Arizona

[MP173]

I just returned back to Indiana after a week in Arizona and I have a couple of questions.

What is the traffic level of the BNSF (ex Santa Fe) line to Phoenix? I passed their yard a couple of times and there appeared to be about 10 locomotives there.

I havent really heard much about that line and am unaware of the operations. Are there mountain grades or is it level? I would assume there are grades as the elevation is in the 6000 ft range on the mainline, compared to about 1000 in Phoenix.

I spent a short amount of time in Flagstaff. It appears there is a conversion of signals from the searchlite to three light signals. Is there a conversion to CTC, or is that already in place?

I ate, as I always do at the Crown Railroad Cafe on the east side of Flagstaff. I highly recommend it. Not only is the food excellent, but the BNSF mainline is across the street. During the hour or so there, five trains passed.

The BNSF just seems to be a heavyweight in that area. The Transcon line appears to be in excellent shape.

ed

[ChuckCobleigh]

Since the ATSF bypassed Prescott with the Paulden (I think that was the name) cutoff, I think most of the route from Ash Fork to Pheoneix is relatively gentle. The cutoff got around a nasty grade between Prescott and Skull Valley very neatly. The other serious segment would be between Kirkland and Congress, but the route swings north from Kirkland and back around to Congress...much better than the highway coming down from Yarnell to Congress.

I haven't been to Flagstaff in probably ten years or so, but I remember that the Transcon line was always very busy, pretty much round the clock.

[mudchicken]

Williams Junction- Crookton linechange of 1960 on the Peavine....The Crookton Cut-off and Prescott Bypass of 1962 (as we knew it) dropped 14 miles and dropped the 2 and 3% grades to a maximum of 1.5%

The Peavine is only 3-4 trains per day and not all of those run the length of the sub. UP/SP gets closer with their main track. Main track through Flag has been CTC for years. Two of my favorite station signs are on the line, including the very descriptive blind siding sign at "Lizard Acres"[:D]

[Modelcar]

Flagstaff ele. is around 7000 ft....I have always been amazed they ran the main line through there at that elevation.