Just read the TRAINS newswire story about BNSF closing it’s C&I route from Chicago to Minneapolis due to a washout and derailment of a coal train up in Wiconsin…WOW, that’s really going to back up traffic for a while. I’m sure BNSF will reroute many of thier hottest trains in the interim…anybody know the potential rerouting? My guess is they will need to use UP/CP or CN for a while as the site of the washout is too far north for anything else BNSF has to work with itself. Thanks.
Dubuque received over 13 inches of rain Wednesday night/Thursday morning. This doesnt surprize me.
I read Fred Frailey’s column in the Sept Trains about how BNSF rerouted their operations due to the spring melting and flooding. His comment was that BSNF used corporate jets to expedite crews due to unusual routings.
With the anti corporate jet attitude coming out of Washington, this will be interesting to see how BNSF handles the expediting of crews. The railroads cannot afford to be added to the list of problems our country faces.
Ed
Many times BNSF trains will detour from La Crosse, WI to Savanna, IL via the CP(ex-MILW) line on the west side of the Mississippi. But if Dubuque is out of commission, that may not be possible. A UP routing or CP routing across Wisconsin via MILW may be possible.
Just where is this washout/derailment?
Jim
One of local TV news reports yesterday about Dubuque’s flooding showed a small washout. I wasn’t really paying attention (until that part came on) so I don’t know whose tracks they were. Could;ve been either CN or DM&E.
Jeff
The washout/derailment was at Blanding, Illinois, about 20 miles upstream from Savanna. It’s BNSF’s own trackage. It may not be the only washout; I saw pictures of a washout involving both main tracks but no evidence of a derailment (cars, piles of coal, etc.). There are reports of another washout damaging yard tracks in Savanna.
CP just took it in the teeth at Savanna (Levee Failure) , per LARamsGuy.
According to several sources CP has run at least two rerouted trains from BNSF with between 6 and 8 more planned through Sunday…depending on the source.
I wonder how much this has affected traffic thru Rochelle, IL? A lot would be my guess. - allen
That’s what I heard, in connection with the yard trackage there. That was quite a storm…we had some amazing cloud formations and squall lines visible, but the worst of it passed to the north of us (not without flashing and booming plenty).
BNSF could also detour on CN using the former IC Iowa Division. That’s not a very busy line.
Currently BNSF is rerouting some traffic to the coast via the Ottumwa Sub then out via Nebraska and Wyoming to Billings, MT. This includes priority intermodal and freight trains- this is the same route used to get trains around the flooding in North Dakota some weeks back.
BNSF is also detouring via the CP from St. Paul to Chicago- averaging 2-4 a day as CP can handle. They are also reported to be running at least 1 pair a day via the CN Minneapolis-Chicago via Stevens Point.
The detours are expected to continue until at least Monday- lower priority trains are being held at intermediate terminals until the line is reopened.
CN’s Iowa Division is also washed out between Dubuque and Dyersville. The CP/ICE River Sub. is also washed out in multiple places near Dubuque.
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Jo Daviess County, IL |
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FLASH FLOOD |
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Reported by Public on 07/28/2011 at 1205 AM |
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Bnsf coal train derailment near mile post 160 due to track washout. |
For those waiting for the C&I route to reopen. Get ready. Friend of mine said there is an estimate of 1700 tonite (Monday). 105 trains being held at various places. I sure with this was my week of vacation.
I went out there yesterday for a look and could not believe all the dump trucks and dump trailer rigs on Highway 20 and 84. Not to mention all the damage to fields and roads in that area.
The derailment happened just south of MP 163 at Blanding. I too read 160 and when I was driving down Blanding Road I happened on the site at 163.
The big washouts (three or four) took place roughly between 169 and 168.5 along River Road. There was some track still in the air at 168.6 as of yesterday afternoon. It was pretty incredible the amount of dump trucks there laden with rip rap and gravel not to mention the armada of equipment Hulcher had there. There was also a Herzog ballast train dumping rock near Murphy at East DBQ.
Several dump trucks were also making their way to Savanna as they were finishing up work on several small washouts there between the ICE diamond and the yard.
it’d be weird to see a BNSF Intermodal on the C&M Sub (if that’s the route they’re taking)
The flooding in that area this summer has been bad, wounder when that line will re-open and most importantly how much damage did this do to BNSF’s operations?
I thought the route was open but last night (8-3-11) a southbound detour train was ordered at 2115 at Stevens Point