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Triple Crown to Minneapolis

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Posted by bjc77 on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:58 PM
I was by South Beaver Dam, WI today on the Adams Sub and noticed track lying along the roadbed so I stopped to take a look. Looks like they will be putting in 136lb welded rail to replace the 115lb jointed track. Not sure where they will start or fini***his project, I didn't have time to see how much they had on the ground. Its nice to see more upgrades, and hopefully more traffic, to this line.
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 1:19 PM
They are definitly in the Twin Cities. Yesterday I was behind one south bound on I35E until I got off on exit 85 on I35 in Lakeview. A few days ago there were 3 at a place that cleans trailers in Roseville.
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Posted by jeaton on Saturday, June 12, 2004 11:09 AM
Zardoz

My guess is that you are seeing Triple Crown freight moving between their Chicago terminal and points in Wisconsin. On occasion, I have seen Triple Crown vans in Delavan.

It appears that the start-up is awaiting completion of work on track a facilities. Obviously, this is in competition with over-the-road truck service. It isn't going to sell unless the train's running time is competitive. Given the bucks involved, it is a good idea to have all the ducks in order before start-up.

What intrigues me is the possibility that there could be a terminal set-up in the Milwaukee area, say at Butler Yard. Anyone with ideas about that?

Jay

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, June 11, 2004 11:33 PM
I don't know who the big customer(s) would be if service to Madison were instituted. It doesn't have to be auto parts. Mention of this possibility was made by someone who should have his ear to the ground, but I'm considering it only a rumor until we hear something a little more definitive.

Carl

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CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by zardoz on Friday, June 11, 2004 8:11 PM
I drive I-94 every day between Kenosha and Milwaukee, and I have begun to see tractor/trailers with the NS black horse emblem on the cab; I had not seen those until recently, so perhaps TwinModal is seeing the same trucks as I do.

What I do not understand, is if there is already trailer traffic travelling this route on the highway, why does it take over two months to "start the service"?

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 11, 2004 8:00 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by piouslion

Originally posted by bjc77

The Adams Sub is getting more work today, a section of track washed out by Randolph after the 9+ inches of rain that fell around here wednesday night. If that wasn't bad enough it rained all day thursday as well. Haven't heard a total yet but more on the way for tonight.

CShaveRR, I am just curious about the rumor with Triple Crown running into Madison. I don't see any need for it since the GM plant is in Janesville. I'm sure the liberals in Madison would have a fit if there was any more train traffic.

It has always amazed me that liberals complain the loudest when prosperity doesn't come in a form that is politically correct to their way of thinking. - GO-FIGURE[?][%-)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 11, 2004 7:32 PM
Originally posted by bjc77

The Adams Sub is getting more work today, a section of track washed out by Randolph after the 9+ inches of rain that fell around here wednesday night. If that wasn't bad enough it rained all day thursday as well. Haven't heard a total yet but more on the way for tonight.

CShaveRR, I am just curious about the rumor with Triple Crown running into Madison. I don't see any need for it since the GM plant is in Janesville. I'm sure the liberals in Madison would have a fit if there was any more train traffic.
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Posted by bjc77 on Friday, June 11, 2004 7:22 PM
The Adams Sub is getting more work today, a section of track washed out by Randolph after the 9+ inches of rain that fell around here wednesday night. If that wasn't bad enough it rained all day thursday as well. Haven't heard a total yet but more on the way for tonight.

CShaveRR, I am just curious about the rumor with Triple Crown running into Madison. I don't see any need for it since the GM plant is in Janesville. I'm sure the liberals in Madison would have a fit if there was any more train traffic.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 10, 2004 1:51 PM
Minn needs more amtrak service.
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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, June 10, 2004 10:09 AM
Little more on this...service is supposed to start next month, with dedicated pools for the crews (two crews to make the trip, instead of the usual four). The reason the UP line was chosen is apparently that it has the capacity, which BNSF, CN, and CP seem to lack.

Anyone else hear the rumor about Triple Crown service eventually coming to Madison, Wisconsin? UP would be utilized again, and it would require them to take back their line between Janesville and Madison (which is currently leased to Wisconsin & Southern).

I hate to admit this, but I have yet to see a train of Roadrailers on NS! (I've seen a couple of the units on Amtrak trains, and remember well the ones that were on the C&O in Michigan in the 1960s, but these trains are going to be as much of an eye-opener for me as they are for a lot of folks on this end of the UP.) Can't wait!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, May 20, 2004 11:24 PM
The trains will go through Proviso, and take the Milwaukee Sub (we used to call it the New Line) all the way.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, May 20, 2004 8:41 PM
Maybe I can try another hunt tomorrow. Drake Street in St Paul might be a good place to look. That's where they do their auto unloading, and It's not far from the Ford plant, if that's their big customer. WE WILL FIND THIS THING!!!![swg]
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 20, 2004 6:11 PM
My contact at Triple Crown says the ramp is completed. They're using it as a staging area for the RoadRailers they bring in OTR from Chicago. She doesn't know the address of the ramp yet though. If anybody has heard or discovered where it is, please post it. They now have enough inbound traffic, but they're looking for more out bound traffic.
I saw one TC RoadRailer westbound in I-94 near Eau Claire WI last Thursday.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 20, 2004 2:40 PM
From what yard in Chicago will this train originate from? What route will NS use to get to UP's Milwaukee sub?
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Posted by LWales on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 10:34 PM
Guys,
Got a forwarded copy of a UP employee newsletter for the Chicago region and the Chicago to Twin Cities Roadrailers are supposed to begin around July 15 with four trips each way per week. The trains will run the route with only two crews--probably making the change at Adams, WI.

