California Congestion

[ericsp]

I saw westward trains sitting on the sidings at Modesto, Ceres, Alcant (south of Turlock), and Irrigosa (north of Fresno); an eastward train on the siding at Fergus (north of Merced); and a westward train moving at the north end of Turlock. The train sitting on the siding at Ceres is the MFRRV-27. I have heard that the train at Irrigosa has been sitting there since early Friday morning. I have been told the train at Alcant has been there a couple of days. Also, the Renzenburger van pulled off of the freeway next to the train at Fergus just about the time we passed it. It looks like there is still congestion out here.

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by broncoman

Does anyone know if there is reserve loading/unloading capacity at the other west coast ports Oakland, Portland, Seattle, so if they wanted to steer ships to other ports that might be a possibility. I thought from what I read that Long Beach was the biggest of the 4, but I was curious if the others have more available room or not.

Dave

I have seen much more trains (both UP and BNSF) with steamship containers coming through than normal. I do not know if these are trains coming from Oakland with containers that would normally come in at LA/LB, however, I really do not see how this would alleviate any congestion down south.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by broncoman

Does anyone know if there is reserve loading/unloading capacity at the other west coast ports Oakland, Portland, Seattle, so if they wanted to steer ships to other ports that might be a possibility.

As a matter of fact the Port of Oakland recently doubled capacity and at the moment has 50% spare capacity. They announced plans with the California Integrated Logistics Center to handle some Long Beach overflow.baycrossings.com/Archives/2005/12_January/port_of_oakland_announces.htm

[broncoman]

Does anyone know if there is reserve loading/unloading capacity at the other west coast ports Oakland, Portland, Seattle, so if they wanted to steer ships to other ports that might be a possibility. I thought from what I read that Long Beach was the biggest of the 4, but I was curious if the others have more available room or not.

Dave

PS Was at the Ventura county fairgrounds over the weekend and got to see the Ballast train (with a NS engine in the consist) plus many track repair vehicles also. Surpriesed to see an NS unit on something that would seem more like a lease than a run through.

[Anonymous]

Might this explain why the tracks by my house have been devoid of freight trains for a while? [;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

Here is UP's main index regarding the situation. There is a page with pictures (and it is not a PDF!).
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/west_coast/index.shtml

I have not heard of either line opening, however, I have not seen any detour trains in the past few days. I did hear of an autocarrier going to Mira Loma from the Midwest coming through here though.

ericsp,

Last weekend (Friday 14th) the UP had a no injury derailment at Winnemucca that dried up traffic here in Reno that envolved about 21 cars. The trains didn't start rolling through here until Sunday.

Apparently, UP has since then started pumping an additional 5 to 10 trains a day over Donner Pass. The railroad has continued to operated manned helpers on the pass also.

Jim - Lawton, NV MP235.5

[ericsp]

Here is UP's main index regarding the situation. There is a page with pictures (and it is not a PDF!).
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/west_coast/index.shtml

I have not heard of either line opening, however, I have not seen any detour trains in the past few days. I did hear of an autocarrier going to Mira Loma from the Midwest coming through here though.

[ericsp]

UP expects the Coast Line and the LA&SL to be partially reopened on Monday.
http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/685cftys.asp

[dldance]

according to a report in the Las Vegas Sun today, the LA&SL will be opening at "partial capacity" on Monday. the report also indicated that some portions of the line are being raised 10 feet.

dd

[ericsp]

The LA&SL was still closed last night. I saw a unit train of empty NVPX hoppers this morning. According to the NHRS and Trains NVPX is the Nevada Power Company. I have not seen a coal train through here since 1996s. Too bad this one was not DRGW hoppers (although I did see four today) and SP, SSW, and/or DRGW locomotives.

[broncoman]

Eric,

Sorry about the confusion. I know BNSF comes into Stockton along hwy 4 and then I lost it until you see the BNSF yard in Bakersfield. I had just assumed from Stockton to Bakersfield the tracks stayed in between 5 and 99 until it gets close to Bakersfield then cuts back towards 99. I have seen some BNSF trains running SPs route along 99 some time ago though.

