Reno, NV's ReTRAC Project (large JPGs)

[Anonymous]

An interesting major rail improvement project is taking place in Reno, Nevada. It is an out-growth of the 1996 merger of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads. This project is lowering Union Pacific’s “Overland Route” mainline tracks through the city. The 282 million dollar project’s official name is; “The Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor” or ReTRAC.

The ReTRAC Project is constructing a 2.3 mile long trench 33 feet below street level between Sutro Street on the east and Second Street on the west. This corridor once completed will contain two mainline tracks and a service road on the south side of the trench.

The ReTRAC Project is being constructed to standards permitting maximum train speeds of 60 miles per hour, and the re-construction of 11 street crossings built as street "bridges" across the top of the depressed trench.

Once completed there will be no turnouts or connections to other tracks within the project area except for the Reno Branch connection. Prior to cutting Union Pacific's existing mainline tracks for construction of the trench portion of the ReTRAC Project, a "shoo-fly" track to serve as a temporary bypass route for trains during the construction has been constructed adjacent to the project.

The City of Reno will own Union Pacific's current right-of-way along the 2.3 mile corridor. Amtrak’s station stop will be at the present site of the depot but, the station’s platform will be in the trench 33 feet below street level.

Granite Construction the general contractor on ReTRAC has pushed the project along so that it is now ahead of schedule, it is also under budget. An official of Granite stated a month ago or so; “Trains in the Trench by Thanksgiving 2005.”

I thought some on the Trains Board might like a look at this project as it is today 6 March 2005.

I thought some might enjoy a photo tour of the project. This first view is looking west from Keystone Ave - photo taken 3-6-05.



Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[Anonymous]

This next photo was taken facing east from Washington Street - photo taken 3-6-05

[Anonymous]

Again this view is looking east towards downtown from Ralston Street - photo taken 3-6-05

[Anonymous]

Looking into the trench from the south side between Ralston Street and N. Arlington Street photo taken 3-6-05.

[Anonymous]

This view is facing west from Virgina Street photo taken 3-6-05.

[Anonymous]

Looking east towards Sparks from N. Center Street. Amtrak's unused depot is on the right and the National bowling stadium on the left - photo taken 3-6-05.

[Anonymous]

Looking into the trench between N. Center Street and Lake Street at what will be Amtrak's Reno Depot - photo taken 3-6-05.

[Anonymous]

This last photo is taken looking east, the temporary Amtrak depot on the shoo-fly is seen to the right in this photo.



Here are links to two photo taken today of trains operating of the shoo-fly on Union Pacific's "Overland Route."

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=96642

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=96632

Jim - Lawton, NV MP236

[jeaton]

Jim

An interesting project. Love to hear those words "Ahead of schedule and under budget"

Great pics on the shoo-fly. Do you suppose it could be left in and used occasionally as a gesture to railfans? [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

Jay

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

Jim

Do you suppose it could be left in and used occasionally as a gesture to railfans?

Jay

Hey what fun! That's a good pipe dream!<G>

Jim

[Anonymous]

I find this to be very similiar to the BNSF/UP joint project in LA. This seems to be a trendy way to seperate road and rail yet preserve the route. Does anyone know of anymore projects like this??? Would like some more pics!!!! (after completion too!) [^][wow]

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wncrails

I find this to be very similiar to the BNSF/UP joint project in LA. This seems to be a trendy way to seperate road and rail yet preserve the route. Does anyone know of anymore projects like this??? Would like some more pics!!!! (after completion too!) [^][wow]

I don't remember exactly where it is, last time I went to San Diego (1999?) I noticed the Surf Line was in a trench through one of the cities between Los Angeles and San Diego.

[spbed]

Well Reno being a place where many tourists go it sounds very practical to do something like hat has been posted.

[railman]

Both the Milwaukee, and the Hill Lines here in MSP all put their tracks down in trenches back in the "old days" ...now some are turning into bike trails. I don't think that Reno project will be a bike trail anytime soon!

[chad thomas]

Thanks for posting those pix.
I stayed in the Golden Pheonix last month and my room was ne corner 17th floor(i think). while I was there I walked up to the Amtrak depot. The crews were working right through the night. This is quite a project, and a needed one.

