The Overland route is being reworked to handle double stacks over the Hill. They ran an Engineering special from Omaha to Oakland to check out the tunnel work on Donner Pass on September 27th, 2009 and returned east on the 29th.
CAZEPHYR...so double stacks can use the # 2 track between Bowman and Colfax.
timzCAZEPHYR...so double stacks can use the # 2 track between Bowman and Colfax. No 1 track, you mean. Track 2 between Bowman and Colfax has Tunnels 22 thru 32, which haven't been enlarged.
You are right. Thanks for the correction.
I noticed a post on Train orders concerning the Donner tunnel modifications and it states the double stacks over Donner should start operation after Thanksgiving.
This should increase the amount of trains over the Hill durning the daytime since several stacks per day now use the FRC line.
The following picture is today's Z train westbound. I wanted to get a few of the Z trains before the double stacks start running over Donner. I am not sure any of the regular Z trains will run without the double stacks.
CZ
Would this train stop being? Aren't normal stacks pretty slow movers. This train seems to be normally overpowered when I see it, which I would assume someone is paying a premium for. I am just really looking forward to seeing double stacks again. Are all current doublestacks that go through the Feather being routed over Donner?
broncoman Would this train stop being? Aren't normal stacks pretty slow movers. This train seems to be normally overpowered when I see it, which I would assume someone is paying a premium for. I am just really looking forward to seeing double stacks again. Are all current doublestacks that go through the Feather being routed over Donner?
That is an interesting question and one I have no idea what is the correct answer. The Z trains are normally the hot ticket and move right along at track speed when they have clear track. I have seen the stack trains moving at track speed also but lately the Union Pacific has been running some very long stack trains.
I hope someone can speak to your question and we will see what the Union Pacific does after Thanksgiving with the stack and Z trains. I was under the impression some would be integrated as a single train but that has not been announced.
DId UP stop the work due to economic turndown?
Awesome!DId UP stop the work due to economic turndown?
I am not aware of any work stopping on this project.
The tunnel work and the cross overs look like they are complete except for the signals and maybe some of the control wiring. The signals at the East end of Colfax are installed and are turned sideways until they are commissioned and put on line for the dispatcher. I have not heard anything different and would expect them to start running double stacks in December this year. Have you heard anything different about the completion.
They have continued to work on this project is almost completed and the date for the new operation is after Thanksgiving.
Are they going to change the directions that trains are run. I am not sure if its due to construction or not buy the eastbound empty autoracks have been on the westbound track through Auburn the last couple of days, so has the local which I am assuming goes up to Colfax? I haven't seen anything with helpers going this way. Is the new crossover at Bowman behind Head Quarter house?
Thanks for the info.
New Bowman x-over is about the same place as the old one-- but it's 25? mph instead of 10.
Eastward stack trains will run on the usually-westward track Bowman to Colfax-- aside from that, no changes.
broncoman Are they going to change the directions that trains are run. I am not sure if its due to construction or not buy the eastbound empty autoracks have been on the westbound track through Auburn the last couple of days, so has the local which I am assuming goes up to Colfax? I haven't seen anything with helpers going this way. Is the new crossover at Bowman behind Head Quarter house?Thanks for the info.
The crossover is directly behind Americast Stone Inc. building, which is about one thousand feet or so west of the Head Quarters. We were up there picking up some precast concrete pieces and talked to the U.P. crew behind the building and looked at the newly installed crossover and the electric machines to operate it.
As Timz has said, the operation will allow the double eastbound double stacks to bypass the newer track #2 between Bowman and Colfax. The double stacks will use the # 1 track both directions but the other trains will probably still use the newer # 2 uphill since its grade is lower.
Another use might be for Amtrak to use the #1 eastbound if they need to pass a slower freight between Bowman and Colfax. The Roper eastbound freight normally waits at Newcastle if it leaves Roseville yard prior to #6 arriving. In that case, #6 runs up the steeper older #1 track to Newcastle and then it runs around the freight at Newcastle and then uses the crossover at Newcastle to use the # 2 track on to Colfax.
Americast Stone, INC
I saw a FRA inspection car behind a SD70 coming back down through Auburn today. The car went up Wednesday behind a AC4400 to check out the modifications I am assuming. Do the Tunnels from Rocklin to Newcastle on track 2 have enough clearance for doublestacks?
They're supposed to-- and Newcastle to Bowman too. They have done some work down there,
This is the new cross over installed with the signals in place and look to be in the position now for use. The first view is west bound.
Looking eastbound at CP RV129
Communications Box CP RV129
Nice pics. I may have to go check that out! Really looking forward to doublestacks. I wonder if the one unit up front and one unit in the rear will be enough for Donner?
broncoman Nice pics. I may have to go check that out! Really looking forward to doublestacks. I wonder if the one unit up front and one unit in the rear will be enough for Donner?
Thanks I wanted to see what it looked like and will go up to Colfax to check out that crossover next week or so.
The amount of units all depends on the weight of the train. The grain train usually has four up front, three to four in the middle and one to two on the rear of the train. Going back east empty, the grain trains usually only has front power and one on the rear. The lead power of those can be two or three units depending on the train.
I am looking forward to getting some pictures at the crossovers of the stack trains and the word on the street is saying they will start right after Thanksgiving. I am still waiting to hear if they run a test train to see if all is correct.
This is a Z train westbound at Colfax right over the cross overs in town.
