Semi-official Rochelle webcam discussion thread

[xjqcf]

I saw the "train" the other day, working west on track one. More specifically it's an "American" crane, with the cab on the west end. They were apparently picking up scrap metal and had an electromagnet attached. This lead ironically to another "stand-off" at the diamond, this time between two sets of work equipment crossing the diamonds. A BNSF team consisting of a tamper and a ballast regulator were trying to cross eastbound. The BNSF foreman was trying to operate the key release to protect the crossing but was unable; the American crane was working just east and only cleared when the crane crossed just barely west of the home signals, stopping to pick up some material on the north side by the partially demolished Del Monte facility. The foreman reported his success to the BNSF dispatcher, commenting that he had tried to call the UP dispatcher on the phone 5 times, never getting the phone answered The pithy reply of the BNSF dispatcher "They never do"

[xjqcf]

The American Crane, having apparently been stowed away on a side track in Rochelle, came out and just passed the diamonds westbound.

[Semper Vaporo]

Dis one!

 

 

 

 

[AgentKid]

I was wondering if that was the machine everyone is talking about. I saw it arrive a couple of weeks ago under tow by a regular locomotive. I don't remember what type or exactly when.

Bruce

[xjqcf]

xjqcf

The American Crane, having apparently been stowed away on a side track in Rochelle, came out and just passed the diamonds westbound.

 

... and now crossed back east. From the chatter on the scanner sounds like they're picking up scrap iron.

 

[Semper Vaporo]

It looked like a headlight is mounted right on the tip of the crane boom.

[xjqcf]

Well, today it's BNSF's turn. A Special Herzog work "train" consisting of a custom power unit, 6 well cars, and a rear cab moved east across the diamond. Over the past week I observed this work unit passing west, emply except for an excavator located on the end well car. From time to time on the scanner I had heard BNSF work crews talking about removing material, some of which sounded like signal related structures. Today's observation seems to confirm this - the work unit was loaded with what appeared to be weathered signal cases and bungalows. Seems like both UP and BNSF are currently engaged in a lot of "spring cleaning."

[cefinkjr]

xjqcf

Well, today it's BNSF's turn. A Special Herzog work "train" consisting of a custom power unit, 6 well cars, and a rear cab moved east across the diamond. Over the past week I observed this work unit passing west, emply except for an excavator located on the end well car. From time to time on the scanner I had heard BNSF work crews talking about removing material, some of which sounded like signal related structures. Today's observation seems to confirm this - the work unit was loaded with what appeared to be weathered signal cases and bungalows. Seems like both UP and BNSF are currently engaged in a lot of "spring cleaning."

Picking up signal system hardware made obsolete by implementation of ATC?

[tree68]

cefinkjr

Picking up signal system hardware made obsolete by implementation of ATC?

Probably more like picking up equipment replaced by that required by PTC...

[cefinkjr]

tree68

 

cefinkjr

Picking up signal system hardware made obsolete by implementation of ATC?

 

 

Probably more like picking up equipment replaced by that required by PTC...

My bad.  That's what I meant.  I just had the wrong acronym.  Knew it didn't sound right when I typed it.  We're in agreement.

[tree68]

cefinkjr

We're in agreement.

I kinda thought that...

[MKT Dave]

Herzog WB across the diamonds at 12.01

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15158681@N00/33585341162/in/dateposted-public/

Herzog EB across the diamonds at 12.28, being passed by EB BNSF  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15158681@N00/33585342712/in/dateposted-public/

 

[writesong]

When watching the live streaming video from Rochelle, Illinois, I noticed a hobo named Fred, while obviously running as fast as he can, just barely manages to hop aboard the passing freight train, just managing to hang on to the back of the very last car.

You can see that Fred is in trouble because he keeps signaling for help with his flashing red light.

Poor ol' Fred!

But, still, Fred keeps on hanging on to that freight car, and since the bulls haven't been able to keep him from hopping that freight, then that must mean that Fred is now the new emperor of the North Pole.

[MKT Dave]

For a time Milwaukee Road had rights across the diamonds in Rochelle, this picture shows the BN Station in Rochelle, Is it still there?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15158681@N00/33613053621/in/dateposted-public/

[rdamon]

It was here in this 2007 street view.

 

 

But not in the overhead view.

 

 

[writesong]

A little earlier, I saw a Union Pacific Intermodal Freight Train pulled by three locomotives, with the lead freight car's top container having a silver colored arrow shape at the front.

Did anyone else notice that?

I wish I'd snapped a picture.

Is that a new device that Union Pacific is adding on to the top container of the leading freight car to act as a windbreak, to streamline the freight load?

I've never seen that before.

Also, I notice that if you look through those trees, you can see the headlamp of a locomotive long before it gets to the diamond.

[Paul of Covington]

writesong

A little earlier, I saw a Union Pacific Intermodal Freight Train pulled by three locomotives, with the lead freight car's top container having a silver colored arrow shape at the front.

Did anyone else notice that?

I wish I'd snapped a picture.

Is that a new device that Union Pacific is adding on to the top container of the leading freight car to act as a windbreak, to streamline the freight load?

I've never seen that before.

