Flooding in Upper Midwest

[blhanel]

Is that the same yard as the Iowa Northern yard, which is what I thought I was looking at in my second picture?  I know there's at least one UP engine sitting out there.

[RRKen]

What is the status of UP's north yard.  Last I heard it had about 400 cars and two locos that went swimming.

[Anonymous]

I believe that would be the ex-MILW yard down there - I watched a lot of CC&P action in that area in my days in town (when I worked at MCI my parking was there across the street from Cargill and QO - made for nice scenery during the walk).  That Cargill plant is one of the worst stinkers in CR - second only to the ADM plant on Hwy. 30.

I thought Penford was #2 on the stinker list.

Here's a couple of shots from today- first, another "drive-by shooting" out my window whilst coming down I-380 of Cargill's little mess:

Next, the view out my wife's hospital room window- in the distance, it would appear that there's at least one problem area in the Iowa Northern yard north of Quaker...

Note that CN's north yard in the foreground is still under water.

That crane in your second photo from the hospital room has been there since at least '93!  When I first got there, the CC&P was using it to dig a holding pond for drainage.  I guess it may have needed to be a little bigger.

[Anonymous]

I second that motion.  I lived in Cedar Rapids/Marion for 6 years and you'll never meet better people.  Just look at the TV coverage of this disaster and you'll see Iowans rolling up their sleaves and doin' what Iowans do best: Leanin' into the job and helping each other.  They're not sittin' back and waiting for others to do the work for them, or taking the opportunity to loot and steal and riot, and yell that it's all the government's fault.  They're pitchin' in and doing what has to be done, just like we did in '93 only on a much, much bigger scale.  The arch bishop of St. Paul has organized a donation fund and we'll be passing the basket a week from this Sunday for the collection, and my checkbook is open.  Give any way you feel best about, but let's give a lot.

[SFbrkmn]

I have met no finer people anywhere in this country than in  the state of Iowa. When I worked the brkmns board @ W Quincy in 2001-2002, we would have layovers in Burlington and that has become my favorite city in the state. Just friendly out going folks who don't deserve this. I would rather go through one of our infamous Kansas tornadoes than endure a flood. Our Methodist church began taking collections for flood victims and I'm sure will continue for wks to come. All you on this forum in Iowa and elsewhere effected by the flooding , God bless, my prayers are w/you.  

[blhanel]

Brian, do they have any idea what actually caused the elevator to do that?  Foundation shift?

I have no clue, and the local news media hasn't said much about it either.  Maybe some of our resident experts (MC, RWM?) might be able to speculate?

Have you been able to get out to Beverly and the bridge, to see whether things are returning to some semblance of normal?

Unfortunately, no.  With I-380 being the only route to the SW side currently, I've been really reluctant to join the rat race across it.

P.S.  Our best to Joanie--hope the recovery's speedy!

Thanks!

P.P.S.  Go on over to the history quiz--you're needed for either clarification or an answer!

On my way...

[CShaveRR]

Brian, do they have any idea what actually caused the elevator to do that?  Foundation shift?

Have you been able to get out to Beverly and the bridge, to see whether things are returning to some semblance of normal?

P.S.  Our best to Joanie--hope the recovery's speedy!

P.P.S.  Go on over to the history quiz--you're needed for either clarification or an answer!

[blhanel]

I believe that would be the ex-MILW yard down there - I watched a lot of CC&P action in that area in my days in town (when I worked at MCI my parking was there across the street from Cargill and QO - made for nice scenery during the walk).  That Cargill plant is one of the worst stinkers in CR - second only to the ADM plant on Hwy. 30.

I thought Penford was #2 on the stinker list.

Here's a couple of shots from today- first, another "drive-by shooting" out my window whilst coming down I-380 of Cargill's little mess:

Next, the view out my wife's hospital room window- in the distance, it would appear that there's at least one problem area in the Iowa Northern yard north of Quaker...