Hey guys,
Do you know why they (UP) are cutting down the hill (or appear to) on the south side of track one, just west of the new crossover. I was noticing that it looks like there is a backhoe leveling the area south of the track. It almost looks like they are going to put a siding in.
Dave
broncomanHey guys, Do you know why they (UP) are cutting down the hill (or appear to) on the south side of track one, just west of the new crossover. I was noticing that it looks like there is a backhoe leveling the area south of the track. It almost looks like they are going to put a siding in. Dave
I have not noticed that work being done, but will check out the area next week to see what is going on. The latest word is the double stacks start next week on the 20th. That was on Trainorders, but we have no way to verify the timing.
The first double stack I have seen just passed the Auburn fairgrounds on track one headed west. Wasn't able to snap a picture sorry. Hopefully someone down the hill can.
The first train east went up the Hill on Thursday morning. It left Roseville right before 9AM. The first train westbound was Friday and that one was stopped at Truckee until 3:30 PM due to high wind. Saturday's train was westbound and all went well with that one.
By: Union Pacific Omaha, Neb., November 23, 2009 – Union Pacific Railroad opened its Donner Pass route to domestic double-stack intermodal container freight traffic Nov. 19, marking the completion of a 12-month project designed to move customer products over a shorter, faster and more efficient route. "The Donner Tunnel project is a great example of how Union Pacific capital investments continue to support our customers' ability to grow, drive increased operating efficiencies for our railroad and improve America's transportation infrastructure," said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. "Union Pacific has invested nearly $17 billion in our rail network since 2004 and remains committed to running the railroad as efficiently as possible while providing customers with the highest levels of service." The construction project included: •More than 18,000 lineal feet of notching to improve tunnel clearances in 15 restricted tunnels between the California cities of Rocklin and Truckee; •Upgrading 30 miles of system signals to centralized traffic control standards, thus eliminating dark territory and allowing signal technology to control train movement instead of radio communications between dispatchers and locomotive engineers; •Removing track, lowering the floor and reinstalling track in two tunnels, and •Installing rock bolts for added stability in five tunnels. "This project will benefit our customers by improving our intermodal transit times compared to the current Feather River Canyon route," said John Kaiser, Union Pacific vice president and general manager - Intermodal. "Completing this project will help us better serve our customers while supporting economic growth in Northern California and at the Port of Oakland." Union Pacific's Donner Pass route is as much as 73 miles shorter and up to three hours faster than the Feather River Canyon route, depending upon the destination. "Our Feather River Canyon route will continue to play a strategic role in how we serve our customers," Kaiser said. "The combined benefits of the Donner Pass improvements and our existing Feather River Canyon route will provide additional flexibility to our network as we strive to improve upon Union Pacific's record levels of customer satisfaction." In addition to utilizing the Donner Pass route for double-stack container rail traffic, the completed construction project provides Union Pacific the ability to operate up to 9,000-foot trains, a 58 percent increase over the 5,700-foot trains that run through Feather River Canyon. A single Union Pacific intermodal train takes up to 300 over-the-road trucks off America's congested highways, reducing highway congestion and repair costs, particularly over the busy I-80 highway system. In addition, rails are at least four times more fuel-efficient than trucks, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The tunnel at Newcastle shows the notching on both sides.
It would appear that they have started to combine doublestacks with Z-trains. I have been catching a westbounder usually in the morning around 11 that is overpowered (4 or 5 units) and no more that 30 cars. It usually has a around 10 well cars and double that of spine/all purpose wells. I am assuming this is part of the new schedule as the old "Z" usually came by between 12 and 2.
It looks like the work by the crossover I mentioned in a previous post was just to cut back a hill next to the tracks maybe for erosion?
Nice to see more trains through the day.
broncoman It looks like the work by the crossover I mentioned in a previous post was just to cut back a hill next to the tracks maybe for erosion? Nice to see more trains through the day.
This is at the Bowman crossovers today but no double stacks this day. The grain train has a large branch caught under the plow as you can see in the picture.
I am hoping I am correct in the assumption that the metal brackets that they put on the GP38 snow fighters are for icicles. If this assumption is correct would they need to modify them to be a little taller to clear tunnels and make it safe for doublestacks? Would they need to clear these before they send a train.
Great pics!. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the first westbound train after the storm on Monday morning. The front unit was covered in snow. If was very cool.
broncoman I am hoping I am correct in the assumption that the metal brackets that they put on the GP38 snow fighters are for icicles. If this assumption is correct would they need to modify them to be a little taller to clear tunnels and make it safe for doublestacks? Would they need to clear these before they send a train. Great pics!. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the first westbound train after the storm on Monday morning. The front unit was covered in snow. If was very cool.
Thanks
I missed the first west bound also but got the eastbound by chance.
The ice breakers will remain the same height since they hit the ice and it breaks off normally well above where it hits the ice and it is doubtful any ice would hurt the edge of a container if the ice breaker did not take out the whole piece of ice.
The extra clearance for the double stacks is mostly in the notching of the tunnels.
This is a westbound today.
The 1988 came into Colfax westbound early in 09 during one of the snow storms on the HIll behind the flanger.
broncomanGreat pics!. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the first westbound train after the storm on Monday morning. The front unit was covered in snow. If was very cool.
This is an eastbound today with some snow left but the next storm will be rain according to the weather forecasters. Sorry, it was not a double stack but used the crossovers from #2 to # 1 much like the DS would be using.
Now the 5422 east is on the # 1 track to Colfax.
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