Where is Lawton ? around Boomtown?

[chad thomas]

Say goodbye to photos of trains under the "biggest little city" sign on Virginia st.[:(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

Thanks for posting those pix.
I stayed in the Golden Pheonix last month and my room was ne corner 17th floor(i think). while I was there I walked up to the Amtrak depot. The crews were working right through the night. This is quite a project, and a needed one.

Where is Lawton ? around Boomtown?

As I understand it, the Golden Pheonix is where Amtrak houses their out of town crews. Lawton, NV is about half way between the Amtrak station and Verdi, there is a cross over there and during Espee days the Truckee help would pick up a train there.

[bobwilcox]

When this opens the Feather River Canyon will see a lot fewer trains East of Keddie.

[chad thomas]

I didn't see any Amtrak empoyees while I was there, But there shure were a lot of airline crews.

When I was still in high school (mid eightys) I lived in Alturas on the Modoc line. I would go to reno often. I would always check out the SP yard, and if I had time I would railfan between Reno and Boomtown. I have many pictures of this area taken in all kinds of weather conditions. Back then that was one of my favorite railfanning locations. But as I expanded my horizons and found more and better locations, I would go to this area less and less. The few times I did get to that area in the early 90s it seemed like traffic levels had fallen to the point that I would have better chances of seeing trains on the UP up around Doyle. I would travel between LA and Alturas on 395 to visit my family quite often during the 90s. Twards the later 90s I started to favor going over to 95 at bishop (via 6) and through Hawthorne-Fallon-Wadsworth-Gerlach. I like that route a lot better for 2 reasons. One is you can make much better time with the higher speed limits; the other is I like railfanning the Hazen and Gerlach areas. I even caught the Thorne turn a couple times. One of those times the power was a set of DRGW GP30s. That was a catch.
Well in 1999 I moved up to the Columbia river george in Washington, about 40mi from Vancouver. I lived there untill a year and a half ago. During this time I didn't get to the reno area that offten, but still managed to go over donner every year of two. For the last year or so I was back in Alturas (watching A&K salvage scrap the Modoc line). Now I am back in southern California and will be able to railfan the Reno area a lot more offten on family visits(my family still lives in Modoc).
I hope after the trench project is complete traffic levels will go up substantialy. When that happens I will surely railfan that area a lot more offten, Although I'll never get over loosing the SP. Oh well, better the borg than no trains at all.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

I didn't see any Amtrak empoyees while I was there, But there shure were a lot of airline crews.

When I was still in high school (mid eightys) I lived in Alturas on the Modoc line. I would go to reno often. I would always check out the SP yard, and if I had time I would railfan between Reno and Boomtown. I have many pictures of this area taken in all kinds of weather conditions. Back then that was one of my favorite railfanning locations. But as I expanded my horizons and found more and better locations, I would go to this area less and less. The few times I did get to that area in the early 90s it seemed like traffic levels had fallen to the point that I would have better chances of seeing trains on the UP up around Doyle. I would travel between LA and Alturas on 395 to visit my family quite often during the 90s. Twards the later 90s I started to favor going over to 95 at bishop (via 6) and through Hawthorne-Fallon-Wadsworth-Gerlach. I like that route a lot better for 2 reasons. One is you can make much better time with the higher speed limits; the other is I like railfanning the Hazen and Gerlach areas. I even caught the Thorne turn a couple times. One of those times the power was a set of DRGW GP30s. That was a catch.
Well in 1999 I moved up to the Columbia river george in Washington, about 40mi from Vancouver. I lived there untill a year and a half ago. During this time I didn't get to the reno area that offten, but still managed to go over donner every year of two. For the last year or so I was back in Alturas (watching A&K salvage scrap the Modoc line). Now I am back in southern California and will be able to railfan the Reno area a lot more offten on family visits(my family still lives in Modoc).
I hope after the trench project is complete traffic levels will go up substantialy. When that happens I will surely railfan that area a lot more offten, Although I'll never get over loosing the SP. Oh well, better the borg than no trains at all.