Lance
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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Monday, May 17, 2004 10:44 PM
Wow, sounds like Uncle Pete is really serious about bringing some real traffic to the old route of the 400's. It will be interesting to see if the NIMBYs along the tracks start to whine as more trains come through. I live just a couple of miles from the tracks, and would love to hear the horns anytime!!!!

Day or Night!!!!

[swg]
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 17, 2004 10:04 PM
Hello,

Drove home from work today along US 12, which parallels the CNW line. About 5 miles west of Menomonie a large track crew was working (12-15 persons) with a variety of self propelled equipment. A section of ribbon rail had been dropped about two weeks ago at the curve where the track is closest to the highway--this is the site of a derailment in the winter about 11 years ago--this location may be called Tegarden on some timetables.

Also, there is a Sperry inspection truck at the Super 8 motel in Menomonie.

Paul
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Posted by UPTRAIN on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 4:57 PM
It would be neat to see more Roadrailers across the country.

(48 more posts untill my 3 green stars.

Pump

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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 4:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by tomtrain

Was at the Twin Cities Transfer Road Amtrak station last Saturday for the first time since 1989. Noticed the track-in-paved area with roadrailer bogies. Is Amtrak still moving roadrailers on the Empire Builder?

Also, three restored private cars were at the platform; two heavy-weight observations (one in WC colors, one in what looked like SOO maroon called Lambert's Point) and a MILW RD parlor? car (original MR colors). Neat.

Looking forward to the renaissance of the "400", roadrailer style.


Roadrailers? YUP[:)]

Sounds like we have a bunch of Twin Citians here. COOL[8D]
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 2:29 PM
i frequently see the east bound empire builder on the way to work. usually meet it along ayd mill road. it is still pulling roadrailers. usually 1-3 of them. have seen up to 5 tho.
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Posted by jeaton on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 7:40 PM
Lambert's Point-That's likely Norfolk & Western-colors if not actually the actual source of the car.

My guess-Roadrailer boogies sitting at the Amtrak station probably means that roadrailers are still tacked on the end of the Empire Builder. Amtrak express business is still a money looser and all of it is probably on the (chopping) block. Those boogies will go about as fast as it takes to write out a bill of sale.

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics

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Posted by bjc77 on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 6:55 PM
I was just going to ask about this topic to see if anything was new, I haven't been around in a while. I've also seen track crews out on the Adams Sub around South Beaver Dam. I'm also interested to see something new/more on this line.
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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 11:16 AM
I crossed the UP tracks a few times yesterday, and one of those times there was a 3 vehicle track crew out working. One was clearly grooming the ballast, and another looked like it was for checking verticle alignment. For non welded rail, this section was looking pretty sharp. I'm getting anxious to see these things.[swg]
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Posted by UPTRAIN on Sunday, April 4, 2004 12:10 AM
Wasn't that in TRAINS like 3 months ago?

Pump

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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Saturday, April 3, 2004 11:51 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Big Boy:

Please don't shoot the messenger...the railroad says Ford is the primary customer, and that would be good info. I suspect that it's parts business that previously moved by truck, so the CP action should be safe.

Young whippersnapper Carl
(I haven't been called that in a while, Zardoz!)


I wasn't trying to shoot the messenger, just trying to figure out the message, cause it strikes me as a bit odd, that's all. I believe you.[:D][;)]

I did go on a bit of a hunt yesterday, and thought I saw a spot over on the east side of St Paul, next to 3M where something was being built. Just not sure what.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 2, 2004 12:50 PM
I heard the tracks wii be laid on the Amtrak Station

DOGGY
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Posted by Mookie on Friday, April 2, 2004 12:00 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz

QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim, you can tell you're an old-timer: "Siding K" is now just plain "Kay".




Thanks alot you young whippersnapper. First time I've been called an "Old timer". As soon as I get done with my nap, I'm gonna give you such a thrashing. [;)]


Wonder if Trains.com does senior discounts?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, April 2, 2004 11:17 AM
Big Boy:

Please don't shoot the messenger...the railroad says Ford is the primary customer, and that would be good info. I suspect that it's parts business that previously moved by truck, so the CP action should be safe.

Young whippersnapper Carl
(I haven't been called that in a while, Zardoz!)

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by zardoz on Friday, April 2, 2004 8:35 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR

Jim, you can tell you're an old-timer: "Siding K" is now just plain "Kay".




Thanks alot you young whippersnapper. First time I've been called an "Old timer". As soon as I get done with my nap, I'm gonna give you such a thrashing. [;)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 1, 2004 10:55 PM
Better yet, I've heard that there is a piece of land at "500 11th Avenue South" in Minneapolis that hasn't been used for anything good for years. [(-D]

Maybe they could bulldoze that big white bubble that sits on that site and they could lay down some steel. [;)][;)]

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