Note that CN's north yard in the foreground is still under water.

[Soo 6604]

Saw a Northbound detoured CP freight at Neenah Wi this morning about 10:00 am. AC on the lead with a SD40-2 trailing with 107 cars.

 

Paul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acGmta3IrDE

 

[Anonymous]

I believe that would be the ex-MILW yard down there - I watched a lot of CC&P action in that area in my days in town (when I worked at MCI my parking was there across the street from Cargill and QO - made for nice scenery during the walk).  That Cargill plant is one of the worst stinkers in CR - second only to the ADM plant on Hwy. 30.

[blhanel]

Here's a video off of the Weather Channel in regards to a bridge in Cedar Rapids.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid1604978369

It looks like the hopper cars full of ballast couldn't stabilize the bridge.

John 

 

That's the UP bridge by Quaker Oats, a double-track bridge built in 1893. The video was posted on the Weather Channel on 6/13. That leaves the UP mainline bridge remaining in CR. 

Incorrect- the UP bridge by Quaker is still hanging in there.  That video is of the old MILW/CRANDIC bridge going under.  Apparently the Weather Channel has exclusive rights to that video, as I haven't been able to find it anywhere else.

In other CR RR news, UP/CRANDIC/CN now have a new problem to deal with thanks to the flood- one of Cargill's elevators near Quaker split apart at the base, spilling a mountain of corn all over the west entrance to the southern-most yard headed out to the CN Manchester sub.  I've got some more pictures of the area near Quaker, as I'm currently conveniently located on the fourth floor of St. Luke's Hospital (Joanie had her knee surgery this morning, hooray!).  Stay tuned for their upload.

[eolafan]

Very impressive to watch...scratch one railroad bridge! Isn't the power of nature awesome at times?  I can't help the old TV commercial that goes something like "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!".

[Rwulfsberg]

Here's a video off of the Weather Channel in regards to a bridge in Cedar Rapids.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid1604978369

It looks like the hopper cars full of ballast couldn't stabilize the bridge.

John 

 

EDIT: Blhandel corrected me. Not UP at Quaker, but CRANDIC at Penford. I should've recognized the Alliant buliding to the RIGHT of City Hall in the background in opening of the video.

[eolafan]

Here is an excerpt from Amtrak's web site regarding the California Zephyr and also the Empire Builder service to Washington state. Their web site also noted Lincoln Service from Chicago and St. Louis as well as the Texas Eagle service is stopping at Lincoln, IL and NOT going past there to St. Louis because of the flooding:

Service Alert: Empire Builder and California Zephyr - Midwest Flooding Disrupts Service June 15, 2008 2 pm CDT Flooding in Wisconsin and Iowa is affecting Amtrak service between Chicago and Seattle/Portland, via Milwaukee and St. Paul and between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay, via Omaha and Denver. The full route between Kansas City and St. Louis, closed to passenger trains between Kansas City and Jefferson City, Mo., on June 14, is reopened to Amtrak trains, effective June 16. In addition to closing railroad routes and stations, flooded highways are making the provision of alternate transportation by chartered motorcoach impossible in some cases. Passengers are urged to call Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL if they have travel plans on the two routes below, through June 18. Those passengers with telephone contact information in their reservations are being called by Amtrak and offered future travel dates. Empire Builder, Trains 7/27/807 & 8/28/808 Service by the Empire Builder between St. Paul and Chicago is temporarily suspended due to flooding on the Canandian Pacific Railway route, effective June 10, and the closing of a detour route on the BNSF Railway, effective June 15. Alternate transportation by chartered motorcoach will be provided between St. Paul and Chicago, with the exceptions of Portage, Columbus and Milwaukee, Wisc., and Glenview, Ill. Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains are available as alternate transportation to and from Glenview and Milwaukee. California Zephyr, Trains 5 & 6 Service by the California Zephyr between Chicago and Denver is temporarily suspended due to flooding on the BNSF Railway route in Iowa, effective with the departures from Chicago on June 13 and from Emeryville, Cal. on June 12. Alternate transportation will be provided between Denver and points in Nebraska, including Omaha, by chartered motorcoaches. No alternate transportation is available to or from points in Iowa. Alternate transportation between Chicago and other points in Illinois will be provided by other Amtrak trains. Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

[jcitron]

Here's a video off of the Weather Channel in regards to a bridge in Cedar Rapids.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid1604978369

It looks like the hopper cars full of ballast couldn't stabilize the bridge.

