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Flooding in Upper Midwest

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:25 PM

How high does it have to get before Hanelhurst is jeopardized?  Saw Cedar Rapids on the network news tonight.

We're expecting some of your leftovers tonight; after it got up to 90 degrees today the storms could get violent.

We are now subdividing North Platte and Des Moines blocks, so that when things eventually get moving again, we'll be able to send some trains beyond those yards.  At least that's the theory--so far Hinkle and Pocatello blocks don't take too much away from North Platte.  They need a Salt Lake City block!

Besides, nothing's going anywhere, anyway, as of yet (but we're getting ready!).

Stay safe out there!

Carl

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Posted by blhanel on Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:38 PM
 CShaveRR wrote:

How high does it have to get before Hanelhurst is jeopardized? 

Oh, probably 133 feet... but then if it got that high, the whole Mississippi basin would be washed into the gulf.

Another couple of heavy thundershowers have gone through, and now we're up to 4.07 inches for the day.

EDIT: Final tally for the day (I hope so anyway, the radar looks clear to the west)- 4.49 inches.

They're claiming that this isn't really adding to the current flood crest, but I have a hard time believing that.

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Posted by SchemerBob on Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:32 PM

A brief report of the railroad closures: http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/19872304.html

Sounds like the Zephyr is suspended and won't go through Iowa or Illinois. The floodwaters are about to go over the tracks in Ottumwa, IA, one of my favorite train watching locations. I was up there watching trains only three days ago ... I can't imagine how the railroads will be able to deal with this. All systems halted, it sounds like.

Long live the BNSF .... AND its paint scheme. SchemerBob
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:20 PM

I just got back from Austin, MN - went there to help with the sandbagging efforts.  Oakland Ave., which is the main east-west road through town is completely under water.  I came in from the north and got a look at the flood water about 75 yds. west of the ICE (ex-MILW) line through town.  The water was half-way up the side of a Winnebago that'd been left parked on the street.  The river has crested and was receding when I got there, but after driving around for 30 min. I finally found two guys still filling sandbags in-case more rain appeared and I pitched-in.

Looks like the ICE's bridge over Oakland Ave. should be above water, but I couldn't see it from where I was and I couldn't get any closer.  I'd have to believe the grade-crossing at 4th Ave. SE south of Oakland Ave. might be overrun.

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Posted by greyhounds on Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:22 PM
 Soo 6604 wrote:

Theres a dam in Mukwonago, WI that the local news this morning was saying thats going to fail. Right in the rivers path is the CN mainline. Theyve said when the dam goes, the railroad bridge will go with it also.

The line is the CN Chicago-Superior main located about 20-25 miles SW of Milwaukee on Interstate 43.

If that dam holds through tonight, then I think it's a good dam.

My house is below the dam near the CN line in Antioch, IL.  (I never knew the dam existed, let alone that my house was below it.)  If that dam goes it'll take the CN line with it and dump the water into the Chain 'O Lakes which will flood a lot of homes near Antioch.  I think my place will be OK.  But here in my "other" home, an apartment in N. Fond du Lac, the water is within 3 feet of my patio and rising fast.  It just keeps raining.

Off in the distance, an air horn keeps blowing.  I think it's either a stalled trucker or a towboat making the first run on the new Wisconsin bargeway.

"By many measures, the U.S. freight rail system is the safest, most efficient and cost effective in the world." - Federal Railroad Administration, October, 2009. I'm just your average, everyday, uncivilized howling "anti-government" critic of mass government expenditures for "High Speed Rail" in the US. And I'm gosh darn proud of that.
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Posted by Soo 6604 on Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:47 PM

From hearing chatter on the scanner, sounds like the CN is stopping all trains at FDL and not letting anything go south

Fond Du Lac and Oshkosh got drenched today with over 6 inches of rain. As i type this, another good storm is hitting the area. 50-75% of the city streets in Oshkosh is unpassable.

Saw video from Cedar Rapids and all I can say is WOW

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Posted by Boyd on Friday, June 13, 2008 2:13 AM
I bet that there are a few abandoned RR lines that the railroads wish were still intact right now so they could easier run around this mess.

Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 6:54 AM
This morning's news- even though we're on high ground, we're still feeling the effects of this in a big way today.  Only one of Cedar Rapids four main water wells is still functioning, so the city has asked all residents to conserve water usage by only using it for drinking.  Also, last night the water got so high that it started flooding the ground floor at Mercy Medical Center, which they are now evacuating.  I think it's safe to assume that Joanie's knee surgery, which is scheduled for Monday at Mercy, will not happen.Sad [:(]
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Posted by spokyone on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:10 AM
From Wisconsin DOT. The highway bridge to Winona MN is now closed. A ferry is now running across the Missipp for passengers.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:20 AM

 spokyone wrote:
From Wisconsin DOT. The highway bridge to Winona MN is now closed. A ferry is now running across the Missipp for passengers.

That isn't because of the flooding - they closed that bridge last week because they found some violations during inspection.

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Posted by wgnrr on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:20 AM

According to the net', that is non-flood related, as they found severe ammounts of corrision.

Phil 

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Posted by Soo 6604 on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:21 AM

 spokyone wrote:
From Wisconsin DOT. The highway bridge to Winona MN is now closed. A ferry is now running across the Missipp for passengers.

That wasnt due to the rain or anything, it was shut down because of structual

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MN_WINONA_BRIDGE_REOPENING_WIOL-?SITE=WIFON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:23 AM

 blhanel wrote:
This morning's news- even though we're on high ground, we're still feeling the effects of this in a big way today.  Only one of Cedar Rapids four main water wells is still functioning, so the city has asked all residents to conserve water usage by only using it for drinking.  Also, last night the water got so high that it started flooding the ground floor at Mercy Medical Center, which they are now evacuating.  I think it's safe to assume that Joanie's knee surgery, which is scheduled for Monday at Mercy, will not happen.Sad [:(]

Any updates on the two CNW bridges in CR? 

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:52 AM
The one at Quaker appears to be hanging in there based on the latest pictures.  No one's paying any attention to the transcon bridge, though- it's downstream from downtown.  I wish it were easier to get around to that side of town; I'd throw my bicycle in the van and get on the bike trail off of US 30 and ride down to the ped bridge (where I got my previous picture Wed. night).
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Posted by Soo 6604 on Friday, June 13, 2008 9:59 AM

 blhanel wrote:
The one at Quaker appears to be hanging in there based on the latest pictures.  No one's paying any attention to the transcon bridge, though- it's downstream from downtown.  I wish it were easier to get around to that side of town; I'd throw my bicycle in the van and get on the bike trail off of US 30 and ride down to the ped bridge (where I got my previous picture Wed. night).

I was just about to post asking about the UP double main bridge.  An updated picture would be sweet but what about a video?

Still trying to find a video of the train bridge coming down but to no avail

Paul

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Posted by ALCOC415 on Friday, June 13, 2008 10:11 AM
 we (Burlington Junction Railway) are closing the flood wall in Quincy, Ill tomorrow. We plan on working out of our yard until the BNSF gets shut down at W. Quincy. In Burlington they are closing the flood wall today over our tracks.
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Posted by nanaimo73 on Friday, June 13, 2008 10:23 AM
BNSF's Quincy bridge is the only railroad bridge built between St. Louis and Minneapolis high enough to clear river traffic with a fixed span. It seems somewhat ironic that it looks like it will be the first to close. Hopefully it will be the only one to close.
Dale
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Posted by Los Angeles Rams Guy on Friday, June 13, 2008 10:28 AM

The CPRS mainline between Milwaukee and Portage remains closed as of today (Friday 6-13); no word on when it'll be reopened.  For the time being, it looks like detours are being split between the BNSF southward from La Crosse and also on the ICE from La Crescent down to Sabula and then eastward to Bensenville.  I'm still not sure what Amtrak's Empire Builder is doing.

Brian, do you happen to know the status of CN's Iowa Division mainline from Dubuque westward?  Also, the IAIS from the Quad Cities westward? 

"Beating 'SC is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that." Former UCLA Head Football Coach Red Sanders
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Posted by CNW 6000 on Friday, June 13, 2008 11:50 AM

CN put two on the ground last night I was told this morning.
-One was a washout on the Neenah Sub mainline near MP 179 north of Oshkosh.
-The rescue train dispatched with one engine and several cars of ballast to shore up the area struck another washout on the main south of Oshkosh. The engine and some of the cars supposedly on their sides as well. The crew was reportedly unhurt climbed out the side window of the locomotive.

The same source for that info reported water over the rails near Byron and that nothing is moving north or south from FDL.

Dan

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2008 11:50 AM
 Los Angeles Rams Guy wrote:

The CPRS mainline between Milwaukee and Portage remains closed as of today (Friday 6-13); no word on when it'll be reopened.  For the time being, it looks like detours are being split between the BNSF southward from La Crosse and also on the ICE from La Crescent down to Sabula and then eastward to Bensenville.  I'm still not sure what Amtrak's Empire Builder is doing.

