Golden State Route

[favuprailroadfan]

Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[jeffhergert]

The entire subdivision could be 40mph and as long as things are moving, trains should make it with hours to spare.
If UPS freight is involved in a derailment, I doubt UPS's biggest concern will be that their trailer is in the ditch because the track was only good for 40 instead of 70.
The UP's engineering budget for 2005 is $l.8 Billion. That's for everything, regular maintenence, new construction, signal projects, etc. I was told by a MOP (road foreman or travelling engineer on other rrs) that to just keep up with normal replacement, they need to put in 4 1/2 million new ties a year. This year the hope to put in 5 million to try to get ahead a bit.
Remember there is a lot more UP than just the Pratt Subdivision. They'll get to it
Jeff

[spbed]

Well thanks for that info. If I understood you correctly you are saying that only about 12 trains per day were using the GSR between El Paso & the BNSF in Ks. I was planning on going to ELP in Oct & explore the line at least until Vaughn NM but if only 12 trains per day use it it does not sound to exciting to me sorry to say. I to am a big UPRR fan & went to western Ariz to actually see the UPS bullet train roar by at whatever hi speed it was going at. That was worth every penny I spent in air fare to see that sucker chugging along. As I am typing this a UPRR D/stacker that came off the GSR is passing the Ft. Madison webcam on the BNSF transcon. It must have passed your area earlier this AM. He is really hauling a$$. [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[spbed]

A 2nd UPRR container train off the GSR just passed the Ft. Madison webcam on it way
to Chicago via the BNSF transcon. [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

the only time i've seen a UP train at speed is on the BNSF. every time i'm near the UP's ex-CNW (via rochelle) it's a parking lot...........why is that?? the commuter traffic fouls it up that bad or is it just THAT busy..

[spbed]

Heads up to you a WB UPRR D/stacker just passed the Ft. Madison webcam. @ 0930 Lead by 2 UPRRs locos 3rd loco is a CSX. [:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[spbed]

Well today is UPRR day on the BNSF transcon as a EB UPRR D/stacker just when by the cam in Ft. Madison which came off the GSR. [:p][:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[spbed]

Another UPRR WBer D/stacker just passed the Ft. Madison cam @3.45PM destined for the GSR. 3 loco set the middle one is a NS. [:)][:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[spbed]

here is another alert. A WBer with 3 UPRR locos just passed the Ft. Madison cam at 2:16PM destined for the GSR. Good watching. [:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[kenneo]

Dru

Please remember that you are dealing with a former SP line. I don't understand why the UP even thought about buying that railroad. The deferred maintainence on that company would bankrupt the Federal government!

[spbed]

When you are looking at the diamond from east to west there are several grade crossings back from the diamond + 1 on the west side of the diamond. Also the cam pix is distorted the UPRR tracks are making a sweeping left hand turn from maybe 1/2 mile on the east side of the diamond & 1/4 mile more on the west side of the diamond before the tracks become tangent again. [:o)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

the only time i've seen a UP train at speed is on the BNSF. every time i'm near the UP's ex-CNW (via rochelle) it's a parking lot...........why is that?? the commuter traffic fouls it up that bad or is it just THAT busy..

[spbed]

Some time ago Trains magazine wrote a article on the rebuilt GSR & showed a UPRR loco going along at 70MPH. [8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo

Dru

Please remember that you are dealing with a former SP line. I don't understand why the UP even thought about buying that railroad. The deferred maintainence on that company would bankrupt the Federal government!

[favuprailroadfan]

Thanks for all the replays guys. Keep them coming. I saw that one stacker with the CSX loco yesterday morning sitting here in the siding @ Kismet. They switched the lead unit which was a C40-8, for the second unit, an SD60, which is always cool to have a EMD up front(just an opinion). The stacker sat in the siding for almost an hour and a half, while waiting on 2 manifests. I have been told by service guys, that they are only running 4 stackers a day on the BNSF, these interchange off @ Hutchinson. They run 4 manifests, and 4 autorack(2 in each direction). You also have the grain trains, which run in DPU mode sometimes. Yesterday, they finally brought in a rock train, and laid it down in the cut that is just west of town. They are supposed to be bringing in a total of 180 cars, this one was just 60 long. But the thing is, they are wanting to run this line to compete with BNSF, at 40 mph? I don't think so. Yes I understand that this not UP's only line, but this line does connect with the Sunset, so they do need some TLC for it. I like the comment about the SP breaking the gov. On the article in TRAINS, yes it was a very good article, but that pic was down in New Mexico, where UP has spent all kinds of money down there, it is CTC and they have done a lot of work, so they are supposed to be here soon. ( Let's hope)! But they are concentratin on the Sunset so much, but its like they have forgotten. SO keep the repies coming and I'll get back to them ASAP.
Laters, Dru

