May 25, 2017
Substantial track re-work continues at Rochelle diamonds today.
DES
Today's work has begun, this time on UP #1 track. This should be the last of the panel work.
MKT Davesomeone shooting a gun
So, I wasn't imagining it. Thanks
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
someone shooting a gun, think it might be the bird hater with all the flags and stuff. had earphones on, was loud, thanks jerk.
Two UP Heritage Unit sightings in two days.
Just saw the "Missouri Pacific" unit as the second of two on a WB intermodal train that cleared the diamonds at 1822 CDT.
Yesterday I saw the "Western Pacific" unit on a EB train.
xjqcf xjqcf rdamon Looks like we won't be getting any work done for the next few days .. I just got wind of the work for tomorrow via a BNSF track or maintainer conversation with the dispatcher. BNSF track #1 (closest to the park) will get 2 panels replaced. Last BNSF on #1 track by just after 7:00. Today's work has begun.
xjqcf rdamon Looks like we won't be getting any work done for the next few days .. I just got wind of the work for tomorrow via a BNSF track or maintainer conversation with the dispatcher. BNSF track #1 (closest to the park) will get 2 panels replaced.
rdamon Looks like we won't be getting any work done for the next few days ..
Looks like we won't be getting any work done for the next few days ..
I just got wind of the work for tomorrow via a BNSF track or maintainer conversation with the dispatcher. BNSF track #1 (closest to the park) will get 2 panels replaced.
Last BNSF on #1 track by just after 7:00. Today's work has begun.
The first BNSF train on track #1 after work done for the day by at 3:02. 10 mph speed restriction in place. After passage the speed restriction was increased to 25, which ws also done on #2 track on Monday.
anyone know why their replacing all of the approaches to the diamond? I can guess, but, would like to know the real reason. Improve drainage? Change in rail weight for the new diamond? Alignment of the new diamond? Thanks
looks pretty serious doesnt look like routine maintenace
trainmaster247 trainmaster247 Waiting and track work going on... And now they took the spur:
trainmaster247 Waiting and track work going on...
Waiting and track work going on...
And now they took the spur:
When they came out the conductor on the local asked the foreman in charge of the form B for permission, asking that if they found any worms good for fishing. I don't know if any worms found in that oil and residue soaked muck would be good lures or if the fish caught with such worms would be fir for consumption.
BaltACD Today's activities seem to be on replacing a panel on the BNSF West & East of the Diamond. First time I have heard of replacing panels approaching the diamonds in preparation for replacing the diamonds. I wonder what they will do with the other BNSF track where the switch is involved?
Today's activities seem to be on replacing a panel on the BNSF West & East of the Diamond.
First time I have heard of replacing panels approaching the diamonds in preparation for replacing the diamonds. I wonder what they will do with the other BNSF track where the switch is involved?
I wondered about this when they did work on Monday on BNSF #2 track. Although they did not replace panel on the east side they did some work on up to about the frog on the 199 switch. The work included a number of welds but not sure if it was rail related or just signal bonds.
BaltACD Today's activities seem to be on replacing a panel on the BNSF West & East of the Diamond. First time I have heard of replacing panels approaching the diamonds in preparation for replacing the diamonds.
First time I have heard of replacing panels approaching the diamonds in preparation for replacing the diamonds.
It looks like their equipment for either side is a little unbalanced, wouldn't you say? Kinda comical if you ask me.
An artist sees the world in colors and patterns. An engineer sees the world in mathematical equations. Both help shape the World and are just as important as the other.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
xjqcfThe head light dimming on the eastbound was probably due to the presence of the westbound just on the other side of the diamonds.
Left my computer for lunch before the WB showed up on the screen.
ChuckAllen, TX
cefinkjr EB BNSF stack train (all JB Hunt boxes?) on #2 stopped just short of the diamonds, dimmed his headlight, and then proceeded across the diamonds like it was running on thin ice. So slow it's stil crossing the diamonds. First time I've ever seen that.
EB BNSF stack train (all JB Hunt boxes?) on #2 stopped just short of the diamonds, dimmed his headlight, and then proceeded across the diamonds like it was running on thin ice. So slow it's stil crossing the diamonds. First time I've ever seen that.
