Every so often I need to fly into Kansas City for business and my hotel is across the street from Union Station and connected to Union Station via the skywalk system. Behind Union Station, KCS railroad put up a pedestrian bridge that spans the tracks on which you can watch the trains go by. The pedestrian bridge has special fencing with just a small crack between clapboards so nobody can pitch crap over the bridge at passing trains. So whomever took the video attached was pretty skilled in getting the lens of the camera between the cracks.
Anyways, great place to watch trains in all sorts of weather because the bridge is covered and connected to Union Station so you can reach it via the skywalk system when it is pouring rain and never get wet. The bridge crosses the tracks and decends on the other side where the Milwaukee Road Frieght House is that has been converted to a restaurant venue of three restaurants. One Austrian, One BBQ and One Lida's Italian.
The traffic is like this all day long train after train on 5-15 min spacings sometimes 2-3 trains at a time. Every once in a while there is a lull over 40 min but not often. Most of the intermodal and coal trains that pass through here are approx 2 miles long with distributed power and plenty of locos. One thing I noticed about the GE's the engines sound kind of funny when they are idling or passing by like there are loose parts inside clanging about.....always get a chuckle out of it. GM's are quieter, in my opinion. Anyways short video, you can even spot the Former Milwaukee Road Pullman Sleeper that KC Union Station is trying to sell. It's in really good condition inside never touched by Amtrak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1pFXtZCiKo
Here is a shot of the bridge when I was there in 2012, not sure if it has changed since.
rdamon Here is a shot of the bridge when I was there in 2012, not sure if it has changed since.
Johnny
It hasn't changed, looks the same to me.
That is definitely not clapboard, which the OP called it.
I had thought that clapboard on bridges went out with covered bridges in roadways.
[quote user="Deggesty"]
I had thought that clapboard on bridges went out with covered bridges in roadways./quote]
Not yet. There are still covered bridges. I believe Vermont has the most.
Norm
Deggesty That is definitely not clapboard, which the OP called it. I had thought that clapboard on bridges went out with covered bridges in roadways.
Actually if you re-read the statement I am using the word "clapboard" to describe it in part as a type of siding NOT to say it is clapboard all by itself. Obviously clapboard siding is not used on a covered steel truss bridge nor does it have large gaps in it after it is applied.
It's aluminum whatever it is vs. wood and it is horizontal to the ground so in my view that was a pretty good description.
Also, I think covered bridges use board and batten type siding if I am not mistaken, which is vertical to the ground when applied............not horizontal to the ground.
Santa Fe Junction is one of my favorites. I always make sure to take HWY 169 by Murray Yard as well ..
http://kcrailfan.com/hot-spots/
I was there in 2015 and I do remember taking pics, maybe we stood in a different spot, or the clapboard has been added since then because I didn't put my camera between slots. It was a great place to railfan. I was on RR earlier this summer but got off at Lee's Summit to stay with a friend.
Based on the picture of the slats earlier in the thread, I'd suggest that taking pictures won't be a problem. Odds are the space between the slats is wider than the lens on your camera - you won't even know they are there.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.