Thanks for the kind words Carl. I'm lucky I didn't lose any digits. Trying to type one-handed for now. I thought the auger had stopped...but not the second stage impeller. I'm lucky that I only broke two fingers.
Dan
I'd much rather he came and visited, taking pictures for me, than to entrust me with a camera!If I'd been shooting all the way out of Elmhurst, we'd have a good documentary of the stuff I've been describing all along, including a meet with a stack train. But the thought didn't occur to me until we were slowing down for Bellwood. I was lucky to catch the under-the-bridge goings-on.
Just a note--pray or send healing vibes to Dan ("CNW6000") who sustained a painful snow-blower injury. (No snow here yet, so I can't even imagine...but my attack will be done with a snow shovel.)
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)
Carl,
Your reports about the goings-on on the West line are so nicely detailed; so much so that they deserve their own thread, similar to the "Sunset Route Two Tracking Updates" thread. Maybe Chris could sell you one of his used cameras....
One of the things I did on of the trip yesterday was shoot cell-phone video out of the front of the scoot for a distance between Berkeley and Melrose Park (I can make some Michigan folks envious, perhaps). But looking at the video, I can see that my foregoing statement about nothing being done on this three-tracking stretch was not accurate.
The stairway down from the Mannheim Bridge to the north platform of the Bellwood station has been taken out. This was an obstacle to getting the third track done under and east of the bridge. The current platforms at Bellwood are temporary wooden ones, except for the part where the tunnel goes under the tracks...that's good to go.At the east end (for now) of the triple track, the switch connecting the third track has been installed, and the new track extends west a few hundred feet, including a grade crossing over 25th Avenue (it looks temporary, because that whole crossing is supposed to be grade-separated sometime).So what's left is completion of the third track between those two points. The new track is on the north side at Bellwood, and on the south side at Melrose Park. That means that the intervening main lines have to be shifted in some way, and the whole shebang nudged so the curve at Provo Junction (connection with the IHB) can be eased to permit higher speeds--20 instead of 10. It appears to me that the bridge over Mud Creek (or Addison Creek as it's known to the outside world) might be a pinch point, too narrow to accommodate three tracks. But the bridge there was the first thing to be built (rebuilt) in connection with this expansion, so maybe I'm just not seeing the possibility.
At least they replace the entire rail section now. I can remember when CNW would just put joint bars over the break and highball. (I've mentioned before portions of the old New Line Sub near Tower KO that had two or three extra joints in nearly every length of rail, back in the early 1970s.) I'm being kicked out of the house later today...somebody wants to use the sewing machine without somebody else stumbling across what she's making. So I will run my errands for the week, and probably linger trackside until it gets dark or until the weather turns.
Edit: Took a four-legged train trip, but didn't notice any significant further progress on either the Wheaton crossovers or the third track/station tunnel/mainline relocation project between Melrose Park and Elmhurst. Lots of auto-rack and stack trains around, and when I got off the last train, one of the "Salad Shooters" was returning west. No manifest trains (the ones most likely to give me some interesting freight cars to study), but one of the auto-rack trains had several new (to me) WRWK auto racks.The five or six hours I was out of the house were adequate...
jeffhergert Coming home today we were stopped because of a broken rail up ahead of us. While waiting we could hear the section forces responding to repair it talking to each other on the radio. "Do you have a rail with you?" "No, do you have a rail with you?" "No, but there's a rail over by..." So the truck nearest the rail's location went and got it. It just kind of sounded funny hearing that discussion. Jeff
Coming home today we were stopped because of a broken rail up ahead of us. While waiting we could hear the section forces responding to repair it talking to each other on the radio. "Do you have a rail with you?" "No, do you have a rail with you?" "No, but there's a rail over by..." So the truck nearest the rail's location went and got it.
It just kind of sounded funny hearing that discussion.
Jeff
A half-day of train-watching (incidental to Christmas shopping) in the vicinity of Naperville and Eola yielded nothing spectacular. I assume that the dinkies were running, and we saw an eastbound coal train (bound for Consumers Energy in Michigan) and an eastbound pig train, but that was it.I see in the Newswire where Metra and Mr. Lipinski would like additional service on the Metra Heritage Corridor (between Chicago and Joliet, over the old GM&O). Both would like to see the three weekday round trips increased to four, and think CN should be able to accommodate this with a small revision of freight operation. I suspect that they could do even better than that, if they wanted to--since the third round trip was put on, the line was converted from double track to CTC, and Brighton Park was improved (there are still CREATE project numbers assigned to the three other crossings, where flyovers had been proposed...the map in the latest issue of Trains doesn't show these). The demand would be there, particularly when the new station stop at Romeoville comes on line.Also in a recent Newswire was mention of the UP's six-axle gensets brought in for work at Proviso. They were "unveiled" at that point. Gensets, though, have been working there since late spring, and the numbers of the four units I saw there Wednesday surrounded the unit shown in the photograph. The SD38-2s that had been built for Proviso hump service back in 1975--37 years ago!--have now been retired (one report says they were rendered inoperative).
