Traffic Frequency on the Rochelle diamonds

[curtissjoyce]

I noted today 10-04-07 on the recent images on the webcam a UP train crossing at 7:47 and a BNSF train crossing at 7:51, a four minute cushion.  Depending on how long the trains are this could create a problem it seems to me.  How is this managed?

[Chris30]

The simple answer is first come first serve. The signals at the diamond are not controlled by a dispatcher, they're automatic. The UP & BNSF dispatchers line their respective trains through the plant and at a certain point a train moving towards the Rochelle diamond will trip the signal circuitry. The signal at the Rochelle diamond and the approach signals will display the proper signals depending on if the plant is occupied ot not occupied.

CC

[curtissjoyce]

That sounds simple enough as long as the equipment is all working right, but I remember a few years ago when a train hit a rail grinding train there.

Thanks for the reply.

[blhanel]

Actually, IIRC, it was the rail grinding train on the UP that ran into the side of a passing BNSF stacker- a case of the operators not paying attention to how close they were getting to the diamonds?

[Chris30]

I was going to mention that rail grinding incident. Decided not to because I didn't think anybody was going to remember that. It was a WB rail grinder working track #2 on the UP that ran the red signal at Rochelle in the early evening about a year, or two, ago. It went into the side of the BNSF stacker sending some containers and their cargo flying. If I remember correctly, the excuse from the crew of the rail grinder was that they thought their track & time permit also covered the diamond.

CC

[JSGreen]

At one time there was a list of excuses which the CHP (California Highway Patrol) supposedly had heard at accident scenes...this reminds me of my favorite, "I was just cruising down the highway and a steam roller darted out in front of me....

[solzrules]

I had the incredible experience of being at Rochelle when the signals malfunctioned.  Of course, they all failed safe so pretty soon there were 3 trains with their noses pulled right up to the crossing.  I've never seen a signal maintainer move so fast....... 

[blhanel]

I've witnessed a similar situation, when a westbound BNSF stacker got stopped at the next signal to the west with the tail end of his consist blocking the diamonds.  It took them 20 minutes to resolve the problem (with the help of an eastbound BNSF train- makes me wonder if they did it just to get him through without waiting), and in the meantime two UP trains, one from each direction, slowly made their way right up to the diamonds, blocking grade crossings.  I've got pictures of the UP trains hitting the diamond simultaneously somewhere- I think they were taken with my old SLR, though, so I might have to scan them...

[jeffhergert]

I was going to mention that rail grinding incident. Decided not to because I didn't think anybody was going to remember that. It was a WB rail grinder working track #2 on the UP that ran the red signal at Rochelle in the early evening about a year, or two, ago. It went into the side of the BNSF stacker sending some containers and their cargo flying. If I remember correctly, the excuse from the crew of the rail grinder was that they thought their track & time permit also covered the diamond.

CC

The rail grinder outfits are not operated as "trains" but as maintenance of way equipment and have M O W employees for pilots, not train or enginemen.  A guy who has piloted some of these across segments of Iowa told me the M O W pilot on that grinder was not from that area.

Jeff 

[Chris30]

There used to be a tower called "NX at Rochelle that was operated by the CNW until @1965 (I think). It was owned by both the Burlington (@55%) and the CNW (%45). I was looking for some more info but couldn't find what I was looking for. If I find it, I'll post it.

CC

[WSOR 4025]

I heard that the railgrinder's engineer was unfarmiliar with rail grinding trains and he thought he had priority over all the trains at the diamonds. The engineer of an incoming BNSF intermodal yelled over the radio for the railgrinder to stop, since it was going a lot slower. The railgrinder stopped only about six inches from the diamonds, while the intermodal was cruising by pretty fast. The engineer of the railgrinder got spooked because the intermodal was going by so close so he decided to back up. However, he was so panicked that he forgot to put the train in reverse, so he smashed into the intermodal.

[EJE818]

I don't think the engineer on that grinder knew what he was doing. They do give signals on a first come, first served basis, but if the train doesn't get over the diamond within a certain amount of time the signal is taken away and the other line gets clearance to cross the diamond. I've seen that happen before when a BNSF train took to long to get through, and right when it was approaching the signals it was given the red and it had to hit the train into emergency. It ended up blocking the diamond and making a UP intermodal train hold up until they got the BNSF train going again.

[TimChgo9]

With the way the signals operate, how long will it be before there is a collision at the diamonds between freight trains?  And, have there been any collisions in the past?  Just wondering.

[northwesterner]

I have been at Rochelle when a WB BNSF was crossing the diamonds and I heard the horn of WB UP coal train. The UP came around the bend and glided to a stop about 50 feet short of the crossing. Once the BNSF train finished, the signals turned green for the UP.

It's just like crossing a one lane bridge with auto signals. You get a green and you cross, the other guys gets a red and waits.