Does UP Still Get Ballast From Rock Springs in WI?

[Tom Burke]

Hi-

It's unclear looking at Google imagery if the quarry at Rock Springs is still used to mine ballast and load it into hoppers on the line that comes up from Madison. Does UP still get ballast from this quarry or has it been more or less played out?

The siding along the mine appears to be used for storing freight cars now.

On another note, when does UP usually operate over the line up to Baraboo and Reedsburg?

 

Thanks

[Ed Kyle]

This is a WSOR line since 2014, I believe, purchased by the State from UP.  Recent images show a WSOR local working to and from Reedsburg, but there are no signs of ballast cars during the past year or few that I have been able to find.  Of course that local is nicknamed the "Reedsburg Rocket"!

[kgbw49]

I believe what you might be seeing as stored cars are grain cars for the loader at United Cooperative in Rock Springs.

WSOR still goes to the end of track at Reedsburg, which is a few miles north (northwest by the compass) of Rock Springs.

If you bring up Google maps at Rock Springs you can "fly" the line to Reedsburg, and the current view has a WSOR SD40-2 working Reedsburg.

If you are a biker (bicyicle), the 400 Trail from Reedsburg to Elroy - the original route of the CNW 400 passenger train - is a very nice ride.

[rvos1979]

Last I remember, all of the load out equipment at Rock Springs has been dismantled, the quarry still exists, but is just for local use now..........