I've been over on that other fourm, looking at recently-taken snow photographs: northern Arizona, Richmond Virginia, a few other such places. For us in Chicagoland, nada!If we make it through Sunday without snow (and forecasts say that we will), we'll break the record for the latest day in the season for measurable snowfall...those flurries we had a week or so ago don't count.We've already broken the record for the most consecutive days without a measurable snowfall--I think we're up into the 280s now.This is not a complaint from this individual, who believes or at least suspects that payback will come sometime. (I'd love a decent-sized snowfall next week, with ample time to clear roads, leaving white fields and open highways for the Christmas traveling season.)
And I'll hop aboard with the good wishes, too! Hope you both got to really enjoy your birthday!
Nance-CCABW/LEI
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right! --unknown
Egad...I've been missing birthdays north (Randy Vos, 33) and south ("Bubba"Justin Sandlin, 17) here in the Forum. (Fortunately, I got 'em in Facebook!). Hope you both had great days, and happy (t)rails to you over the next year!
One of the big reasons I preferred working the higher tower. Most people didn't want to handle everything, but I didn't want to deal with track lockups and hang-ups...would rather see all of the cars closely, and be the first reactor to problems with consist lineup, etc.
CShaveRR After staying at the party for over an hour I went around to the hump and visited some of my old haunts. I could see quite well how much new rail (welded, new switches) has been installed, seemingly everywhere. I was able to observe firsthand how well-rolling some of these tracks have become. There were some that had been notorious for hanging up in the most disastrous places, and the cars went through those reverse curves like nobody's business!
After staying at the party for over an hour I went around to the hump and visited some of my old haunts. I could see quite well how much new rail (welded, new switches) has been installed, seemingly everywhere. I was able to observe firsthand how well-rolling some of these tracks have become. There were some that had been notorious for hanging up in the most disastrous places, and the cars went through those reverse curves like nobody's business!
Had an interesting experience at Proviso today.
Yup--you read that correctly.
There was a party being held for five (or six) yard guys who all were retiring today. It was a great time--couple of musicians, a good lunch, and lots of people I worked with. I think more people remembered me that I remembered, at least by name. The bosses remembered me (is that good or bad?), and I complained to the big boss about not being able to access the yard at Berkeley anymore (he said he had to catch a train there today after the party...I'd like to hear about his experience).After staying at the party for over an hour I went around to the hump and visited some of my old haunts. I could see quite well how much new rail (welded, new switches) has been installed, seemingly everywhere. I was able to observe firsthand how well-rolling some of these tracks have become. There were some that had been notorious for hanging up in the most disastrous places, and the cars went through those reverse curves like nobody's business! I also took a look at the all-important seniority list, and found that there still eleven people working there with hiring dates ahead of mine. Some are working scoots, some are on disability, but a few are still in the yard.Our Christmas shopping is nearly done, but we still have our annual mailing to process, and that involves a letter. Guess I'd better get busy...
It seems that CN might be changing the alignment of the south end of Neenah Yard. I should be able to swing by and snag some shots today. I heard possibly two new switches were cut in yesterday and work is planned to continue today.
Carl, we have the "cook-a-mageddon" planned for this weekend. I know that at least 4 additional sets of hands are intending on showing up at my house to play in the kitchen. Sounds like a good day to go trackside, hunting or fishing - depending on the weather.
Since there was cookie-baking going on at our house (no sampling, stay out of the way, etc., etc.) I took my bike and ran a few errands, the primary one of which was to observe progress on the new bridge. When I got to my safe observation point, one of the beams had been unloaded and set, the second beam was ready to be lifted off its monster rig, and a third beam had just pulled through the UP's cabinet-heater maze (I was told later that there were six whole inches of clearance at the tightest point--as in three on each side!).I watched and shot as the second beam was lifted, swung around, and put in place across the tracks. Pictures may be available sometime. Before the big beam was at its proper height and orientation, a westbound train approached on Track 2, and stopped for the proceedings.