Brian, do you happen to know the status of CN's Iowa Division mainline from Dubuque westward?  Also, the IAIS from the Quad Cities westward? 

Nothing's detouring over the UP (St. Paul - Eau Claire - Milwaukee)?

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Posted by CNW 6000 on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:12 PM
Not a good time to be working for the RR.  Unless you're MOW!

Dan

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Posted by Los Angeles Rams Guy on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:23 PM
 WIAR wrote:
 Los Angeles Rams Guy wrote:

The CPRS mainline between Milwaukee and Portage remains closed as of today (Friday 6-13); no word on when it'll be reopened.  For the time being, it looks like detours are being split between the BNSF southward from La Crosse and also on the ICE from La Crescent down to Sabula and then eastward to Bensenville.  I'm still not sure what Amtrak's Empire Builder is doing.

Brian, do you happen to know the status of CN's Iowa Division mainline from Dubuque westward?  Also, the IAIS from the Quad Cities westward? 

Nothing's detouring over the UP (St. Paul - Eau Claire - Milwaukee)?

There could be.  I'm simply not aware of it at the moment.  Just from checking the A.E.I. reader at La Crescent, I see that one westbound detour train came by there yesterday in the late A.M. (with 53 autoracks; man, how I WISH I could have watched that baby go through both Lansing and New Albin.....arrrrrgggghhh!) and then later on that afternoon there was a long eastbound that headed toward Sabula.  So it looks like 2 a day on the ICE and not sure how many detour trains BNSF would be accepting.

Brian, are the two UP bridges in C.R. still standing strong?    

"Beating 'SC is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that." Former UCLA Head Football Coach Red Sanders
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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:40 PM
 Los Angeles Rams Guy wrote:

Brian, do you happen to know the status of CN's Iowa Division mainline from Dubuque westward?  Also, the IAIS from the Quad Cities westward? 

I haven't heard any bad news about either, and there's nothing on the Yahoo list about any problems on the CNIC- their bridge at Cedar Falls must have survived.  I think the water's back down below track level there now, so maybe they're up and running?

The IAIS Yahoo site, however, reports a washout just west of Moscow, IA (yep, the Cedar River) which has severed the mainline.

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 12:43 PM

 Los Angeles Rams Guy wrote:

Brian, are the two UP bridges in C.R. still standing strong?

Nothing new to report there at this time- monitoring local news.

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 1:16 PM
KCRG just showed some aerial video of the C&NW bridge near Quaker- there are at least a dozen houseboats that broke from their moorings upstream that are jammed against that bridge, and it's still holding!
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Posted by WSOR 3801 on Friday, June 13, 2008 2:51 PM

The CP is also running detours from Portage, down the M&P to MADison, thence to Roundout via WSOR. 

The UP Adams Sub is very slow now.  Nothing past here Monday-Tuesday.  Heard 1-2 trains yesterday, usually hear more than that.   This was tied down in the siding Sunday night, the motor left Wednesday-Thursday.

 

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Posted by blhanel on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:11 PM

The IDOT just announced that I-380 over the Coralville Reservoir between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City will be closed by 6 PM today.  Water from the reservoir is on the verge of flowing OVER the freeway.  Their recommended detour- take I-80 west to I-35 at Des Moines, I-35 north to US 20, US 20 east to I-380 at Waterloo, then I-380 south!Wow!! [wow]

Saw some more aerial video this afternoon which showed that the old Rock Island RR bridge south of downtown, which was abandoned and the city wanted to remove, is now in the drink.  Takes care of that problem...

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Posted by jrbernier on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:18 PM

  The highway bridge at Winona is scheduled to re-open Saturday morning.  There is a limit of only emergency vehicles, cars, pickups, vans & SUV's on the bridge.  32 gussets are scheduled for repair/replacement.  This was found during the inspection.

Jim

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Posted by EJE818 on Friday, June 13, 2008 3:22 PM
Sounds like a bridge in Oshkosh on the WC failed and took a train with it.  I wonder if that would be the swing bridge.
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Posted by CNW 6000 on Friday, June 13, 2008 4:12 PM
Nope...the swing bridge was still standing and appeared to be aligned as of noon.  The water wasn't to the bottom of the bridge.  That doesn't mean that something didn't shift...but it didn't get topped or dunked.

Dan

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