[spbed]

Whenever I see a UPRR hit the cam going WB I will dial you up! Thanks also for the explanation that the work done on the GSR was in NM. If the UPRR is going to make that connector in Edelstein from the BNSF to their Peoria sub then onto the overland I would expect the part they did not upgrade yet will be upgraded quickly so that they can then really compete with the BNSF. When the bullet train was on the go was that also restricted to 40MPH as you posted? When I saw it Ariz I wish I had a radar gun but I would estimate min over 60MPH. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan

Thanks for all the replays guys. Keep them coming. I saw that one stacker with the CSX loco yesterday morning sitting here in the siding @ Kismet. They switched the lead unit which was a C40-8, for the second unit, an SD60, which is always cool to have a EMD up front(just an opinion). The stacker sat in the siding for almost an hour and a half, while waiting on 2 manifests. I have been told by service guys, that they are only running 4 stackers a day on the BNSF, these interchange off @ Hutchinson. They run 4 manifests, and 4 autorack(2 in each direction). You also have the grain trains, which run in DPU mode sometimes. Yesterday, they finally brought in a rock train, and laid it down in the cut that is just west of town. They are supposed to be bringing in a total of 180 cars, this one was just 60 long. But the thing is, they are wanting to run this line to compete with BNSF, at 40 mph? I don't think so. Yes I understand that this not UP's only line, but this line does connect with the Sunset, so they do need some TLC for it. I like the comment about the SP breaking the gov. On the article in TRAINS, yes it was a very good article, but that pic was down in New Mexico, where UP has spent all kinds of money down there, it is CTC and they have done a lot of work, so they are supposed to be here soon. ( Let's hope)! But they are concentratin on the Sunset so much, but its like they have forgotten. SO keep the repies coming and I'll get back to them ASAP.
Laters, Dru

[spbed]

Sorry guy the Ft. Madison is down at the moment so no heads up concerning UPRR WBers on the BNSF transcon will be posted. [:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[favuprailroadfan]

Thanks for the heads up on the WB Stackers. Friday night I saw something interesting. There was a empty coal sitting here in the siding waiting on 2 east. About 2 months ago, we was seeing about 4-6 empty coal a day.This was the first one I seen since then. They reroute them if they are doing work on the KP or the line in Neb. On the bullet, I don't know if the track was in that bad of shape then, but I know that it wasn't in the best shape. They wanted to run it at 75, but the AC6000's that they had on it, they tripped the governor at 74.9. To give you some perspective on what that train did. It would leave KC at 9:30 A.M. on a Wed., and it would be crossing Main here in Kismet at 6:15 P.M, and be in El Paso@ 10:30 A.M Thursday. The EB version would pass here at 7:30 A.M. on Wed. So they always meet sometime on BNSF between Hutchinson and KC on the Emporia Sub. UP crews ran all the way from Pratt to KC. They did this run about 4-41/2 hours. That is making awesome time. If you ever get out in the area, bring a scanner, this line is TWC and ABS signaling. Just east of Liberal@ MP426.9, there is a change of dispatcher and frequency change. From 426.9-Pratt(MP279), it is in the control of Dispatcher 72@ 160.320, and 426.9-Dalhart(MP544)-Dispatcher 11@161.550. MofW channel is 161.400, there are sidings @ Pratt-9900ft,Wellsford-9080,Joy-9070,Bucklin-9950,Bloom-9090,Fowler-9070,Missler-9080,Kismet-9070,Liberal-8700,Tyrone-9070,Goodwell-9080,Stevens-9090,then at Stratford,TX, they have the interchange with one of BNSF's coal routes, it then goes CTC all the way to Dalhart, siding at Stratford is 6800,Conlen-9080,Dalhart-I think they extended it to around 11,000. There also the interchange with the other BNSF coal route right beside the depot there, where you can get good pics of trains. Hope this helps everybody out.
Keep replaying, Dru

[spbed]

Heads up a WB stacker just passed Ft. Madison @ 7:45 AM. 3 loco UPRR set one is #4426 or 4429. How many hours more/less to your area? [8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[rockisland4309]

Dru,

Has U.P. decided not to wire CTC from Liberal to Herington? In the TRAINS article the railroad was planning on getting the entire GSR wired for CTC to Herington. Also, how many locals run out of Liberal?