This is just another situation where the BNSF dispatcher does not have good control of traffic at the diamonds, particularly when there's work there, since, even though this is an automatic interlocking operating, at least in part, on a first come, first served principle, because UP is in charge of both trackwork and signal maintenance.
The theory was that both railroads could run on tracks not actually out of service as normally; both railroads had their own form B's in effect with their own foremen giving permission to pass through the zone HOWEVER the diamonds themselves have their own requirements to met, either by signal indication, or, if the dispatchers agree, to allow a train to pass a stop signal after the conductor goes to the release box and follow the the instructions posted there.
BNSF had two trains in the picture, and eastbound stack train on track 2 and a westbound empty oil train on track 1. Both trains were cleared through the form B zone and were supposed to get clear signals, but the signal dropped. There was speculation that there was a problem with the application of shunts, or perhaps track equipment was shunting. Dispatcher tells crew that there's no cross traffic and to do the release proceedure. Finally did that after a bit of a detour since the conductor didn't know that the release is located on the main control box at the diamond, not at the signal bridge. he finally did this, got the ok and waited for his train to pull through to pick him up. By this time the westbound had arrived and did the same proceedure. The head light dimming on the eastbound was probably due to the presence of the westbound just on the other side of the diamonds.
In a later conversation the BNSF dispatcher was grousing when talking to another train planning to cross the diamonds about UP having effective control the diamonds and that their traffic gets preferential treatment.
So I'm a little late to this thread, but what exactly are they working on? Replacing the panels? All I cought wind of was the dude's butt crack just before the freighter went by.
:) I had to quickly mute my phone during a confrence call ...
I wonder if there is anything special with the track panels .. would they use a heavier rail on the diamonds?
rdamonLooks like we won't be getting any work done for the next few days ..
Misunderstood your post at first; wondered who you meant by "we". Finally dawned on me that "we" includes me and I have to agree. Maybe if I can get my wife off the laptop she's using, I can move it here beside my desktop. Then I'll just get a severe case of strained eyeball muscles.
New panel is already in:
xjqcf They seem to be focusing on #2 track (closest to the park). A track worker just poked at the ballast on #2 with a ballast fork, just like they did before yesterday's track panel work.
They seem to be focusing on #2 track (closest to the park). A track worker just poked at the ballast on #2 with a ballast fork, just like they did before yesterday's track panel work.
Old section cut and removed. Bobcat at site and waiting
Looks like they're setting up for a second day of fun. A bunch of people are on scene scoping out UP east of the diamonds. I did notice yesterday a couple of endloaders carrying a rather longer track panel east along UP #1 track, so perhaps that's today's agenda.
Did my memory just deceive me, or did the EB BNSF intermodal train that just clear the diamonds at 1616 CDT consist of TOFC loads entirely? There wasn't a stacked set of cans in sight. I don't believe I have ever seen such a large train made up like that. And it had three units up front.
BTW, the first thing I noticed was it was trying out the new track panel laid this morning.
cefinkjr I saw what might have been the first UP traffic on #2 since that panel was replaced. Both units did a very nice dosey-doe as they crossed the diamonds. Might need a little more work there, Guys. My bet is that this work on adjacent BNSF panels is preparation for replacement of the diamonds next weekend. I'm going to be tied up from Friday to Monday with VFW Memorial Day activities so I hope somebody gets a good video and posts a link to it here.
I saw what might have been the first UP traffic on #2 since that panel was replaced. Both units did a very nice dosey-doe as they crossed the diamonds. Might need a little more work there, Guys.
My bet is that this work on adjacent BNSF panels is preparation for replacement of the diamonds next weekend. I'm going to be tied up from Friday to Monday with VFW Memorial Day activities so I hope somebody gets a good video and posts a link to it here.
UP has been running traffic on #2 track in both directions all day. They have a form B zone and a form C with a flagman giving authority to pass through the interlocking. BNSF has been dead until now (they had an unrelated track window further west until 12:00) but just got the first one through (eastbound stacker), with one close behind.
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