Ft. Worth, Texas Tower 55

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wrwatkins

I should have looked at the great photos that were posted by Mike Gibbs before posting my last reply.

Mr. Watkins,
Thank you for the kind words...I don't really consider maintaining skills as a photographer, all I did was point the digital camera with great sunlight yesterday! You've got great information concerning all of the train movements between Dallas and Ft. Worth.
Mike

[Anonymous]

I should have looked at the great photos that were posted by Mike Gibbs before posting my last reply. Amtrak does not use the T&P station that is on the east-west T&P/MP/UP main line just west of the quadruple diamond. They use the 9th Street Intermodal station (former Santa Fe Station) that is on the north-south tracks about 1 mile north of the diamonds. Amtrak uses the UP line between Dallas and Fort Worth. To reach the Intermodal station Amtrak must use the connector track shown in the lower left corner of Mike's photos #6, 12, & 14 which heads it south. They stop, throw the switches and back north to the Intermodal station. The reverse is done for the northbound Texas Eagle. This little action add about 30 minutes to Amtrak's trip for the Texas Eagle. The Intermodal station is also the southern terminis of the Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. While on the Dart board I worked hard to permit Amtrak to use the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) line between Dallas and Fort Worth to evade this backing motion. I believed that we should be looking at improving transit in the area regardless of who was providing the service. Unfortunately capacity limitations prevented accepting the Amtrak train except for when the UP main was out of service without really screwing up the schedules. TRE for the most part is a single track railroad. We are working to double track it, however this will not be done for an additional 5-7 years. Even with the single track line we have managed to pump up to 84 trains per day over the corridor. Besides TRE, three railroads have trackage rights over the corridor: UP, BNSF, and Fort Worth and Western. UP has a double track main between Dallas and Fort Worth about 3 miles south of the TRE line which they say is at capacity with the current 34 trains per day. We run 84 on a single track. What is wrong with this picture?

*** Watkins

[Anonymous]

The T&P station still exists in all of its glory. The Trinity Railway Express terminates at the T&P station. The first floor of the station has been refurbished and is used as a meeting room/ballroom. It is a great place to visit in its art deco style. The upper floors were going to be converted into a hotel, however, I believe that has fallen through.

*** Watkins
"Retired" DART board member and DART's rep to the TRE advisory committee.

[SALfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Is the T&P offices, station and terminal still standing? what is it's fate? did they start renovations or is it gone. Photos, we need photos. What a classic building.

Believe I read somewhere that it had been or would be renovated into state offices. Don't know if that ever actually happened. It was still there the last time I was in Ft. Worth, 3 or 4 years ago.

[tatans]

Is the T&P offices, station and terminal still standing? what is it's fate? did they start renovations or is it gone. Photos, we need photos. What a classic building.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RudyRockvilleMD

Where did you take your photos from? Are there places near the tower from which you can photograph trains passing the junction without having to trespass on railroad property? By the way, is the tower still standing?

Good Early Morning,
The photos were taken from the tower, which is still standing. The tower is manned by the UPRR Police Department. A bunch of real great guys. I was told this is one of a few of the only places left in the country with this type of double interlocker track arrangement. One of the railroaders I was talking with has worked for the Texas and Pacific, then the Missouri Pacific and finally the UP, totaling over forty years of experience. Even though access to the tower area is limited, there are several areas in the immediate vicinity that offer good vantage points. There's all sorts of traffic moving from all directions.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Where did you take your photos from? Are there places near the tower from which you can photograph trains passing the junction without having to trespass on railroad property? By the way, is the tower still standing?

I visited Dallas and Ft Worth last Ocotber. I was too interested in the Trinity Rail Express's RDC's, the Union Pacific's bridge over the Trinity River in Dallas, and the Mc Kinney Avenue trolley.

[Anonymous]

Hello Mike,

Great pictures. I too see the TXIX Rapid Discharge Hoppers on the BNSF, over at Beltline and I-35. Do you know who owns the TXIX Hoppers? Is that the Lessor?

Best regards,
Frank Swafford

[Anonymous]

Today in Texas was a great day. The temperature was in the mid-70's and the sun was shining all day long. Seeing how I had the day off and didn't want to let the day go to waste, I thought I would go explore Ft. Worth and see if I could stir up some photos. Follow the link below to see some of the action from Tower 55.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mjgibbs820