific unit pulling a consist of freight cars and containers. On the adjacent track sits a train with an orange Schenker container. To the left, railroad signals are mounted on a mast. In the background — an industrial zone with warehouses, construction equipment, and the silhouettes of downtown Houston. Several parallel tracks, switch points, and gravel ballast with vegetation along the sides are visible.