Semper Vaporo Guessing on my part I would suspect there needs to be about a 20 ft seperation at the crossing, so, assuming the land is flat and you want to keep the grade to 1% then... hmmmm... I need to take my shoes and socks off for this... (OH PHEW!)... Ummm... I'll leave that to someone else to answer.
Guessing on my part I would suspect there needs to be about a 20 ft seperation at the crossing, so, assuming the land is flat and you want to keep the grade to 1% then... hmmmm... I need to take my shoes and socks off for this... (OH PHEW!)...
Ummm... I'll leave that to someone else to answer.
Current separation requirements are 25 feet - remember double stacks are already at 20 feet 2 inches, there are also auto carriers that are 20 feet 2 inches high.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
MrLynnMaybe with all that traffic it would be more cost-effective to build a fly-over (or an underpass).
Even the briefest look at the area around the crossing suggests that a floyover is a non-starter, absent a serious route change on the part of BNSF (UP has Global III in place which limits their alignment modification). Too many grade crossings exist on either side. The Colton flyover, for example, has about a mile of "ramp" on the east side which was doable because there were no grade crossings. UP had to "make the jump" because the BNSF had the freeway on the north side of the UP route to contend with.
Crossings are high maintenance trackwork, but they are reasonable and do not usually merit flyover replacement unless there are traffic issues (lots of trains waiting) that make flyovers attractive.
CatFoodFlambe The "rock and roll" over the diamonds on the UP south track was getting out of control over the weekend - perhaps they're there to correct this? Seems like the crossing needs its own full-time section crew!
The "rock and roll" over the diamonds on the UP south track was getting out of control over the weekend - perhaps they're there to correct this?
Seems like the crossing needs its own full-time section crew!
I was watching and listening to the Northern Illinois Railroad scanner feed yesterday (Sunday). A BNSF track inspector was hi-railing most of the day from Aurora going west and reached the diamonds around 3:00 pm. He proceeded west about 2 1/2 miles to Flagg Center (west end of double track) and set off. He mentioned to the Dispatcher that he didn't like something at the diamonds and would be going to the diamond by highway to check it out. In short order he and his presumed assistant were out looking things over. Next thing he's on the radio to the dispatcher to slap a 10 mph on both BNSF track 1 & UP track 2 (both nearest to the park) for "bad frogs". He indicated he would inform UP mow since they apparently have the responsibility to do welding of the diamonds themselves.
Well they finished the work and took down the red flags yesterday afternoon and things seem to be normal this morning.
Just as a follow on I have seen a couple of guys with what looks like a MofW road vehicle looking at the diamonds today at about 10am today. Looks like maybe more work will follow, if there is a continuing problem.
Not sure if it is the camera or lighting, but it looks like the UP tracks are hidden.
just saw a up eastbound so tracks are still there
xjqcf CatFoodFlambe The "rock and roll" over the diamonds on the UP south track was getting out of control over the weekend - perhaps they're there to correct this? Seems like the crossing needs its own full-time section crew! I was watching and listening to the Northern Illinois Railroad scanner feed yesterday (Sunday). A BNSF track inspector was hi-railing most of the day from Aurora going west and reached the diamonds around 3:00 pm. He proceeded west about 2 1/2 miles to Flagg Center (west end of double track) and set off. He mentioned to the Dispatcher that he didn't like something at the diamonds and would be going to the diamond by highway to check it out. In short order he and his presumed assistant were out looking things over. Next thing he's on the radio to the dispatcher to slap a 10 mph on both BNSF track 1 & UP track 2 (both nearest to the park) for "bad frogs". He indicated he would inform UP mow since they apparently have the responsibility to do welding of the diamonds themselves. After a few minutes the UP dispatcher contacts a westbound train to give him a verbal speed restriction. Problem was the train was maybe 1/4 miles east of the diamonds running at track speed; the horns could be heard blowing for the Rochelle crossing! In about 15 seconds he comes roaring across the diamond, but he's obviously decelerating rapidly. Musta big-holed it because he came to a stop just before reaching the crossing. One other tidbit I learned - the BNSF track inspector emphasized that when the UP welders fix the diamond the BNSF track should not be deemed good for normal speed (35 mph); there is an underlining "alignment problem" that has a 25 mph restriction on this track (not sure if it also applies to track 2 also). I know BNSF had a 10mph on this track for much of January; lat in the month they had a tamper and ballast regulator working mostly just east of the diamonds, which apparently brought them up to the 25 mph; don't know what they need to do to get it back to 35. -Matt
