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Wooden trestle burns on the Sunset Route

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Thursday, July 11, 2019 8:02 PM

Lens cap,

So the UP should replace all of its hundreds of good trestles, especially in a dry climate where they will last longer than in a wet climate? Why? Would you if it was your money? Really??

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, July 11, 2019 11:35 AM

LensCapOn
What the (cuss word here) is the Sunset Route doing with a wood trestle, still, in these days??

If it isn't broken, don't fix it.  All carriers still have wooden trestles dotted around their property.  If they have not given the carrier issues and they pass their yearly inspection - they continue in service.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by LensCapOn on Thursday, July 11, 2019 9:16 AM

What the (cuss word here) is the Sunset Route doing with a wood trestle, still, in these days??

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, July 6, 2019 7:25 PM

CatFoodFlambe

 

 
PNWRMNM

SD 70 mentions fill. The UP may have simply slapped a culvert of suitable size in the bottom of the gulch and filled the former bridge space in, or done both, filled ends if long and relatively low then put as few as one bridge spans in.

 

 

 

   Would a railroad be able to install a culvert without having to file for all sorts of environment-effect studues?

 

 

National USACE section 400 permit covers most of any emergency. Unless there is something special going on at this location (in which case the Yellow Peril is talking to a known agency), UP is ready to go. Up is already moving assets in the direction of the crisis and Omaha is hopping to help the locals. Plenty of other structures work just got put on hold for about two weeks. Lots of phone calls happening with anyone nearby with suitable piledrivers and heavy equipment to clear away the ruins.

Unfortunately, the operating side is probably whining, bawling, complaining somewhere because it it isn't business as usual, how much is it gonna cost and when do they get their railroad back (to the nearest ten seconds and fifty cents)?

Time for structures, track and engineering to "up" their game. Showtime!

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by CatFoodFlambe on Saturday, July 6, 2019 6:57 PM

PNWRMNM

SD 70 mentions fill. The UP may have simply slapped a culvert of suitable size in the bottom of the gulch and filled the former bridge space in, or done both, filled ends if long and relatively low then put as few as one bridge spans in.

 

   Would a railroad be able to install a culvert without having to file for all sorts of environment-effect studues?

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Posted by rdamon on Saturday, July 6, 2019 6:40 PM

Has anyone seen this on on any news outlets?

Was looking for some pictures.

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Posted by cx500 on Saturday, July 6, 2019 6:18 PM

PNWRMNM

cx500,

All true, but the question is: What is UP's current standard for new construction? I would bet dollars to donuts it is concrete.

Mac

 

Quite agree, but sometimes it depends on the immediate availability of the materials, and the urgency to put the line back in operation.  Often concrete deck slabs are on hand.  The substructure is a different situation and steel members may be more appropriate for that portion.  Or, as already noted, culverts and a big fill will eliminate the bridge entirely.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, July 6, 2019 4:13 PM

Brings up a long term question.  How many of the bridges oon the Sunset route are vulnerable to burning or flood damage and what is UP's long term plan to eliminate thoose problems ?

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Saturday, July 6, 2019 3:08 PM

SD 70 mentions fill. The UP may have simply slapped a culvert of suitable size in the bottom of the gulch and filled the former bridge space in, or done both, filled ends if long and relatively low then put as few as one bridge spans in.

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Posted by SD70Dude on Saturday, July 6, 2019 12:55 PM

CN proved that a large wooden trestle can be replaced in 3 weeks:

https://www.klohn.com/blog/project-in-focus-mayerthorpe-rail-bridge-replacement/

The new bridge is of course constructed of concrete and steel, with large fills at each end.

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Saturday, July 6, 2019 12:51 PM

cx500,

All true, but the question is: What is UP's current standard for new construction? I would bet dollars to donuts it is concrete.

Mac

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Posted by cx500 on Saturday, July 6, 2019 10:57 AM

At that height it may be a frame trestle rather than a pile trestle.  It can make a difference in rebuilding, but generally wood trestles can be replaced fairly quickly.  The design was often used in early railroad construction because it was cheapest and fastest to build.  In dry climates the wood has a much longer life.

 

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Posted by diningcar on Saturday, July 6, 2019 10:28 AM

This ravine is perhaps 40 feet deep and the piling has also burned so more than concrete decks will be needed

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Friday, July 5, 2019 3:41 PM

It should be easy IF previous structure was a trestle. Install new concrete trestle. Should take no more than 48 hours.

Mac

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Wooden trestle burns on the Sunset Route
Posted by diningcar on Friday, July 5, 2019 9:16 AM

A friend advises that a wooden trestle over a deep ravine about eighteen miles east from Sanderson, TX has completely burned. This will not be an easy 'fix'. 

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