Flooding in Upper Midwest

[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]

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!".

[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.

[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.

[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

 

[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.

[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]

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...

[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.  

[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.

[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.

[RRKen]

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

[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.

[jeffhergert]

The UP's North yard is the ex-RI yard by Quaker Oats.

They've started deadhead crews to Clinton today.  I'ld guess this means the main is close to re-opening.

Jeff

[blhanel]

Here's a couple of shots I just got while wandering around outside the hospital-

A very dark Quaker Oats plant

St. Luke's helicopter:

[Victrola1]

Why the Cargill mess? The photos look like the grain elevators failed at their bottom.

I have seen flooded metal grain bins on farms burst at the bottom. Soaked grain swells. I wonder if this is what happened at Cargill.

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

Brian,

Some very good shots of what's been going on in C.R......Just amazing.

Meanwhile, it appears that the Turkey River bridge on the ICE must still somehow be hanging in there as the CP detours continue to roll hot and heavy on "my mainline" between La Crescent and Samoa.   Looks like there were at least 3 CP trains on Saturday (6-14)  4 on Sunday (6-15), and 3 again yesterday in addition to the normal ICE trains.  Another eastbound intermodal train went by the La Crescent reader very early this A.M.  Not sure when the Chicago-Twin Cities mainline between Milwaukee and Portage will be up and ready to go again.  Only wish I could be getting shots of all these detours going through the middle of the street in Lansing.     

[CShaveRR]

They've started deadhead crews to Clinton today.  I'ld guess this means the main is close to re-opening.

UP's report as of yesterday afternoon said that the Clinton, Trenton, and Tara Subs were all that remained out of service.  A lot of subdivisions that had been shut down (including the Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Adams Subs to the north) are now open.  If they were deadheading the crews to Clinton, I guess that line is at least now capable of being inspected, and the results look pretty good.

[Chris30]

From reading the posts on this thread, watching the news, etc. it sounds like the main issue to getting the UP Overland Route through Iowa back up and running again is the Cedar River bridge. Anybody have any ideas on how long it's going to take to inspect and repair that bridge? What's the process? If I'm reading / following everything, once that bridge reopens and traffic starts moving on the Overland Route through Iowa again it will be the only east/west main line open accross the state. That would mean a lot of trains. Not just UP, but also detours from BNSF, CN, IAIS and maybe even the Amtrak Cal Zeph. Anybody have a guess as to what type of capacity the UP will be able to handle?

CC

[cnwfan2]

I live in Fond Du Lac,Wi and we were hit big time with the flood.I was in Chicago when the floods came into FDL.When I was in the Chicago Union Station, on June 15, I had seen and heard that the Empire Builder was having two buses going to Minnesota.1 bus was to go to Minneapolis,and those going farther were to be bused to St.Paul.From there passengers were to get on an express bus that would take them to the Dakotas,Montana,Idaho, and Oregon.The California Zepher was canceled outright.The Canadian Pacific Railine was washed out from West Portage to Tomah,LaCrosse,and all along the Mississippi River.The Watertown,Wi Subdivision was closed as well.The Amtrak Hiawatha train has no problem, from Chicago to Milwaukee and back.It was an excellent ride.Upon returning back to FDL, I saw alot of debris from people's homes,along the curbs.Where I live,which is near the Canadian National, South entrance to the Shops Yard,and the FDL River,there was more debris piled on the curbs,by houses,near where I live.Thankfully,spared,and very blessed,I did NOT loose anything I had ,which is my 8x16x6x2 foot HO scale layout ,out of print and current railroad books,magazines,locomotives,freight cars.....all was safe and in plastic containers,along with having built shelves to hold this stuff too.There were a few things in boxes,but none of the contents got water damaged,just the boxes.Only one magazine was hit,but very salvageable and readable -Trains magazine, February 1985-which featured the Tower 55 area ,and The Hill on SP.This is one of many favs I have.As for traffic on the CN,all is active,though the trains are going at restricted slow speeds heading Southbound.

[CShaveRR]

When we were out trackside earlier this morning (for about twenty minutes total), we caught four freights (there was one time when all three tracks were occupied simultaneously!).  Unfortunately, all pertained to this side of the river.  First was a westbound local to West Chicago, then an eastbound from Peoria, then a very short westbound stack train (hard to say on that one--was probably at least going to stop at Global 3), and finally an eastbound that seemed to be carrying nothing but traffic from Sterling.