John 

 

[wjstix]

Amtrak service from Chicago to Twin Cities / Chicago to Denver suspended.

BTW Spoky, appears that's a Burlington Route caboose behind the M-St.L engine.

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

Considering how badly the Turkey River flooded at Elkader, Iowa I'm wondering if the ICE mainline between La Crescent and Samoa will get hit again where it crosses the Turkey.  It just got flooded back in late April/early May.

From the latest Trains Magazine update I got, sounds like the CN's Iowa Division mainline is closed because of the Cedar River in Cedar Falls and another washout near Denison. 

Brian/Jeff, any idea as to how long the UP's "Overland Route" mainline may be closed to thru traffic? 

 

[Anonymous]

all i  can say is this will be a Dispatchers nightmare when this is over, and a MOW workers nightmare.

[CShaveRR]

Brian, I saw two different pictures of the bridge, which were about one foot and three feet below the obvious high-water line (on the power pole nearby).  The cars were still there, and in the latter shot the handrails of the bridge were just peeking.  I'm sure the bridge survived, but don't know about much else.  The cars will definitely need inspection (at least) before being used again.

We've been moving westbounds out of the yard, ready for the line to reopen (they're probably strung out along the main line from here to there!).  We got an MCBPR to hump yesterday; have no idea how that got to us.  This week's perishable train was being routed via Kansas City, St. Louis, and Yard Center to CSX at Barr Yard (it made it to KC last I checked).

One thing to point out--when it's time to get our railroad back in business, there will be no National Guard, no FEMA, or anything like that--it'll be all UP folks doing the work.  Same for the other lines.

[beaulieu]

The Empire Builder is now originating/terminating in Minneapolis due to the BNSF line being plugged up. That means the Builder and the Zephyr are now using buses into Chicago. I saw a couple coal trains on the Rochelle webcam. BNSF is rerouting coal trains due to the Iowa flooding. Very little has been going through on UP. CP hasn't been using BNSF either, also probably due to the extra BNSF trains. They have been running up to 8 detours a day on IC&E.

 

CP is routing all traffic to and from Chicago and Milwaukee for points in Western Canada via the scenic route through Detroit and Toronto. They were supposed to move some Portage, WI based crews to Ft. Wayne, IN to cover for the extra trains. Probably at least a week before CP is back running through Reeseville Marsh. At last report the water was 50" above the top of the rail. Only 198/199 and traffic for Soo Line points is supposed to be detouring over the IC&E.

[t.winx]

Hello all,

I am expecting to be in Grand Island, NE on Wednesday (6/18). From what I am hearing, UP and BNSF will be very slow through there. What do you guys think? Should railroads be running pretty steadily by then? I am with the Revelation Video Co. and we are doing the 6th "Longest Day" video at Grand Island, and we'd like to see train action. So, how many trains do you suspect will be heading through Grand Island on Wednesday? And what are the current stats on BNSF and UP on these lines? And recommendations of where we should relocate instead?

Thanks. 

Expect a LOT less trains than usual. UP's main through iowa will probably still be at a standstill so the only trains you will see on that line will be ones coming from Omaha. BNSF's coal line through IL is also closed and that will definately have an impact on this line, though probably not as much the UP line (not sure where all BNSF's coal trains are heading). I am just guessing, but there might not even be close to half the normal traffic amounts.

