Trackside Lounge, Milepost 0906.01--no defects

[Willy2]

CShaveRR

Not again!

 

Saw reports on this evening's news about an Amtrak train (#6, the eastbound Zephyr) hitting a vehicle at a grade crossing on the way in to Chicago. Definitely fatalities, possibly as many as five...high school students again. The crossing did not have flashers or gates, just crossbucks and a Yield sign.

More geniuses? I had no idea we shared the planet with so many brilliant people.

EDIT 8:30 PM... The Chicago Tribune article cited below states that two of the deceased were in their 80s.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-trainvehicleaccid,0,5883547.story

[CShaveRR]

The Tribune article states that the train was westbound, so my apologies for getting the information wrong. The concern was that the crossing was near the high school (was it in session?), so they initially thought it might be school students involved. According to an Amtrak spokesman, the car was "obstructing the tracks". Five people in the car--three dead, two injured and taken to hospitals.

[Willy2]

I think you were correct the first time, Carl. The westbound Zephyr is still scheduled to arrive in Omaha on time, but the eastbound is scheduled into Chicago over six hours late. It must have been the eastbound.

[CNW 6000]

However it happened...it's still sad for the folks in the car and the cab.  I just don't get it.

[tree68]

If we could find a way to prevent the "big bad railroad" spin, these stories should get top billing all over the country. 

Trains do kill, but only if you ignore the warning signs and get in their way...

[CShaveRR]

Nope, it was the westbound. Last I heard, it was running about 15-16 hours late. It spent quite a bit of time at Galesburg, setting out some damaged equipment. Haven't seen any updates since last night, so we don't know yet abut the third victim, or anything that would shed some light on the accident (for example, could they have been blocked by traffic between the tracks and U.S. 34?).

Larry, I couldn't have said it better!

[Willy2]

CShaveRR

Nope, it was the westbound. Last I heard, it was running about 15-16 hours late. It spent quite a bit of time at Galesburg, setting out some damaged equipment. Haven't seen any updates since last night, so we don't know yet abut the third victim, or anything that would shed some light on the accident (for example, could they have been blocked by traffic between the tracks and U.S. 34?).

 

Larry, I couldn't have said it better!

Right now, the Amtrak website shows that the estimated arrival into Omaha is at 6:55 PM, or 20 hours and 26 minutes late. Kind of sad. I find it absurd that due to an initial delay of a few hours, it's now running over 20 hours late and still losing time. As far as I know, the entire route through Iowa is double track, so there must be some awfully lousy dispatching going on to let this happen.

Presuming that tonight's westbound stays on time, I might be able to see two westbound Amtrak trains within a few hours of each other.

[CShaveRR]

Well, that's one way (though probably not the best way!) for Omaha to receive daylight Amtrak service.

Latest report is that this was an elderly couple and their nine-year-old granddaughter who were killed in the crash. The two injured victims were also grandchildren.

The damage was apparently caused when wreck debris knocked down a signal bridge, damaging the train.

[TimChgo9]

 Hey, everyone

 Here are a couple more links to photos.  I had a picture day with with my eight year old son out at Joliet Union Station...

Amtrak, slowing for arrival at Union Station

Iowa Interstate westbound at "UD" tower

It was cool seeing the IAIS, the second unit was one of the new GE's that they acquired.  It was quite a busy night. For the first hour we were there, there was nothing, and then, we got a westbound container, followed by two Amtraks, and and eastbound manifest, and an eastbound container, as well as the IAIS.  

[CShaveRR]

I trust you and your son will be trackside somewhere on Saturday for the 4449, Tim! If you didn't live so close to the tracks, I'd suggest coming out to Eola that afternoon (that's where I'll be!).

That first shot was the cleanest-looking shot of Joliet I've ever seen! We'll have to get out there again sometime.

[CNW 6000]

Had an iteresting catch today.  A couple of tips reported that WSOR's newest GP38-2, 3810, was left at the south end of Oshkosh yesterday as it's crew died on hours.  Since this unit was one of the so-called "Mexi-Wrecks" that was (IIRC) gotten for scrap value and quite the project to get running I decided to check the tracks out.  Sure enough, it was there. 

Scary looking, but it sounded great!

Quick painted logo...can't wait to see what the final version looks like.

[tree68]

CShaveRR

I trust you and your son will be trackside somewhere on Saturday for the 4449, Tim! If you didn't live so close to the tracks, I'd suggest coming out to Eola that afternoon (that's where I'll be!).

I'll be working on the railroad, so I probably won't even get a chance to check the webcam.  That's alright.  I'll see the old girl in person next weekend.

Although the price of the trips is a stopper, I never really considered taking a ride behind them at Owosso.  I'll spend about 8 hours on the rails this weekend - sitting in a coach is no big deal, no matter what's pulling the train (I'll be behind a 1964 EL C424).  I'd rather be on the ground, taking pictures and experiencing the rush of big steam going by at speed (25, IIRC, for that track).

[CShaveRR]

Larry, I wish I could pop on over to Deshler when you are spending a little time there, but that Monday and Tuesday we'll have guests of our own out here--Willy and family.

The 4449 ought to be doing a little better than 25 at Eola (perhaps twice that?); I hope that the observers and photographers stay a safe distance away!

[mudchicken]

UM, Carl....Uncle Pete delivering coal to the prairie dogs out here? (about 34 cars worth on the KP, Brand spankin' new GLFX hoppers too)

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=119604&catid=339     (oops?)

[CShaveRR]

Ouch! It'll be interesting to find out what caused that one. When I hear Limon, I often think "probably not the best track on the railroad."

Certainly not the best way to suffocate the little critters!

Noah, do you think they'll find enough steel under that rust to repaint?