i was wondering how you listen in on the northern ill radio. i had it for a while but now it doesn't work anymore
rdettmer xjqcf CatFoodFlambe The "rock and roll" over the diamonds on the UP south track was getting out of control over the weekend - perhaps they're there to correct this? Seems like the crossing needs its own full-time section crew! I was watching and listening to the Northern Illinois Railroad scanner feed yesterday (Sunday). A BNSF track inspector was hi-railing most of the day from Aurora going west and reached the diamonds around 3:00 pm. He proceeded west about 2 1/2 miles to Flagg Center (west end of double track) and set off. He mentioned to the Dispatcher that he didn't like something at the diamonds and would be going to the diamond by highway to check it out. In short order he and his presumed assistant were out looking things over. Next thing he's on the radio to the dispatcher to slap a 10 mph on both BNSF track 1 & UP track 2 (both nearest to the park) for "bad frogs". He indicated he would inform UP mow since they apparently have the responsibility to do welding of the diamonds themselves. After a few minutes the UP dispatcher contacts a westbound train to give him a verbal speed restriction. Problem was the train was maybe 1/4 miles east of the diamonds running at track speed; the horns could be heard blowing for the Rochelle crossing! In about 15 seconds he comes roaring across the diamond, but he's obviously decelerating rapidly. Musta big-holed it because he came to a stop just before reaching the crossing. One other tidbit I learned - the BNSF track inspector emphasized that when the UP welders fix the diamond the BNSF track should not be deemed good for normal speed (35 mph); there is an underlining "alignment problem" that has a 25 mph restriction on this track (not sure if it also applies to track 2 also). I know BNSF had a 10mph on this track for much of January; lat in the month they had a tamper and ballast regulator working mostly just east of the diamonds, which apparently brought them up to the 25 mph; don't know what they need to do to get it back to 35. -Matt i was wondering how you listen in on the northern ill radio. i had it for a while but now it doesn't work anymore
I had been listening a lot since last summer, but I've slacked off for most of the past week. I did listen in briefly a few days ago and noticed that no audio was produced even though the lecel bars on the standard web player would show some activity. I just opened the feed up and saw the following on the feed's main page:
"Status: *** Due to below zero temps at the remote feed site, computer may be experiencing an audio outage *** Feed will remain on-line in hopes audio will return as temps rise ***"
The feed status is "offline." Bring on spring!!!
-Matt
"A [Trackman's] Work Is Never Done"...Looks like the rock show is back on both UP tracks over/just west of the BNSF South Track diamonds... No slowdowns on the UP traffic thus far.
0718 02 25 BNSF two engines, BNSF, and UP unit no 2, with a covered hoppers, on track 02,
on it's tail was a BNSF Tank train, overtaking the hopper train on track 01
UP EB was visable and of this time, 0725, waiting.
oops while writing it timed out. UP Stack eastbound. 0727.
all trains moving at speed.
I getting very flakey at present.
The Earth Cam weather icon at the bottom right doesn't keep up with the actual weather. Indicating Clear
BaltACDI getting very flakey at present.
I've heard that about you....
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...
tree68 BaltACD I getting very flakey at present.
BaltACD I getting very flakey at present.
wow, just loaded the cam on a whim and it loaded perfectly, and it wasn't supposed to work on firefox browser.
since i like reading japanese comics, or manga, i had to load adobe flash player for the 'Viz' manga site, and the cam now works fine.
whoops there's a horn. later.
Well, spent some time watching today. Saw a truck by the diamonds and two persons got out. On the Northern Illinois Railroad feed (Back up!) they identified as BNSF track inspectors. They spent all of their time carefully looking at both diamonds on BNSF 1 track, then returned to their truck. They radioed the BNSF dispatcher to inform him that they are slapping a 10 mph speed restriction on BNSF track 1 (there is a long term speed restriction of 25 mph apparently due to the track immediately to the east of the diamonds; normal speed is 35 mph). They also indicated that it's UP's responsibility to provide the required welding repairs to four of the eight frogs. Back to crawling BNSF trains on track 1.
xjqcf ... 10 mph speed restriction on BNSF track 1 .... Back to crawling BNSF trains on track 1.
... 10 mph speed restriction on BNSF track 1 .... Back to crawling BNSF trains on track 1.
