Posts on another railfan site have repeated the observations of construction activity on single track portions of the Emporia sub (southern transcon), along with an alleged timetable. I have updated my Southern Transcon map to show the possible segments:
http://g.co/maps/dyzd3
The locations do correspond with the expected universal crossovers at ~10 mile spacing. Only one segment was slated for (presumably late) 2020 completion.
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! ***
MikeF90 On the northern transcon, BNSF contractors are ramping up their work related to the second Lake Pend Oreille bridge: https://www.railwayage.com/mw/bnsf-breaks-ground-for-second-sandpoint-bridge/ No construction pictures yet except for the article lead by Bruce Kelly. The article states that "dual crossovers will be installed between the two main tracks on the Sandpoint end of the main bridges, near Dog Beach." It will be interesting to see how this is built in such tight quarters.
On the northern transcon, BNSF contractors are ramping up their work related to the second Lake Pend Oreille bridge: https://www.railwayage.com/mw/bnsf-breaks-ground-for-second-sandpoint-bridge/ No construction pictures yet except for the article lead by Bruce Kelly.
The article states that "dual crossovers will be installed between the two main tracks on the Sandpoint end of the main bridges, near Dog Beach." It will be interesting to see how this is built in such tight quarters.
Mike90: RE: Info on the Northern T-con in North Dakota; specifically, on the Missouri River bridge between Bismarck and Mandan Northj Dakota. I received an e-mail via The Friends of The BNSF; It is a fairly regular mailing, and in this one, there is a video titled:
"New Bridge Will Help North Dakota Business Get to Market"
In it are details of problems(apparent?) the the BNSF is having in getting permits to replace this 100yr. old bridge over the Missouri R. They are requesting, via a couple of links in the article for 'concerned parties" [ie: FOBNSF members] to write, or text [52886] their support for this bridge project, and maybe get the 'agencies' to get off their collective duff's, and push the required permits through!
Here is a link to the video@ http://view.email.bnsf.com/?qs=84c197a7612504f8e0807fb24717b132eb7fb44f9ed63773cf9f49c01a078d0f5376c97cbfa31aa7d3667017372b106998ae5445fd57826e93d66f82b693db874d56c0239605c1ea3d1a4480308c0d67a1f66af7bb245e18
Mike90: RE;The Emporia Sub, in the Flint Hills area: Apparently, the carloads of partially assembled switches were headed to that area(?) that I mentioned to you last week. Also, some of the EB traffic thru here has included a number of MOW ballast hoppers and loads of ties. they seem to be in the type of traffic that is some that might be classed as 'local' (?), or one that could easily do enroute swithching(?).
Traffic is moving in fleets thru here , and there seem to be pretty sizeable 'windows' between the fleeting moves(?). Still house bound here due to the COVID19 'rules'. Will let you know when we can get up to the Matfield Green area(?).
I used to be a F.O.B. member but I refuse to do FacePalm where they are now. The above link isn't too detailed but the Coast Guard (not the USACE?) is involved. I'm surprised at any 'friction' because when the RR says 'our bridge is in danger of collapse' the permits usually get fast tracked - happened for old bridges on the line between LA and San Diego.
BTW don't you have to go to El Dorado for 'special groceries'?
[quote user="MikeF90"]
BTW don't you have to go to El Dorado for 'special groceries'? ....
[/quote] It might be that the Coasties are ;wnvolved' because so much of the Missouri R is navigible(?). Just a guess,[C.G.] they seem to pop up when there is any envolvement with a'problem' that might cause a 'downstream problem' on a connector that feeds into a navigable waterway . Years back, I had a 'fuel spill; on I-65 in Kentucky...The second call I got was from the Coast Guard, they had been notified by the Ky State Police...Who had been notified by the County Sheriff.. My driver had hit a big Racoon, and broke his crossover line; we bught a repaivng of about 7 mi of I-[65 and the Trk Stp Parking lot near Sheprdsville. The Coasties got invo;vede because,m a stream flowed into a river which eventually fed into Lake Michigan...
Problem with going out around here is our School Marm Gov. has locked down the whole State; our trip to ElDorado seems to be on hold for a while! Will P.M. you when we start it.
samfp, when you can once more get out and about we (and me especially) would appreciate specific info as they upgrade the Emporia Sub. In addition to my personal experiences on it I, along with other friends and his family, scattered the ashes of a prominent Santa Fe Engineering Dept. man at Matfield Green and just north of the lake.
@diningcar, please check your Messages (PM) for one I sent a few days ago. Thanks!
Thanks MikeF90.
Anyone who has photos of Emporia Sub new construction - posting them will be appreciated.
Hi @diningcar, am I remembering correctly that you worked for the AT&SF on the Crookton Cutoff? If so, did you also work on the Emporia sub reroute? TIA!
MikeF90, I was Right of Way Agent on the Asst. General Manager Engineering staff at Topeka when this occurred so I only had very minor participation with the Emporia Sub line change.
Emporia Sub project is still ongoing and has not been slowed down or stopped because of the conditions of the economy and the virus. Scheduled to be completed in 2022. Cannot get here fast enough and move away the 16,000k trains away from the Ark City Sub here in Wichita.
Reports by a roving, retired rail on The Other forum state that the new second main from Chelsea to Aikman will be cut in by about June 23. Other grading and bridge prep has been observed in the E Gladstone - Ellinor area.
To: Mike90, and others: W/E of 06/26/27/28/2020; Re: BNSF- Flint Hills.