[spbed]

Well Trains magazine reported that the UPRR has purchased land at Edelstein IL so that can build a connector from the BNSF transcon to the UPRR Peoria sub so that UPRR will be able to run trains over the Sunset/GSR/then BNSF transon to Edelstein/then the Peoria sub to Nelson Il to connect with the old CNW overland route. If those plans materialize then for sure they will have to improve the GSR as I guess the reason for spending the $$$$ is to compete with the BNSF in the LAX/CHIC corridor. [8D][:o)] there

QUOTE: Originally posted by rockisland4309

Dru,

Has U.P. decided not to wire CTC from Liberal to Herington? In the TRAINS article the railroad was planning on getting the entire GSR wired for CTC to Herington. Also, how many locals run out of Liberal?

[spbed]

Hey a UPRR EB stacker just went by with only NS engines pulling it. Did you see it down there? [:D][:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

i know it's pretty common, but it seems odd to me that UP is trying to compete with BNSF between chicago and LA...and uses the competitor's route for 1/4 of the journey. that'd be along the lines of mcdonalds selling big macs at burger king.

[spbed]

Yep sounds wacko but the UPRR got those rights from acquiring the SPRR who got the rights from the I think the former ICC when they purchased the GSR after RI fell. It is in a way no difference that UPRR holds trackage rights over BNSF to get from LAX to Daggett so they can then access their own line to LV, SLC & the overland route. [8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

i know it's pretty common, but it seems odd to me that UP is trying to compete with BNSF between chicago and LA...and uses the competitor's route for 1/4 of the journey. that'd be along the lines of mcdonalds selling big macs at burger king.

[spbed]

Sorry Ft. Madison cam went blank @ 0830 EST so naturally no further reports until it returns. [:(]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[spbed]

OK the cam is back so if a WB UPRR comes by I will give you the heads up! [:p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan



Hey all, I am back after a long absence. UP's GSR might be in some trouble. I am still in SW KS,( Kismet to be exact), along this line. I have talked to some of the train service guys, and they said that almost half of the line is at 40 mph! Its 40 miles of this restriction once they leave Pratt( crew change point) and then its 60 for about 4 or 5 miles then back to 40 for another 10. Once they leave Guymon, OK, it is 45-60 all the way to Dalhart, that is almost 75 miles worth of restriction. The Liberal Sub is only 243 miles in length, but at those speeds, about 60% of the trains are dying on the law. Think about something here, this is the same line that they were running the BULLET on at 75 mph. I wonder what UPS would have thought, if that thing derailed on the these type of track conditions!? UP needs to get their act together and do something about this, they think they are GOD. I am a big UP fan but right now, I am very disappointed in them, knowing they have a good line here, that could possibly compete with BNSF, that had been proven with the bullet if they just spend some money for a little bit of TLC. Our density is down to about 12 a day if that, back in pre-merger SP days, when they had the inspections and fueling in Liberal, they were putting 30-40 a day. This line is very capable of handling it, if it was in good shape. Sidings every 15 miles all over 9000 feet in length, except Liberal@8700. All sidings have controlled switches, its all but wired for CTC.

If anybody would like to add to this or have any questions, just ask and I will try and tell you about the line some more.
Thanks, Dru

P.S. Sorry I wrote so much but I had to vent, the wife don't like to here about it. [:D][:D]

[favuprailroadfan]