[CNW 6000]

Carl (or other Chicagoans),

After going to Diesel Days on Sunday, my 3 friends and I are thinking of going railfanning somewhere nearby.  Any suggestions for what might be decent on a Sunday afternoon/evening?

[CShaveRR]

I'd suggest taking Illinois 23 south to DeKalb for some UP mainline action, and, if you're so inclined, head west on Illinois 38 for about 17 miles to Rochelle. From Rochelle, Interstate 39 could take you back north to Wisconsin and home.

[Mookie]

CShaveRR

I'd suggest taking Illinois 23 south to DeKalb for some UP mainline action, and, if you're so inclined, head west on Illinois 38 for about 17 miles to Rochelle. From Rochelle, Interstate 39 could take you back north to Wisconsin and home.

Yessssss!!!!!   

[CShaveRR]

Mookie

CShaveRR

I'd suggest taking Illinois 23 south to DeKalb for some UP mainline action, and, if you're so inclined, head west on Illinois 38 for about 17 miles to Rochelle. From Rochelle, Interstate 39 could take you back north to Wisconsin and home.

Yessssss!!!!!   

And she oughta know! She's been there and done that!

I have to work both tomorrow and Sunday, else the IRM might have been given some serious consideration. Quite a roster of active locomotives for this, from what I've heard.

[CShaveRR]

After a full day of work, Pat picked me up and we took off for BNSF's Eola Yard (McClure Road) to see the 4449. When we got there, Jim ("Eolafan") informed us that the train was still in Savanna. It seemed prudent to hold onto our parking spot, though (a wise choice in light of the volume of later arrivals).

The BNSF action was amazingly heavy, in terms of through freights (mostly intermodal, but manifest, coal, and locals as well), Amtrak, and Metra. On at least two occasions we were treated to pairs of eastbound freights, one overtaking the other. When the 4449 came in, there were eastbounds sitting on two of the three mainline tracks, and the 4449 had to wait until a westbound Metra passed to open up the third track.

The 4449 made it to Eola at slightly after 6:00 p.m., and actually treated us to a stop so the new pilot could board at the yard office (there were several spectators volunteering to serve as co-pilots). Nice locomotive, nice train, nice company while we all were waiting, perfect weather--you couldn't ask for a better outing.

There were about thirty vehicles at the train-watching spot, and possibly as many as 100 people. Two BNSF police officers were on hand, but no harsh encounters were observed, and they were very friendly toward us.

The 4449's GPS was apparently down all afternoon (server problem); Jim used the Twitter feed to keep track of it. They made some pretty good time across Illinois. Even the Rochelle Webcam was freezing up, presumably due to heavy usage. It looks like the archived shots (probably now gone) didn't capture the move.

Good to see you again, Jim--sorry we hightailed it out of there so quickly; we both were feeling the need for some facilities. We dined on Portillo's ribs and pasta (you might be able to figure out who had what!).

[Noah Hofrichter]

I certainly agree that is was great to see the 4449 today! A couple of friends and I headed to the Mississippi River near La Crosse to shoot him, and thanks to a servicing stop we managed a couple of runbys. She sure is a beautiful engine! Despite the cloudy weather it was definately worth the trip to see and I think I came away with some nice photographs.

The amount of freight traffic was heavier than I've seen it in a long time too, both on the CP and BNSF. While we were waiting in Trempealeau for the steamer, we could see (though not photograph) the CP across the river, and there were four CP eastbounds in a matter of about 45 minutes. It was quite the parade!

I should have some shots of the 4449 to share sometime soon.

Noah

[CShaveRR]

I think the clouds around our area have been absolutely stunning for the past couple of days. We went home from Eola/Naperville toward a mountainous thunderhead in the east that was growing as we watched. The lower part was in shadow, but the top was still white. You never realize how big these things are until you see a plane in the vicinity.

[Willy2]

CShaveRR

I think the clouds around our area have been absolutely stunning for the past couple of days. We went home from Eola/Naperville toward a mountainous thunderhead in the east that was growing as we watched. The lower part was in shadow, but the top was still white. You never realize how big these things are until you see a plane in the vicinity.

The clouds in our area have been absolutely not stunning. It's like Mother Nature totally forgot to give us severe weather season this year. But, maybe I'll see some good stuff when I'm in Chicago next week.

I'm glad you had a good time with 4449. Too bad they weren't coming next weekend! I went train watching yesterday and noted that traffic was pretty heavy in Omaha too. We had a pass (coal train passed a manifest) which is pretty rare for Omaha. Good economic sign?

[Mookie]

Willy - we are becoming the land of the dull.  We have no weather at all.  Which - maybe is a good thing.  You can go to Oklahoma/Iowa and get all the bad weather you want and then come home to Nebraska where you can be safe. 

Grain trains have been hot here in Lincoln.  Saw several yesterday, which I will take as a good sign that the economy is still alive and breathing.  They were practically non-existant earlier this year. 

Have a good trip to Chi-town.

Mookie

[CNW 6000]

Now live @ Rochelle. I have to say it's sweet! Sent from my mobile phone.

[Mookie]

Dan - you see it on the forum and you form an opinion of what it is like.  Then you see it in real life and it is an ah-ha moment! 

Didn't realize houses were so close or so many! 

[CShaveRR]

Dan--is that "live" (short i) or "live" (long i)? Did you send something?

Looking forward to seeing what you saw in Rochelle--glad you took our advice!

[CNW 6000]

Now joined by Brian Hanel! I am sitting under the pavillion as I type this on the phone.

[Mookie]

Windy as usual?

[CNW 6000]

Not bad, actually. We saw 7 trains (2 BNSF & 5 UP) in about 75 min. Now stopping in Janesville to see WSOR. Lots of riding in my friends backseat today!