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

Actually, the CPRS mainline between St. Paul and River Junction (La Crescent) is fine as trains are currently operating on it.  As mentioned in an earlier post this A.M., the CP is using the ICE between River Junction and Samoa and then across the River to Savanna thence eastward via Davis Junction to Bensenville (I'm a bit surprised that Amtrak's Empire Builder isn't doing the same).  Actually, the mainline between La Crosse and Portage was (to my understanding anyway) okay.  It's just between Portage and Milwaukee where there's a ton of problems. 

Presumably/hopefully UP will get the "Overland Route" mainline up and running soon between Clinton and Mo Valley.  When that happens I'd be leery about other railroads being able to reroute much over any one segment.  There's probably a huge amount of stuff the UP needs to get rid of at Proviso and Bailey Yards.  Having said that, I'm not sure when the CN's Iowa Division mainline will be fully operational again (much less the secondary mainline between Manchester and Cedar Rapids) or when the IAIS will get its Cedar River bridge at Moscow back.

Looks like the BNSF's former "Q" mainline at Burlington is going to be a bit wet for a while. 

Just saw the latest Customer Bulletin in my inbox.  Water levels that are affecting the CP mainline between Portage and Milwaukee are expected to crest today. 

 

[EJE818]

The CP is washed out around Reeseville, and it sounds like it is washed out pretty badly. Hopefully the UP will be back up and running soon, I've seen far more BNSF trains on the Rochelle webcam than UP.

[eolafan]

I drove from Aurora, IL to Madison, WI this morning in 2.5 hours with no problems whatsoever, although I did notice the streams and rivers I crossed while driving were really super high.  This afternoon I took a chance and ventured onto I94 east towards Milwaukee (my overnight destination) and got about fifteen or twenty miles before eastbound traffic stopped dead in its tracks (no pun intended) before we crossed the Rock River where the water was within about ten feet of the roadway.  The WDOT was creating temporary crossover traffic lanes and plans on temporarily having the eastbound two lanes handle traffic in both directions (the westbound lanes must be a little lower than the eastbound lanes).  We crawled in traffic for about twenty miles until we got to about Oconomowoc where things let lose until we got to Milwaukee for rush hour...oh, well, whatever.

Hope we don't get lots  more rain this week or at least until the water level in the rivers and streams goes way down.

[jeffhergert]

I just heard from a fellow engineer that at least one of the tracks over the Cedar River at Beverly is back in service.  He said they are going to start to run trains tonight.

I was watching CNN this afternoon.  They were reporting from Burlington, Iowa right by the CB&Q steam engine on display.  When they were live, there was quite a few shots of it.  Snippets that they re-broadcast don't show it as much. 

Jeff 

[RRKen]

From reading the posts on this thread, watching the news, etc. it sounds like the main issue to getting the UP Overland Route through Iowa back up and running again is the Cedar River bridge. Anybody have any ideas on how long it's going to take to inspect and repair that bridge? What's the process? If I'm reading / following everything, once that bridge reopens and traffic starts moving on the Overland Route through Iowa again it will be the only east/west main line open accross the state.

 UP sent it's new construction gang from Mason City to Cedar Rapids yesterday.   I assume they are there to rehab the route as they did in Wisconsin.    This is a crack gang who can lay new rail like the best of them.    

 Word up here is track #2 lost a span at CR.  Nothing verified yet.

[Chris30]

The Overland Route with a one track bridge and bottleneck over the river in Cedar Rapids. That should have a few UP officials kicking themselves and muttering.... "not again!".

BTW.. I'm sure that the UP needs a lot of ballast right now. Are there in any issues getting the pink rock out of Reedsburg? I know there were some water issues up around Devils Lake and N Freedom.

CC

[WSOR 3801]

The quarry at Rock Springs hasn't opened yet for the season, from what I have been told.  Can't get to within 20 miles of there by rail right now anyways...  UP has been getting similar rock from South Dakota, D&I railroad.

[zardoz]

Satellite photos of the flooded areas:

Iowa:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=18060

 

Illinois & Indiana:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=18056

 

[tree68]

Fort Madison Railcam

Lots of water - the old ATSF station appears to have wet feet.