Eventually, after a little work done on the underside of the beam, the work window on the railroad ended, and the westbound was able to come through. It was almost like a circus train, with trucks, buses,and track equipment--a tie gang was moving out of the area. That train was followed by the inbound scoot (about ten minutes late), a westbound manifest, the westbound scoot (also late--shopping crowds), and yet another westbound manifest. By the time the last train had passed, the third beam had been positioned for unloading. It didn't take long for the cranes' cables to be attached, and the beam lifted and swung into position. I shot a bit of phonevid, then left for a belated lunch (but no cookies!).
Well, at least I got the storage yard at West Chicago right...
Thanks for filling me in.
Two large prestressed concrete beams have been moved to the site of the new bridge for the Great Western Trail over the UP main line. These beams are wider (and very much longer) than the ones for the bridges spanning the streets on this project, so two may be all that are necessary. Each of the beams required a police escort into town because of its length, and policemen moved to block St. Charles and Grace Streets when the beams were to be moved into the construction site. It must have been frustrating when they were ready to move the second beam across the street and the railroad stopped them because of the train coming. It cost perhaps an extra five minutes of blocked traffic.http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&q=400+e+st+charles+rd+lombard+il&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq&hnear=0x880e4d59047785a1%3A0x253deceb31efd2b2%2C400+E+St+Charles+Rd%2C+Lombard%2C+IL+60148&gl=us&sa=X&ei=y1nCUIrYMOiqyAHi9IC4Aw&ved=0CC4Q8gEwAAIt was fascinating to watch the truckers maneuver the beams past the electrical boxes and switch heaters. The rear bogies (six axles, four wheels each) seemed to have their own hydraulic maneuvering machines that assisted in this process (they were controlled from the truck cab by wires running underneath the beam).There are two large cranes on site, but unloading the beams from the trucks may take much of the rest of the day. Unless they attempt to set them at night, it would appear that tomorrow (when there are fewer scoots to keep on schedule) may be interesting at the site.
CShaveRR It's a momentous birthday today! Greetings to my favorite (depending on which plane of reality you're on) curious kitten, little sister, or classy lady.Hope it's a great day for you, SJ, AKA Mookie!
It's a momentous birthday today! Greetings to my favorite (depending on which plane of reality you're on) curious kitten, little sister, or classy lady.Hope it's a great day for you, SJ, AKA Mookie!
I thought you had to be a politician and/or deceased....
Or maybe it is because of my half-sister Pearl?
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Billio, the historic west end for commuter service was Geneva, with trains being brought back east to West Chicago for overnighting (over only two tracks between the two, of which passenger trains used only one). There is a new coach yard not far from the station at Elburn. The old coach yard at West Chicago has been given over to loading and unloading of auto racks.
CShaveRR billio Surprised they're not also grade separating the West Line from the CN (ex-J) as well. Read somewhere that CN supposedly is pushing (or plans to push) 15-20 trains a day through its "Chicago Outer Belt" acquisition -- many, many more than the J used to run through here in its heyday. Figure CN traffic crossing 50 (?) UP freight trains and 20 or so scoots per day = one well used grade crossing. As for the number of scoots, you're off by at least 150 percent. There are in excess of 50 scoots through there on a weekday. The 50-freight figure may be close to accurate.
billio Surprised they're not also grade separating the West Line from the CN (ex-J) as well. Read somewhere that CN supposedly is pushing (or plans to push) 15-20 trains a day through its "Chicago Outer Belt" acquisition -- many, many more than the J used to run through here in its heyday. Figure CN traffic crossing 50 (?) UP freight trains and 20 or so scoots per day = one well used grade crossing.
Surprised they're not also grade separating the West Line from the CN (ex-J) as well. Read somewhere that CN supposedly is pushing (or plans to push) 15-20 trains a day through its "Chicago Outer Belt" acquisition -- many, many more than the J used to run through here in its heyday. Figure CN traffic crossing 50 (?) UP freight trains and 20 or so scoots per day = one well used grade crossing.
As for the number of scoots, you're off by at least 150 percent. There are in excess of 50 scoots through there on a weekday. The 50-freight figure may be close to accurate.
Was assuming that UP had continued to park some of their commuter equipment around West Chicago, which until a few years ago WAS the end of the line (for commuter service). With service now extended to Elburn, and a new yard out there for the evening layovers, I guess (and should have guessed) that West Chicago's days as a repository for sleeping commuter are done and gone. Suppose that's progress...
