How many RRs have built trenches ala the UP (ex-SP) trench going through the inner suburbs of LA, or the one that was built through the downtown of Reno after the UP took over the line? This may seem like a naive question, but isn't it quite easy for rainwater or other things to build up there? What are the acknowledged advantages and disadvantages of building trenches? Would running a trench, for example, be as risky as having a busy mainline running at street-level (I'm talking about something like Stockton, CA, where the RR actually runs on the street, I believe, as well as not having its own trench?) One that would come to my mind is that it would be quite difficult for RR personnel to get emergency equipment into/out of said trench if a derailment or accident happened in one. Although I don't know for sure, my hunch is that not too many have been built, b/c I haven't read or seen about too many around the US.....
Riprap
riprap wrote:How many RRs have built trenches ala the UP (ex-SP) trench going through the inner suburbs of LA, or the one that was built through the downtown of Reno after the UP took over the line? This may seem like a naive question, but isn't it quite easy for rainwater or other things to build up there? What are the acknowledged advantages and disadvantages of building trenches? Would running a trench, for example, be as risky as having a busy mainline running at street-level (I'm talking about something like Stockton, CA, where the RR actually runs on the street, I believe, as well as not having its own trench?) One that would come to my mind is that it would be quite difficult for RR personnel to get emergency equipment into/out of said trench if a derailment or accident happened in one. Although I don't know for sure, my hunch is that not too many have been built, b/c I haven't read or seen about too many around the US..... Riprap
Thanks for the detailed answer (as per usual), Mr. Hadid. Actually, speaking for the West Coast, I can't think of any major city where the RR has decided to build a "trench", except for LA, the one I mentioned. Are you more familiar with the cities than I am? Also, since you admitted that these trenches have high maintenance costs and very few advantages, it would seem strange if more than a few of them were built, wouldn't it? Wouldn't it be easier to elevate the entire ROW, and wouldn't that also decrease the maintenance costs? Wouldn't RR overpasses be easier and more cost-effective than a trench?
riprap wrote:Thanks for the detailed answer (as per usual), Mr. Hadid. Actually, speaking for the West Coast, I can't think of any major city where the RR has decided to build a "trench", except for LA, the one I mentioned. Are you more familiar with the cities than I am? Also, since you admitted that these trenches have high maintenance costs and very few advantages, it would seem strange if more than a few of them were built, wouldn't it? Wouldn't it be easier to elevate the entire ROW, and wouldn't that also decrease the maintenance costs? Wouldn't RR overpasses be easier and more cost-effective than a trench? Riprap
Quentin
"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)
JSGreen wrote:Are trenches better, in an engineering sence, to elevated grade seperation in earthquake prone areas?
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