Also, I notice that if you look through those trees, you can see the headlamp of a locomotive long before it gets to the diamond.

   Is this what it looked like?

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/intermodal/up-arrowedge-technology-to-debut-this-month.html

   There was a discussion about it a couple of years ago at

http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/220454.aspx

[writesong]

@ PAUL OF COVINGTON:

Yes, that was it.

Thanks!

[jeffhergert]

Which way was the stack train going?  I met a westbound stack train the other night with the arrowedge.  First time I've seen it in person.

Jeff  

[writesong]

jeffhergert

Which way was the stack train going?  I met a westbound stack train the other night with the arrowedge.  First time I've seen it in person.

Jeff  

 

_____________________________

@ JEFF HERGERT:

It was coming from Clinton, Iowa, so I reckon it was headed towards Chicago.

[blhanel]

Hmmm... eastbound BNSF sand (?) train just stopped with its manifest about halfway through the diamond.

EDIT: He's cleared now, wonder why he had to stop.  Lot's of AOKX 49XXXX covered hoppers.

[xjqcf]

blhanel

Hmmm... eastbound BNSF sand (?) train just stopped with its manifest about halfway through the diamond.

EDIT: He's cleared now, wonder why he had to stop.  Lot's of AOKX 49XXXX covered hoppers.

 

 

I suspect this was a "rock train"  going to the south Rochelle industrial tracks operated by the Burlington Junction Railway. The switch connecting BNSF to the trackage is located just east of the crossing. Although I was listening to the Northern Illinois scanner feed on the Broadcastify site lots of interfering chatter blocked the Aurora Sub traffic, so I could not pick out switching moves, but this seems to fit the movement pattern, along with the solid low volume covered hopper consist.

[blhanel]

A relatively short westbound IM just crossed the diamonds with an Arrowedge up front- another one coming your way, Jeff!

[jeffhergert]

Met an eastbound with one this afternoon.  I think it was the UP 8381 East.  

Jeff

[cefinkjr]

Jeff & Brian:

Do I detect a couple of UP guys using this thread for company communications?  Lovin' it. 

[xjqcf]

blhanel

A relatively short westbound IM just crossed the diamonds with an Arrowedge up front- another one coming your way, Jeff!

 

Just saw the regular early morning westbound doublestack ("Z" train?) highballing the diamonds with one of these

[jeffhergert]

Saw 2 more today.  The first one I saw was about a week ago.  Now it's becoming a daily occurance.  I don't know if their doing more testing or have decided to declare it a rousing success and plan to use it more.

Jeff

[xjqcf]

xjqcf

 

 

blhanel

A relatively short westbound IM just crossed the diamonds with an Arrowedge up front- another one coming your way, Jeff!

 

 

 

 

Just saw the regular early morning westbound doublestack ("Z" train?) highballing the diamonds with one of these

 

 

...and a repeat performance this Monday morning, except the highball.  This train, as well as an eastbound Z were were sitting for over 15 minutes  athe home signal, but no sign of any BNSF activity nearby. They finally both got their repective signals and accelerated to track speed across the diamonds. Wonder if a time release had to run?

[BaltACD]

xjqcf

xjqcf

blhanel

A relatively short westbound IM just crossed the diamonds with an Arrowedge up front- another one coming your way, Jeff!

Just saw the regular early morning westbound doublestack ("Z" train?) highballing the diamonds with one of these

...and a repeat performance this Monday morning, except the highball.  This train, as well as an eastbound Z were were sitting for over 15 minutes  athe home signal, but no sign of any BNSF activity nearby. They finally both got their repective signals and accelerated to track speed across the diamonds. Wonder if a time release had to run?

Did you see a person go to the signal box to operate the release?  If nobody went to the signal box the release timer was not used. 

I don't know 'the specifics' of this crossing.

In many 'Automatic Interlockings at Grade' - the Train Dispatcher on their CTC display in many cases has to 'line the signal to cross'  what this lining of the signal PERMITS - is the automatic features of the crossing to operate.  If the Dispatcher does not line the signal, he is able to hold the train at the crossing for whatever operating issues he may be facing.  The Dispatcher does not have control of traffic over the crossing.

A train upon stopping with a STOP signal at the crossing will contact the Train Dispatcher and be governed by his instructions.  If the Dispatcher indicates that he has the route lined, but the Absolute Signal is still at STOP, he will then instruct the train to utilize the Release Procedures for the crossing.  The EXACT procedures are posted inside the signal box.

There are a number of permutations of operation at 'Automatic Railroad Crossings at Grade', that are designed to account for local operating requirements.  Many Automatic Crossings have no Dispatcher involvement, many have some have Dispatcher involvement that permits the Dispatcher to utilize the crossing as a 'Hold Out' signal and protect operational requirement happening beyond the signal.

[tree68]

Everything I've seen posted about Rochelle in the past indicates that this is a totally automatic interlocking.

That said, there's nothing to say that there isn't some sort of delay built into it.

And, since we don't know exactly how the entire Rochelle area is set up, signal-wise, we don't know how an oncoming train (for either railroad) affects the crossing if it stops before reaching the diamond.  Both railroads have industrial customers in the area, by the looks of it.