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CN 1899 Oshkosh Bridge & Oshkosh Yard Projects (Linked Photo Heavy)

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  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: CN's Wisconsin Division
  • 24 posts
Posted by WC#3000 on Monday, October 24, 2011 8:27 PM

Thanks for the photos. Its nice to see an industry in Wisconsin putting some money into its rail shipping facilities versus scrapping an old spur and switching to trucks! Especially with the bad rep CN gets in by some. Keep up the good work. Yes

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:00 PM

You're welcome!  I did stop by the yard on Friday and this morning (Saturday) and the Blended Spur is pretty much wrapped up.

Finishing touches are being put on after ballasting and spiking.
Finishing Touches

The first 5 cars are "on spot".  I bet a chain-link fence goes up and that should be it.
In Service

We'll see what's next for the Yard.  I'll keep my eyes and ears tuned...

Dan

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Saturday, October 22, 2011 1:34 PM

22dec
(Dan)

"...Thanks for the pictures and commentary Dan..."

. I haven't been down by the bridge since early June. I usually don't get past the north side of town ( Leons or Tortilla Flats).

Looking forward to seeing your photos of the replacement of the bridge and yard. It's good that somebody (you) is documenting this for future railfans about the history of this area.

Don

Thanks for sharing, Dan.    I used to pick up and delivery in and around that area;  Lots of industrial sidings in the old paper company properties.

 

 


 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Thursday, October 20, 2011 4:42 PM

Thanks Don.  I swung by today and not much had changed, the spikes aren't yet all driven in but the derail was removed and I'm guessing they'll finish tomorrow.

Dan

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Appleton, Wi.
  • 26 posts
Posted by 22dec on Thursday, October 20, 2011 8:16 AM

Thanks for the pictures and commentary Dan. I haven't been down by the bridge since early June. I usually don't get past the north side of town ( Leons or Tortilla Flats).

Looking forward to seeing your photos of the replacement of the bridge and yard. It's good that somebody (you) is documenting this for future railfans about the history of this area.

Don

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
CN 1899 Oshkosh Bridge & Oshkosh Yard Projects (Linked Photo Heavy)
Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 8:06 PM

I'm going to try my hand at imitating KP here in documenting CN's MoW work in Oshkosh, WI on the Neenah Sub.  In the big picture, the 1899 Swing Bridge over the Fox River will be replaced, the Oshkosh "Yard" will switch positions with the Mainline, and the spur at Blended Waxes (industry) will be redone.

From what I understand the Blended Waxes Spur work will come first and the bridge & yard projects will largely be at the same time.  All pictures in this thread are from my Flickr pages and are clickable should you desire to expand on them.  Comments and opinions are welcome and I'll do my best to answer them.

This post will cover the work on the Blended Waxes spur so far. 

July 14, 2011
The Blended Waxes spur as original.  Seen from the 14th Avenue crossing looking southward.  The WC (former MILW) caboose is used as a buffer car because the angle of the curve is very tight and the power CN keeps in the area can't couple to the cars "on spot" due to the drawbar angle on the locomotives.
Before Work

July 18, 2011
Work begins.  The fence around the industry is brought down and base grading of loose material has taken place.  Rock, ties and 'stick rail' is stacked near the project.
It Begins

July 24, 2011
Machinery is brought to the area in the form of a spiking machine.  Spikes and plates are also brought in.
Ready for Work

Close-up view of the future new track area.
Graded

July 25, 2011
The new spur rails have been assembled on site but not spiked or ballasted.
New Track

October 6, 2011
Construction commences on structure for overhead loading/unloading piping after a low structure for piping is constructed.  Rails get spiked and ballasted.
More Structure

October 8, 2011
The overhead piping structure is complete and more rail, ballast and ties are brought in.
Progress

October 15, 2011
The caboose is gone over the weekend and even more supplies are staged.
Monday...

October 17, 2011
Work has commenced on the rebuild/cut-in.  Contractors are seen here working on reattaching the switch to the main siding after relocating it approximately 25 feet north of its original location.  The original rail to the facility has been removed.
Switched

October 18, 2011
The switch and rail connecting the spur to the siding are roughly ballasted & spiked.  Sub-roadbed grading on the spur track is occuring.
Work Continues

October 19, 2011
The contractor's crew preps the spikes for installation after the rails & ties have been laid and roughly ballasted.  Must've been their first time having their picture taken!
The Crew

Overview of the project area.  Some finish work needs to take place and will probably happen tomorrow.
Project Overview

A closer view of the new section connecting the spur to the siding switch.
Ready for Rock

That's all on the spur for now.

Dan

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