You will see UP trains moving from Gibbon west. The usual parade of coal trains will be moving plus you'll see the detours being run on the BNSF transcon, like the Z-trains.

[spokyone]

This is what happened on my side of the Mississippi. The M&SL engine & CBQ caboose was placed well above the flood level here in Keithsburg.

http://qconline.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=732070

 

[blhanel]

NOAA's website shows that the Cedar here in town is currently stuck at 24.3 feet, still way above the previous all-time record and probably uncomfortably close to the UP's bridge deck yet.  I still haven't seen any pictures or footage of the bridge since the crest, so I don't know how the cars in my picture fared.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=cidi4&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1

Hopefully it will resume its retreat soon.

According to the experts, our flood rates a 5 on a scale of 1 to 6 for disasters.  There have been only two 6's- 9/11 and Katrina.

EDIT: Article from yesterday's Des Moines Register on the current condition of Iowa's railroads-

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080614/BUSINESS/806140324/1029

[alstom]

Hello all,

I am expecting to be in Grand Island, NE on Wednesday (6/18). From what I am hearing, UP and BNSF will be very slow through there. What do you guys think? Should railroads be running pretty steadily by then? I am with the Revelation Video Co. and we are doing the 6th "Longest Day" video at Grand Island, and we'd like to see train action. So, how many trains do you suspect will be heading through Grand Island on Wednesday? And what are the current stats on BNSF and UP on these lines? And recommendations of where we should relocate instead?

Thanks. 

[TPWRY]

The Empire Builder is now originating/terminating in Minneapolis due to the BNSF line being plugged up. That means the Builder and the Zephyr are now using buses into Chicago. I saw a couple coal trains on the Rochelle webcam. BNSF is rerouting coal trains due to the Iowa flooding. Very little has been going through on UP. CP hasn't been using BNSF either, also probably due to the extra BNSF trains. They have been running up to 8 detours a day on IC&E.

good thing i went to rochelle yesterday BNSF only had 11 trains go through when i was there (including the amtrak train #7) in a 11-12 hour period the UP only had 7

[EJE818]

The Empire Builder is now originating/terminating in Minneapolis due to the BNSF line being plugged up. That means the Builder and the Zephyr are now using buses into Chicago. I saw a couple coal trains on the Rochelle webcam. BNSF is rerouting coal trains due to the Iowa flooding. Very little has been going through on UP. CP hasn't been using BNSF either, also probably due to the extra BNSF trains. They have been running up to 8 detours a day on IC&E.

[eolafan]

Not even close to the 1993 flooding, not even close...but bad enough just the same.

Since I originally wrote the post above the situation has grown much worse and has surpassed the impacts on 1993 so I am formally posting again to admit I was very wrong in my assessment and prognostication.

[Victrola1]

http://www.westburlingtoncity.com//index.php?m=20080615

 

From these photos, it looks like points to the south are getting it. No Zephyr through Burlington for a while.

[Anonymous]

Here is how you can help in the felief efforts for the victims of the flooding in the midwest:

http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_7844,00.html

http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/usc/WWW_USC.nsf/vw-news/763F28E2FB2F6C0D862574630064FD24?opendocument

Please bookmark them for you use, and also pass them along to your friends so that we all can help in the relief effort.

 

 

[blhanel]

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!

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...

Do you mean the ROCK's old bridge that used to go over the CNW main at C Street?  That was removed and replaced with a walking bridge.  Do you mean a different one?

Not much has been said about the Iowa Northern.  Their ex-ROCK line north out of Cedar Rapids must be submerged as it runs along the north bank of the Cedar, and they go through Vinton and Palo that have been hit hard.  They're gonna have a ton of work to do.

I think he means the RI bridge that crossed the Cedar River.  It would be north of the C Street overpass.  

Jeff

That's correct, it's just northeast of Mount Trashmore.

Just got another .35 of rain here, which is actually good, as it filled a barrel under my downspout with good toilet flushing water.