Some observations, from Mulvane, and line NE, Friday PM saw a MOW train EB, was a single unit with a string of MOW 'critters', they were placed between what looked to be a couple of very large surfacing and tamping machines. Saurday AM there was an early mixed train; the first cars were a string of about 20 or so giondolas and hopper cars; loaded with what appeared to be 'junk' ties and materials. Today, Sunday, there was an eastbnd, BNSF ballast train, euipped with solar panels, and possibly GPS dumping(?). So my guess is that the previously noted construction from the Matfield Green area, and northeast toward the Topeka area is probably moving right along. Traffic seems to move in 'fleets', both eastbnd and westbnd.
They seem to be moving an awful lot of auto carriers to the west(?). A couple of trains a day of solid auto carriers, and also in the mixed trains, as well.
It might also be a product of that construction in the Flint Hills, but in the last couple of weeks the BNSF seems to be holding trains in this area; we're about 12 miles out of Wellington Yard [to change crews(?)].
samfp1943, the Emporia Sub does not proceed toward Topeka.The connection to the KC-Newton line is at Ellinor, 12.6 miles west from Emporia. The line from Emporia through Topeka to Holliday is not the principal freight line but is the AMTRAK line, with occasioinal local freight.
This BNSF carload shipping network map gives a comprehensive view of the BNSF subdivisions:
http://www.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/pdf/carload_map.pdf
Besides the ongoing Emporia sub construction, BNSF contractors are building a flyover near Truxton, AZ on the Seligman sub. Their media pages have been near silent since early this year so I don't have details from there.
Here is one of two YT videos found on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYbF3O7JRjQ&t=5s
As I've read, the purpose is to move eastbounds to the north track for easier access to the fueling racks at Belen, NM. Construction is well along with completion due later this year.
Also no recent status of the siding upgrade work between Sandpoint, ID and Whitefish, MT. I'm no signaling expert, but wayside cabinets seen in recent Kootenai River sub videos look pretty new and IIRC include PTC antennas.
MikeF90, thanks for the video. Seems surprising to me that a flyover at Truxton (MP 477) would be the location to elleviate a fueling access situation at Belen (MP0). The southern Transcon has 50 mph xovers every 10+- miles which allows multiple opportunities to cross from the south to the north or vice versa.
I suggest this Truxton construction has another justification. MC, have you heard about this?
The reason for this flyover is because there has always been left hand running from west of Winslow to Belen to get the most favorable grades. Both tracks were originally signalled for one direction only (no CTC) and there was a flyover near Ashfork. When Ashfork (and thus the flyover) was bypassed in the 60's the first CTC was installed from Seligman to Winslow and the burden was on the dispatcher to switch trains to the proper track somewhere in that segment. With the increase of traffic that has caused big delays and that is the reason for the new flyover.
BNSF has CTC/TCS all the way from Belen to Barstow with 50 MPH xovers spaced every 10 +- miles. If you ride #3 or #4 you will experience many crossovers as BNSF attempts to keep Amtrak on schedule as it competes many freight trains. Left hand running no longer exists.
I recall some grade advantages running left hand uphill on both sides of the divide.
Yes rdamon, there are grade advantages to the continental divide summit in NM. Those also can be accomodated with the 50MPH crossovers which the dispatcher who handles the Belen to Gallup segment. The heavy trains can be manuvered just like the Amtrak 3 and 4.
The dispatcher who handles the Winslow to Seligman segment must deal with the AZ summit just west from Flagstaff in a similar manner. The former Williams to Seligman grade problems were mitigated with the 1960 line change which reduced the max grade to 1%. All of these locations have the 50 MPH crossovers.
Seems like a few sections of a 3rd main could have releived that bottleneck as well.
Interesting
diningcar: My question to you is: If all the 50 mph crossovers, etc. make it so easy, why is a flyover being built at all and why is it being built specifically in that location? That was the point of my post.
The addition of 2MT CTC has not changed the grades, so there is still a considerable advantage to left handed running Winslow to Belen. If traffic is not too heavy in the opposing direction, then changing traffic directions via crossovers is acceptable (as was done for many years). With the heavy traffic now on the Transcon, it's another story entirely.
jmonier, that was my question also; as I suggested the Belen to Truxton 477 mile distance did not seem to me to be a reasonable explanation for the flyover.
diningcar jmonier, that was my question also; as I suggested the Belen to Truxton 477 mile distance did not seem to me to be a reasonable explanation for the flyover.
Here's a comment that was said on TO about the truxton flyover
"Date: 01/22/20 01:20
Re: New BNSF Flyover at Truxton ArlzonaAuthor: slug96
I suggest there will be further explanation(s).
After studying the site with the aid of google earth I am suspecting that Truxton Wash erosion is a contributing factor - perhaps the major factor.
diningcarAfter studying the site with the aid of google earth I am suspecting that Truxton Wash erosion is a contributing factor - perhaps the major factor.
Yes Overmod, but this RR has been here since 1885 +- and the engineers know the history. Perhaps the plan is to enhance the existing south track embankment to keep the historical erosion issue diverted from this 'historic problem site'.
Just a a thought waiting for an answer from BNSF.
While a flyover is indeed a great way to avoid stopping trains. What’s the gradient from Ash Fork to Williams? How often are trains held for opposing traffic? As you said Diningcar I noticed the wash from the linked video, and it does appear this is a problem. Monsoon season isn’t a great season with frequent flash flooding. I noticed there’s concrete embankment to keep the RoW stabilized. So perhaps this is a combination of factors. Keeping trains moving while avoiding any more work to keeping the wash in check.
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