howdy yall, you can count on about 20 hrs or so to Ft. Madison from here. There is 2 locals out of Liberal. One to Pratt and one to Dalhart. 7 miles east of here in Plains, there originate grain trains, they usually run around 100 cars long, and most of the time they run with 3 AC4400's up front, but I do get lucky sometimes and they are operating in DPU mode. No they have not run the CTC yet, the sidings are dispatcher controlled yet they are considered manual interlockings, in TWC ABS territory. The home signals for every siding is directly related to which indication in on the siding signal, which I know yall know that. Ponder something with me, there are 4 signals between each siding, But the ones on before the siding is the home. So there are only 2 signals which are not controlled by the dispatcher whould you not run CTC, they sidings are wired for CTC, but there are not considered it???? They are all screwed up in which way they want to run it. I was down at the tracks today with my 1 yr old, and he got his fix, and it pretty much did me the same. Had a grain train sitting in the siding, which met 4(yes 4) eastbounds. 1st was a MEPHN, 2nd-ILAG2(one of those K-Line trains that should routed on the BNSF) HEADS UP( 4 units, SD70M,ex-SP C44-9W, UP C44-9W, and a UP C40-8. 3rd-APXKS, and the last was a empty grain. The GSR is CTC from Herington to Topeka, always has been-it also used to be double track(how many knew that?) But SP took out the double and left long sidings- they run about 12,00-15,000 ft long. And as I said before, it is CTC from Stratford-Dalhart. No I didn't see the EB NS. I don't get to see them all. Sometimes, you can see a train with pure NS, or pure CSX, seen one through here one time, a stacker, with 4 SD70MAC's, talk about sweet. They have finally got all the rock leveled off and taken care of, so they have raised the speed through town here at 40mph for now. Here at the Main St. crossing, the tracks start down the Cimarron River Valley. The grade is only .8%, the grade starts and ends on the east end of the bridge, (SAMPSON OF THE CIMARRON)-check that issue on the GSR for a couple of details. Both direction off the bridge is .8%, so when you have a 25 mph restrication, you can't get a good run at it. When they would bring them up the hill, they would really fight to bring it up. Good show for the engine lovers. Sorry I wrote so much. Anything else, ask me and I will try my best.

laters, Dru

[spbed]

Actually the UPRR trains destined to or from Chicago via Ft. Madison enter or depart the BNSF at Hutchinson KS. Are you east or west of there? I found the Trains magazine article as I cataloging my Train magazine collection. It was in 2001 if you want a copy Email where to send it to [e-mail] [8D][8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan

howdy yall, you can count on about 20 hrs or so to Ft. Madison from here. There is 2 locals out of Liberal. One to Pratt and one to Dalhart. 7 miles east of here in Plains, there originate grain trains, they usually run around 100 cars long, and most of the time they run with 3 AC4400's up front, but I do get lucky sometimes and they are operating in DPU mode. No they have not run the CTC yet, the sidings are dispatcher controlled yet they are considered manual interlockings, in TWC ABS territory. The home signals for every siding is directly related to which indication in on the siding signal, which I know yall know that. Ponder something with me, there are 4 signals between each siding, But the ones on before the siding is the home. So there are only 2 signals which are not controlled by the dispatcher whould you not run CTC, they sidings are wired for CTC, but there are not considered it???? They are all screwed up in which way they want to run it. I was down at the tracks today with my 1 yr old, and he got his fix, and it pretty much did me the same. Had a grain train sitting in the siding, which met 4(yes 4) eastbounds. 1st was a MEPHN, 2nd-ILAG2(one of those K-Line trains that should routed on the BNSF) HEADS UP( 4 units, SD70M,ex-SP C44-9W, UP C44-9W, and a UP C40-8. 3rd-APXKS, and the last was a empty grain. The GSR is CTC from Herington to Topeka, always has been-it also used to be double track(how many knew that?) But SP took out the double and left long sidings- they run about 12,00-15,000 ft long. And as I said before, it is CTC from Stratford-Dalhart. No I didn't see the EB NS. I don't get to see them all. Sometimes, you can see a train with pure NS, or pure CSX, seen one through here one time, a stacker, with 4 SD70MAC's, talk about sweet. They have finally got all the rock leveled off and taken care of, so they have raised the speed through town here at 40mph for now. Here at the Main St. crossing, the tracks start down the Cimarron River Valley. The grade is only .8%, the grade starts and ends on the east end of the bridge, (SAMPSON OF THE CIMARRON)-check that issue on the GSR for a couple of details. Both direction off the bridge is .8%, so when you have a 25 mph restrication, you can't get a good run at it. When they would bring them up the hill, they would really fight to bring it up. Good show for the engine lovers. Sorry I wrote so much. Anything else, ask me and I will try my best.

laters, Dru

[spbed]

To what city is that 20 hours to? Wow almost one day to get to you from FM. How the heck did they ever run the bullet train if it takes almost one day to go from Eastern Iowa to where ever you are west of Ft. Madison ?[:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan

howdy yall, you can count on about 20 hrs or so to Ft. Madison from here. There is 2 locals out of Liberal. One to Pratt and one to Dalhart. 7 miles east of here in Plains, there originate grain trains, they usually run around 100 cars long, and most of the time they run with 3 AC4400's up front, but I do get lucky sometimes and they are operating in DPU mode. No they have not run the CTC yet, the sidings are dispatcher controlled yet they are considered manual interlockings, in TWC ABS territory. The home signals for every siding is directly related to which indication in on the siding signal, which I know yall know that. Ponder something with me, there are 4 signals between each siding, But the ones on before the siding is the home. So there are only 2 signals which are not controlled by the dispatcher whould you not run CTC, they sidings are wired for CTC, but there are not considered it???? They are all screwed up in which way they want to run it. I was down at the tracks today with my 1 yr old, and he got his fix, and it pretty much did me the same. Had a grain train sitting in the siding, which met 4(yes 4) eastbounds. 1st was a MEPHN, 2nd-ILAG2(one of those K-Line trains that should routed on the BNSF) HEADS UP( 4 units, SD70M,ex-SP C44-9W, UP C44-9W, and a UP C40-8. 3rd-APXKS, and the last was a empty grain. The GSR is CTC from Herington to Topeka, always has been-it also used to be double track(how many knew that?) But SP took out the double and left long sidings- they run about 12,00-15,000 ft long. And as I said before, it is CTC from Stratford-Dalhart. No I didn't see the EB NS. I don't get to see them all. Sometimes, you can see a train with pure NS, or pure CSX, seen one through here one time, a stacker, with 4 SD70MAC's, talk about sweet. They have finally got all the rock leveled off and taken care of, so they have raised the speed through town here at 40mph for now. Here at the Main St. crossing, the tracks start down the Cimarron River Valley. The grade is only .8%, the grade starts and ends on the east end of the bridge, (SAMPSON OF THE CIMARRON)-check that issue on the GSR for a couple of details. Both direction off the bridge is .8%, so when you have a 25 mph restrication, you can't get a good run at it. When they would bring them up the hill, they would really fight to bring it up. Good show for the engine lovers. Sorry I wrote so much. Anything else, ask me and I will try my best.

laters, Dru

[spbed]

Right now on the Ft. Madison cam there is a UPRR EB stacker with a 3 loco set lead #9296 sytopped because the bridge is open. [:o)][:D][:)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by favuprailroadfan

howdy yall, you can count on about 20 hrs or so to Ft. Madison from here. There is 2 locals out of Liberal. One to Pratt and one to Dalhart. 7 miles east of here in Plains, there originate grain trains, they usually run around 100 cars long, and most of the time they run with 3 AC4400's up front, but I do get lucky sometimes and they are operating in DPU mode. No they have not run the CTC yet, the sidings are dispatcher controlled yet they are considered manual interlockings, in TWC ABS territory. The home signals for every siding is directly related to which indication in on the siding signal, which I know yall know that. Ponder something with me, there are 4 signals between each siding, But the ones on before the siding is the home. So there are only 2 signals which are not controlled by the dispatcher whould you not run CTC, they sidings are wired for CTC, but there are not considered it???? They are all screwed up in which way they want to run it. I was down at the tracks today with my 1 yr old, and he got his fix, and it pretty much did me the same. Had a grain train sitting in the siding, which met 4(yes 4) eastbounds. 1st was a MEPHN, 2nd-ILAG2(one of those K-Line trains that should routed on the BNSF) HEADS UP( 4 units, SD70M,ex-SP C44-9W, UP C44-9W, and a UP C40-8. 3rd-APXKS, and the last was a empty grain. The GSR is CTC from Herington to Topeka, always has been-it also used to be double track(how many knew that?) But SP took out the double and left long sidings- they run about 12,00-15,000 ft long. And as I said before, it is CTC from Stratford-Dalhart. No I didn't see the EB NS. I don't get to see them all. Sometimes, you can see a train with pure NS, or pure CSX, seen one through here one time, a stacker, with 4 SD70MAC's, talk about sweet. They have finally got all the rock leveled off and taken care of, so they have raised the speed through town here at 40mph for now. Here at the Main St. crossing, the tracks start down the Cimarron River Valley. The grade is only .8%, the grade starts and ends on the east end of the bridge, (SAMPSON OF THE CIMARRON)-check that issue on the GSR for a couple of details. Both direction off the bridge is .8%, so when you have a 25 mph restrication, you can't get a good run at it. When they would bring them up the hill, they would really fight to bring it up. Good show for the engine lovers. Sorry I wrote so much. Anything else, ask me and I will try my best.

laters, Dru

[dehusman]

Do you guys have to quote a page long previous post to add one line of information? Just post the comment.

Dave H.

[spbed]

Heads up alert a WB stacker just went past the cam being pulled only by 2 NS black locos. It went by @ 0940 FM time [:o)][:o)][:o)]

Originally posted by favuprailroadfan

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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