I was about to ask which is BNSF Track 1 when I logged on to the web cam just as a WB BNSF oil train was creeping through Rochelle on the near track. 'nuff said.
ChuckAllen, TX
cefinkjr xjqcf ... 10 mph speed restriction on BNSF track 1 .... Back to crawling BNSF trains on track 1. I was about to ask which is BNSF Track 1 when I logged on to the web cam just as a WB BNSF oil train was creeping through Rochelle on the near track. 'nuff said.
And when I returned to the web cam after posting the above, there were at least two UP trains (a EB and a WB) being held up by that BNSF oil train. Could be more stacked up behind these two.
Slow orders at crossings really hurt both roads but, in this case, it hurts UP more than BNSF since it only slows one of two BNSF tracks but blocks both UP tracks. I'd guess UP will have a crew on this pretty quickly.
UP Heritage Chicago North Western has been running back and forth now for the third time just now, WB Head end pwr. 12.55 28 feb.
Why are the UP tracks more snow-free than the BNSF tracks only a few feet away? More trains? Faster trains? Different ballast material? More dark-colored dirt falling from trains (e.g., coal dust)?
Edited to add:
After watching a WB stack train behind 4 units on BNSF 2 at track speed and then a WB stack train behind 3 on UP 1 with 10 mph slow order, strike that "Faster trains?" guess.
cefinkjrWhy are the UP tracks more snow-free than the BNSF tracks only a few feet away?
Probably the combination of heavier traffic on the UP which gives more time for traction motor fans to blow warm air on the tracks. Just a guess.
I'll go along with the more trains aspect - and once the snow has a chance to settle in, it's that much harder to blow away, by whatever means. UP doesn't give it a chance to set.
Note, too, that the UP tracks are more open to what sun they may get. The BNSF tracks next to the park are pretty much in the shade this time of year. It doesn't take much sun to start melting the snow, and as it does the bare area being heated increases, which makes surrounding snow melt all the much faster.
I see that with my driveway. If I can get almost all the snow off it first thing in the morning, the remaining snow will melt to bare pavement. But as the morning progresses part of the driveway is shaded by my house. That almost never melts completely off.
Edit: Just saw an IM go through westbound (after waiting for an EB BNSF coal train) with two locos leading, and two on the rear... It didn't appear to be an unusually long train, so I'm guessing it was a power move, with the extras tagged on the rear for ease of removal.
a lot of work on the diamonds today. there still out there with big lights to see what there doing.
Logged in about 20 minutes ago, and what did I see but two UP manifest freights heading eastbound for the diamonds side-by-side, tooting warnings (for the MOW crew) in different keys. What fun!
Now the crew is out using a sledgehammer on the far UP track.
/Mr Lynn
OK, it's probably a little after sundown now and a WB string of empty coal hoppers is going through the diamonds at around 10 mph. The "ball park" lights are on, suggesting that the MOW folks are still there, which would be at least two trucks, now that the train has cleared the diamonds. A couple of two or three hours ago there were two UP trucks there.
At least the temp is only 28° this time, though it looks like Rochelle got some fresh snow today.
EDIT: I just noticed another truck parked across the BNSF tracks from the main force just west of the signal shelter there.
7pm local time and the crews are working under floodlights. Several trucks with their requisite flashing lights. Something serious must be going on to have the crews out at this hour. Looks like they're working on the crossing of the UP and BNSF tracks nearest to the camera. Three crew just retreated for an eastbound UP stack on the far track which was moving at a pretty good clip... perhaps track speed?
9:15pm - the lights are still on and workers around. Welding going on on the diamond closest to the camera.
Still welding, on closest diamond. Continued while train went by on outer UP track. Lighting doesn't illuminate trains well, but you can see the outlines. They are out rather late!
0752 CT - MofW truck arrives.
BtrainBob 7pm local time and the crews are working under floodlights. Several trucks with their requisite flashing lights. Something serious must be going on to have the crews out at this hour. ...
7pm local time and the crews are working under floodlights. Several trucks with their requisite flashing lights. Something serious must be going on to have the crews out at this hour. ...
"Something serious" is the nearest diamond. There have been problems with that diamond for the last few weeks. The BNSF Track Supervisor put a 10 mph speed limit on it last week (?). Since UP is responsible for maintenance at this location and the 10 mph speed limit on one BNSF track delays trains on both UP tracks, UP apparently decided that they had better do something sooner than later.
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