Dave

[Junctionfan]

Well the idea was an innocent one. There are lease units when not enough locomotives are available so I wondered about lease crews when not enough railroad crews are available.

[ericsp]

Yesterday was the day of the eastward (southbound), today is the day of the westward (northbound).

I saw an eastward auto train sitting on the tracks, about a mile behind it was a RVFRM (UP's designation would be MRVFR), they were sitting on DT or 2MT. At the next siding north was a RVWCM with the lead locomotive detached, this train was there yesterday with the lead locomotive still on. The RVWCM sitting in the yard yesterday was still there.

Westward trains I saw were WCRVM, ballast train, intermodal (almost completely steamship containers), and another WCRVM.

It is nice when your commute to and from work take you by the tracks.

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by broncoman
Does BNs route south stay in the middle of 5 and 99 all the way down to Bakersfield?

Between Bakersfield and Fresno, yes. It crosses UP(SP) on a diamond south of Fresno, and runs east of the 99 up through Stockton, where it again crosses back on a diamond.

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by broncoman

Does BNs route south stay in the middle of 5 and 99 all the way down to Bakersfield?

I am not sure what you are asking.

Here is the relations between the lines in the valley and major highways.
The SP's Fresno Line runs along side of Freeway 99 all the way from Manteca to Bakersfield. The freeway pulls away from the tracks at just about all cities, however, many of them have old Highway 99 (normally called Golden State Boulevard) along side of it. This is true of the Fresno to Kingsburg section.

Major roads along side of the BNSF tracks are a bit spotty. J7 runs along side of it from Empire to northern Merced. Highway 140 runs next to it from southern Merced to about Planada. It appears that Santa Fe Boulevard runs next to it from Planada to Avenue 24 in Madera County (I have never been on this road). Highway 43 runs next to it from a few miles north of Corcoran to Shafter. Finally, Santa Fe Avenue runs next to it from Shafter to the outskirts of Bakersfield. From Stockton to Fresno the BNSF tracks are on the east side of the Valley. From Fresno to Bakersfield, they are on the west side, between Freeway 99 and Interstate 5, but not visible by a long shot from either.

[ericsp]

Amtrak does not run on these tracks (except the Stockton to Sacramento line).

[broncoman]

Its just so much of a bummer that I will actually be spending next weekend in Ventura and won't be watching a train one. I have seen almost every line in CA in action except the coast line south of the San Jose area. Does BNs route south stay in the middle of 5 and 99 all the way down to Bakersfield? Although seeing the amount of trains that are headed south out of Sacramento traffic in the Central valley should be pretty awesome.

Dave

[Junctionfan]

Can UP hire Amtrak crews familiar with the territory as temps? Rather than move a bunch of engine crews from different districts, wouldn't it be easier to do that?

[ericsp]

This brings up some questions. At last I heard, UP had announced no anticipated reopening date for the Coast Line and some people are saying that it may be a long time before it reopens. Will UP need additional crews at Bakersfield, and crews for trains from West Colton to Bakersfield and Roseville to Fresno? If so, how long would it take to familarize crews that work the Coast Line with the appropiate territory, and if it is short enough will some work at the above terminals for awhile?

[ericsp]

I just returned from a fruitful railfaning trip on my way to and from work on which I saw no less than 11 trains. I appears that the trains detouring on the Fresno/Bakersfield lines from the Coast Line and the line through Las Vegas is clogging the line over Tehachapi. Three of the trains were what appeared to be MRVWCs sitting on one track of a DT or 2MT, a siding, and a yard track. The only northbound (westward) trains I saw was an Amtrak, and the MFRRV.

I was talking to a conductor. He told me that a vehicle vs. train collision had occured 25 miles south of where we were. UP needed that like a hole in the head. That would make all 3 north/south lines on the West Coast out of service until the clean up and investigation is complete.

I looks like the next few days, weeks, or maybe even month (if some predictions are correct) will be busy railfaning days in the San Joaquin Valley.