Locomotives

The Overland route is being reworked to handle double stacks over the Hill.  They ran an Engineering special from Omaha to Oakland to check out the tunnel work on Donner Pass on September 27th, 2009 and returned east on the 29th.   

CAZEPHYR:

...so double stacks can use the # 2 track between Bowman and Colfax.

timz:

CAZEPHYR:

...so double stacks can use the # 2 track between Bowman and Colfax.

No 1 track, you mean. Track 2 between Bowman and Colfax has Tunnels 22 thru 32, which haven't been enlarged.

You are right.   Thanks for the correction. 

I noticed a post on Train orders concerning the Donner tunnel modifications and it states the double stacks over Donner should start operation after Thanksgiving.  

This should increase the amount of trains over the Hill durning the daytime since several stacks per day now use the FRC line.  

The following picture is today's Z train westbound.  I wanted to get a few of the Z trains before the double stacks start running over Donner.   I am not sure any of the regular Z trains will run without the double stacks. 

CZ

 Would this train stop being?  Aren't normal stacks pretty slow movers.  This train seems to be normally overpowered when I see it, which I would assume someone is paying a premium for.  I am just really looking forward to seeing double stacks again.  Are all current doublestacks that go through the Feather being routed over Donner?

broncoman:

 Would this train stop being?  Aren't normal stacks pretty slow movers.  This train seems to be normally overpowered when I see it, which I would assume someone is paying a premium for.  I am just really looking forward to seeing double stacks again.  Are all current doublestacks that go through the Feather being routed over Donner?

 That is an interesting question and one I have no idea what is the correct answer.  The Z trains are normally the hot ticket and move right along at track speed when they have clear track.    I have seen the stack trains moving at track speed also but lately the Union Pacific has been running some very long stack trains. 

I hope someone can speak to your question and we will see what the Union Pacific does after Thanksgiving with the stack and Z trains.  I was under the impression some would be integrated as a single train but that has not been announced. 

CZ

DId UP stop the work due to economic turndown?

Awesome!:

DId UP stop the work due to economic turndown?

I am not aware of any work stopping on this project. 

The tunnel work and the cross overs look like they are complete except for the signals and maybe some of the control wiring.  The signals at the East end of Colfax are installed and are turned sideways until they are commissioned and put on line for the dispatcher.  I have not heard anything different and would expect them to start running double stacks in December this year.  Have you heard anything different about the completion.

CZ

They have continued to work on this project  is almost completed and the date for the new operation is after Thanksgiving.

 Are they going to change the directions that trains are run.  I am not sure if its due to construction or not buy the eastbound empty autoracks have been on the westbound track through Auburn the last couple of days, so has the local which I am assuming goes up to Colfax?  I haven't seen anything with helpers going this way.  Is the new crossover at Bowman behind Head Quarter house?

Thanks for the info.

New Bowman x-over is about the same place as the old one-- but it's 25? mph instead of 10.

Eastward stack trains will run on the usually-westward track Bowman to Colfax-- aside from that, no changes.

broncoman:

 Are they going to change the directions that trains are run.  I am not sure if its due to construction or not buy the eastbound empty autoracks have been on the westbound track through Auburn the last couple of days, so has the local which I am assuming goes up to Colfax?  I haven't seen anything with helpers going this way.  Is the new crossover at Bowman behind Head Quarter house?

Thanks for the info.

The crossover is directly behind Americast Stone Inc. building, which is about one thousand feet or so west of the Head Quarters.    We were up there picking up some precast concrete pieces and talked to the U.P. crew behind the building and looked at the newly installed crossover and the electric machines to operate it.

As Timz has said, the operation will allow the double eastbound double stacks to bypass the newer track #2 between Bowman and Colfax.  The double stacks will use the # 1 track both directions but the other trains will probably still use the newer # 2 uphill since its grade is lower. 

Another use might be for Amtrak to use the #1 eastbound if they need to pass a slower freight between Bowman and Colfax.    The Roper eastbound freight normally waits at Newcastle if it leaves Roseville yard prior to #6 arriving.   In that case, #6 runs up the steeper older #1 track to Newcastle and then it runs around the freight at Newcastle and then uses the crossover at Newcastle to use the # 2 track on to Colfax.

CZ

 Americast Stone, INC

 I saw a FRA inspection car behind a SD70 coming back down through Auburn today.  The car went up Wednesday behind a AC4400 to check out the modifications I am assuming.  Do the Tunnels from Rocklin to Newcastle on track 2 have enough clearance for doublestacks?  

They're supposed to-- and Newcastle to Bowman too. They have done some work down there,

 This is the new cross over installed with the signals in place and look to be in the position now for use.  The first view is west bound.

Looking eastbound at CP RV129

Communications Box CP RV129