Right now double track is in place approximately 70% +/- across El Dorado Lake and the bridge is a double track bridge with one track laid across it.
Single track stretches from just east of the El Dorado Lake bridge down to the City of El Dorado.
There is one road overpass of the railroad at Myers Road, with the railroad passing beneath that bridge.
It is hard to tell from Google if that overpass has the span to have a second track laid underneath it or not.
It looks like filling the gap between double track will entail widening the west 30% or so to the causeway over El Dorado Lake and dealing with any issues at the Myers Road vehicle bridge as the two most complicated tasks of the project.
kgbw49Right now double track is in place approximately 70% +/- across El Dorado Lake and the bridge is a double track bridge with one track laid across it.
Yeahaah OK, it still looks pretty narrow for two tracks. Spacing must be pretty tight like 16.000 ft I've seen on older ATSF ROW.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Maybe they will add a third span so that they continue to have a service road along side the rail?
With the investment at Sibley, it sure seems BNSF is committed to 100% double track or better between Chicago and Hobart.
There can't be that much left after the Flint Hills project is completed.
'F90, you are likely one of the best, if not the best, resources on the topic. The Swami of The Southern Transcon and Nostradamus of The Northern Transcon.
What do you think will be left to do after the Flint Hills to get the Southern Transcon to 100%?
Thank you in advance for any insight!
kgbw49What do you think will be left to do after the Flint Hills to get the Southern Transcon to 100%?
As has been mentioned previously, a new bridge at Sibley MO and the lesser span at Alva OK are the only single track sections known. I haven't yet come across what, if any, track changes will be done for the new Barstow facility.
Grading is pretty active on the Emporia sub 2MT project west of Matfield Green. Pictures are available at The Other railfan site. To see full screen you have to have a membership.
Concerning the Mulvane-Ellinor section. We have three bridges: The bridge that's a part of the Lake El Dorado Causeway, Rock Creek at Bazaar, and Cedar Creek just southwest of Ellinor. The former is already good to go for 2MT. However does anyone have the heads up on the latter two?
Rock Creek-https://www.google.com/maps/@38.2651348,-96.5384785,254m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Cedar Creek-https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3616008,-96.4846166,334m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
SD60MAC9500Concerning the Mulvane-Ellinor section. We have three bridges: The bridge that's a part of the Lake El Dorado Causeway, Rock Creek at Bazaar, and Cedar Creek just southwest of Ellinor. The former is already good to go for 2MT. However does anyone have the heads up on the latter two?
I'm not onsite with a camera but IMO the Cedar Creek bridge should long be done as that section is operational 2MT. Rock Creek should be well on its way as that part of the sub upgrade should be complete 'next year'.
Anyone tracked down some newer aerial photos? Harder to get than Ukraine for some reason.
The bing maps photo shows construction at Cedar Creek.
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=9d49f065-8264-434c-afaf-3f49f16d0272&cp=38.36154~-96.484814&lvl=18.815332&style=a&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
The STB has approved of BNSF reacquiring the former Northern Pacific back from Montana Rail Link for $2 billion.
That restablishes the complete Northern Pacific transcontinental route under one corporate entity.
it will be interesting to see what capacity improvements BNSF undertakes on the former MRL.
kgbw49it will be intersting to see what capacity improvements BNSF undertakes on the former MRL.
Absolutely! When I get motivated to track down a recent MRL timetable with siding locations and lengths, I will update my Northern Transcon map according; then maybe I can offer some speculation about possible improvements.
[quote user="MikeF90"]
kgbw49 it will be intersting to see what capacity improvements BNSF undertakes on the former MRL.
[/quote]
Friday, Mar.10th,2023: I cannot speak to its' destination; but about 11.15 AM this morning.
There was what appeared to be a large,[possibly, a 'double' section(?), self-unloading, Contractor's Ballast Train; [ E.Bnd at Mulvane(Main 3) Eldorado sub. ]
I'd guess, it's destination is, possibly, the subject of Mike F90's, and kgbw's, preceeding, Thread discussion? (They've [BNSF(?)] also had staged here in Mulvane,(a couple of weeks now). A 'heavy' railroad crane, equipped with a long boom, which was moved down from the construction area(?).
So the 'signs' seem to point, in the direction of the prjected bridges; and causway being 'pushed' to a 'compleation' out towards Eldorado Lake area(?).. Maybe, the short sections aroud Augusta, won't be too far off in the future?
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