Just my opinion here (although I'd like to see UP fly over that entire Washington Street/Wood Street/CN area), but making a grade separation there by the tower would probably cause more problems for UP than it would solve. All of the connecting tracks and the yard are so shoehorned in there that it would take a lot of new land to give them what they already have.As for the number of scoots, you're off by at least 150 percent. There are in excess of 50 scoots through there on a weekday. The 50-freight figure may be close to accurate. I think CN has brought its traffic up to levels that are close to what they expected. The only thing still to come would probably take place after a connection to the old IC line in Munger is completed. I think I remember hearing that the dispute with the Forest Preserve District over land required for a connector has been resolved. Said dispute would pale in comparison to what would be encountered if the layout at West Chicago were changed.
zardoz Geez, am I a whiner or what?
Geez, am I a whiner or what?
Yup.
I haven't sent many in, but I tend to agree with the general sentiment.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
CShaveRR _________________________ ...Monday we observed work in progress for the first time on the grade separation that will take Illinois Highway 38 (Roosevelt Road) over the UP main line between West Chicago and Geneva. I hope they make it long (wide) enough for the third track that's planned for this stretch! The highway will curve south of its current alignment to go up and cross over the track at a less acute angle. West of the current crossing a motel that had been in the way has been demolished. (I was hoping that a separation could be made by lowering the railroad and eliminating the vertical curve just west of the current crossing, but I guess not). A cross street, Kautz Road (at the DuPage-Kane County line) will be raised and curved to intersect with Roosevelt near the bridge, probably on the west side.
_________________________
...Monday we observed work in progress for the first time on the grade separation that will take Illinois Highway 38 (Roosevelt Road) over the UP main line between West Chicago and Geneva. I hope they make it long (wide) enough for the third track that's planned for this stretch! The highway will curve south of its current alignment to go up and cross over the track at a less acute angle. West of the current crossing a motel that had been in the way has been demolished. (I was hoping that a separation could be made by lowering the railroad and eliminating the vertical curve just west of the current crossing, but I guess not). A cross street, Kautz Road (at the DuPage-Kane County line) will be raised and curved to intersect with Roosevelt near the bridge, probably on the west side.
Perhaps, Jim, but that is not to say that I'm blaming you a bit for being miffed. (I'm hoping that Pick 'n' Save will still have the calendars available after Christmas...when my daughter and son-in-law are in from California they'll be going to visit a friend in Milwaukee. We'll tell them to pick one up for us ...unless we accompany them!)
Monday we observed work in progress for the first time on the grade separation that will take Illinois Highway 38 (Roosevelt Road) over the UP main line between West Chicago and Geneva. I hope they make it long (wide) enough for the third track that's planned for this stretch! The highway will curve south of its current alignment to go up and cross over the track at a less acute angle. West of the current crossing a motel that had been in the way has been demolished. (I was hoping that a separation could be made by lowering the railroad and eliminating the vertical curve just west of the current crossing, but I guess not). A cross street, Kautz Road (at the DuPage-Kane County line) will be raised and curved to intersect with Roosevelt near the bridge, probably on the west side.Today, less than one hour by the tracks revealed two coal trains, one empty ethanol train, and one of the two scoots. Nothing really spectacular, except for the fact that these trains were seen on December 5, during a bike trip.
CNW 6000 Where do you submit them Jim?
Where do you submit them Jim?
During the time I was sending my photos in, I received an email from the Kalmbach librarian asking me to (not an exact quote) "slow down my contribution quantity because other people were submitting photos as well, and I'm getting overwhelmed". So it's not like they don't have a huge selection to choose from.
Last three photos of the day: van Hattem, Schmidt, van Hattem. I wonder what the others that send in photos think of this trend.
For a long time it did not really bother me that my photos were not selected, as I just figured that they were not good enough. But this latest thing with WTMJ choosing choosing 4 of my photos for the calendar, including giving me the cover image, has made me reconsider the quality of my images. Plus it's not like the photos that are now being used are all that great; yes, they are fine photos, but I find it hard to believe that of all of the people contributing, there aren't images from other photographers that are at least equal, if not better, that the ones currently selected.
zugmann Pretty cool stuff Zardoz.... take a look at his photostream. He's been holding out on us.
Pretty cool stuff Zardoz.... take a look at his photostream. He's been holding out on us.
If you look at the "Photo of the Day" page, you might notice a trend in the photographers used. Of the last 32 photos used, 10 are from van Hattem, 5 are from Murray, 5 are from Schmidt, and 12 are from other photographers.
So here I sit, broken hearted........
Lucky and good trumps everything, Dan!
(Thanks for posting them in the Lounge!)
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