Does anyone know BNSFs' plans to double track the line through Ft Madison Iowa and what do they plan to do to aliviate the bottle neck due to the single track bridge over the Mississippi River?
The Santa Fe Swing Span is a double-deck bridge with BNSF double track on the lower deck and a toll road on the upper deck.
It has clearance for doublestacks.
https://iowadot.gov/historicbridges/historic-bridges/fort-madison-bridge
http://industrialscenery.blogspot.com/2016/06/santa-fe-bridge-over-mississippi-river.html?m=1
https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/photosviewer.php?bridgebrowser=iowa/fortmadison/&gallerynum=1&gallerysize=1
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/814018/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/798295/
for right now, USACE (Army Corps) and BNSF are all on the same page and progressing about as well as can be expected.
USACE calls the shots here. So far the rubber tired bubbas have stayed in-line. Hope that continues.
I watch the Ft Madison rail cam every day. It is a busy line. My original question is, since this is single track with a single track bridge is BNSF going to add a second track and and another span.
caldreamer I watch the Ft Madison rail cam every day. It is a busy line. My original question is, since this is single track with a single track bridge is BNSF going to add a second track and and another span.
And, again: There are two main tracks on the bridge.
Here's a video taken from the rear car of Amtrak train 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg_NqtOJLQ4
--Mark Meyer
caldreamerI watch the Ft Madison rail cam every day. It is a busy line. My original question is, since this is single track with a single track bridge is BNSF going to add a second track and and another span.
The bridge has two tracks. There are at least 3 tracks on the Iowa side as I have seen that many trains moveing at the same time on the camera.
If another span were to be added that would be the 3rd and probably 4th track crossing the river.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The third track to the west is the former CB&Q K Line that runs along the Mississippi River between Burlington, IA and St. Louis. Completely unrelated to the BNSF Transcon other than being owned and operated by the same company. Historically it has been a major PRB coal route.
Ft Madison is double tracked. Why is the line TWC (Track warrent) per the BNSF Springfield division employee timetable (Kemper to West Quincy) and not CTC since it is a very busy line?
You seem to be looking at wrong information in every respect on this matter. The line that crosses the river in FM is the former AT&SF mainline - the Chillicothe Sub east of FM and Marceline Sub west thereof. CTC territory.
PennsyBoomer:
Ft Madison, Iowa is on the Hannibal Sub of the Springfield Division.
Cal, the single track nearest to the FM cam is the line that goes south (camera right) along the Mississippi through W. Quincy and Hannibal to St. Louis. The double track ATSF main nearest the river goes over the bridge to Illinois.
There is connecting track between the lines in southernmost FM that is probably used mainly for local switching.
Google Earth shows all this very plainly.
Rick
rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.
caldreamer Ft Madison is double tracked. Why is the line TWC (Track warrent) per the BNSF Springfield division employee timetable (Kemper to West Quincy) and not CTC since it is a very busy line?
Mostly because it's not "a very busy line." Some coal (for Machens, MO) and mostly local freight to serve customers in and around Fort Madison and Keokuk. Note that the Hannibal sub DOES have CTC south of West Quincy toward St. Louis where the line accommodates heavier traffic to/from the major yard at Galesburg.
This morning was watching the web cam and saw 4 trains in one hour. 1 merchandise and 3 stack trains. Have seen some intermodal and hopper trains, but not as often as the others. Seems to be mostly stack trains in both directions.
All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray.
I don't have detail, but mile for mile the Southern Transcon has got to be one of the busiest, freight main lines in North America, if not the busiest.
[quote user="kgbw49"]
Yes indeed, and if any of you should be driving along I-40 you will witness it. I suggest a stop at Winslow, AZ where you may enjoy a wonderful meal, and a very nice room if you wish, at the La Posada hotel which is adjacent to the three main tracks. From the patio you may sit and enjoy the activity which at time has 100 trains a day.
Will a girl in a flatbed Ford slow down to have a look at me?
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