Unit Tanker Train Rolls Down A Small Town Main Drag

[Jonathan Tuom]

Here is a sight to see.  I was able to catch some footage of a unit tanker train rolling through Rainier, Oregon.  The train was lead by NS motive power and I think the train was enroute to Port Westward, Oregon.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPqPrhQfCoY

[MidlandMike]

I rode the line in 2005 when the Lewis & Clarke bicentennial train was running.  I remember the street running thru Rainier.  Does the oil train have to cross any of the hand-cranked swing bridges?

[Jonathan Tuom]

@ MidlandMike

That is a good question.  I cannot say for sure if there is, the only bridge that I can think of in the area would be west of Clatskanie, Oregon.

But don't hold me to this though, I could be wrong. 

[desertdog]

MidlandMike

I rode the line in 2005 when the Lewis & Clarke bicentennial train was running.  I remember the street running thru Rainier.  Does the oil train have to cross any of the hand-cranked swing bridges?

 

I happened to ride the bicentennial train, as well. A great, scenic ride to Astoria in vintage RDC cars. Any idea where the oil train was headed and if it was loads or empties?

As I recall, one of the swing bridges was involved in a derailment a few years ago.

John Timm

[MidlandMike]

The OP mentions Port Westward (about a dozen miles NW of Rainier.)  I see they have both an oil terminal and an ethanol plant.  I wonder if they ship ethanol by tank car (the same DOT 111 as for crude oil)

Edit: Further research indicates the ethanol plant shut down and was bought out by the oil shipper.

[Jonathan Tuom]

@ MidlandMike,

Best I can tell I think oil does get shipped out of the facility.  And if not oil I think some type of oil based product is handled by the facility.  I say this because vessels with barges make regular stops at the facility.

Here is a video of an Crowley Maritime ATB vessel being assisted out of the facility by a tugboat. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mau1akxuXXU

[MidlandMike]

I looked on Google Earth, and I see that all 3 manual swing bridges are west of Port Westward, beyond the crude oil train route.  Coincidently, Google Earth also shows an oil train just west of Rainier.