Chad,

Certainly enjoyed the above. Alturas, wow - home to one of Espee's consolidations, my favorite Espee steamer. As a matter of fact, that park locomotive spent time on the Westwood branch hauling Fruit Growers Supply Company logs from Westwood Junction to Susanville.

Its interesting to note, that in 1997 UP predicted that in about 5 years there would be 25 trains a day for the "Overland Route" through Reno. That included Amtrak's 5 and 6 and 2 BNSF trackage right trains. Others predicted about 36 a day. Today it adverages about 17 to 19 trains a day. And I'd subjectively say it seems more than 10 go by at night.

Did you get photos of the scapping of the Modoc? During the winter of 96/97 that piece of railroad saved UP's bacon. When you were high school in Alturas, I'd go through town twice a week on my way to Washington. I'd always stop at the Wagon Wheel Cafe for dinner on my north bound trip. About 1985 or so, I hit 5 cows on the controled access part of 395 on Sage Hen. That was exciting!

Because trains can be few on this line at times, I usally chase the ones I see, as opposed to sitting and waiting for them to come to me. I get bored after a couple of hours with no trains.

Here is a photo that you might enjoy, remembering your trips from southern CA to Alturas.


Jim - Lawton, NV MP 236

[unclejoe009]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by wncrails

I find this to be very similiar to the BNSF/UP joint project in LA. This seems to be a trendy way to seperate road and rail yet preserve the route. Does anyone know of anymore projects like this??? Would like some more pics!!!! (after completion too!) [^][wow]

I don't remember exactly where it is, last time I went to San Diego (1999?) I noticed the Surf Line was in a trench through one of the cities between Los Angeles and San Diego.

ericsp-
Yes there is part of the route that is in a trench on the Surf Line. Its through Solana Beach because the city of Del Mar didn't want to pay for a station there so they put it in Solana Beach instead.

SP9033-
Great pics and info on the project. I'll have to check it out if I go visit a friend that lives in Reno. But is it me, or do those bridges look a little low??

[Anonymous]

Joe

Yes, the bridges over the trench don't look high enough. But they must be. If you get up this way for a visit, let me know, I'd give you a guided tour.

Jim

[chad thomas]

Jim,

I didn't get any pictures of the Modoc getting scrapped. I was either unemployed or working grunt jobs that didn't pay while I was there last year, so I didn't have money for things like film and gas. I'm sure my father (also a railfan) did get pleanty of shots on his digital camera though.

It's funny you should mention the Wagon Wheel, The people that run it are old friends of mine (Tony & Jenny). I don't know if they ran it back in 85' but I do know they were running it in 89'. Boy we used to do some serious partying.

Where is that picture taken? It looks like the top of the hill north of Wendel, but I can't quite place the exact spot.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

Jim,

I didn't get any pictures of the Modoc getting scrapped. I was either unemployed or working grunt jobs that didn't pay while I was there last year, so I didn't have money for things like film and gas. I'm sure my father (also a railfan) did get pleanty of shots on his digital camera though.

It's funny you should mention the Wagon Wheel, The people that run it are old friends of mine (Tony & Jenny). I don't know if they ran it back in 85' but I do know they were running it in 89'. Boy we used to do some serious partying.

Where is that picture taken? It looks like the top of the hill north of Wendel, but I can't quite place the exact spot.

Chad,

That photo was taken from US 95A, thats the road that runs from Schurz to Yerington, about two miles outside of Shurz. Its the Thorne job, it was taken during 1999.

Jim

[chad thomas]

Jim,
Nice picture, I've never taken the road to Yerington. Between Hawthorne-Fallon I've only traveled 95, by Walker lake. I'll never forget the time my grandmother was with me when they were bombing at the test range north of Schurz. I can't belive they do that so close to the road. It's almost as if it's a show for the tourists. And what a show it is.

Anyway, please keep shareing more of your photos. I would really be interested is seeing more pix of the Mina branch, new or old.

[jeaton]

Jim

That pic you posted of the rear of the freight train in the desert. What in the world was in the way that required the alignment to form the shallow "U". Any idea?

Jay