Noted the Rochelle webcam that the fabled junction involves two (2) two-track main lines crossing at grade. So, just wondering: when will the crossing be grade separated, like Colton Crossing will be?
I suppose when they get Federal funding, and with the current budget crisis - I don't think we will much more of that! Rochelle is busy, but appears to stay 'fluid' as there are no transfers/yard jobs plugging up the mains.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
The frustating moments, I'd daresay, are relatively few here, even with Global 3 slowing down the UP traffic a bit.
I suspect that such a separation at the site of the current crossing would be difficult, if not impossible, without major terra-forming. From the standpoint of the webcam, Global 3 is just behind the trees to the upper left, and behind you by about three blocks is a highway bridge over both railroads, which are parallel to each other and only a short distance apart at that point.
About the only way the railroads could cross at another location would be to reroute the BNSF to the east and north of town, bypassing its own yard and necessitating a new connection with the City of Rochelle Railway's own trackage (if it doesn't retain the old line as a spur to the industries it now serves).
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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