Is the BNSF installing Double Track at Oreapolis?
Allan.
bnsf is putting in double tracks from cullom to ashland. How long it will take is unknown. But for now they are extending cullom out to hold 3 trains for the first phase. They took samples of rock out of the bluff by Louisville and I think they will get started on phase 2 this spring or summer. The third phase will go from Louisville siding to South Bend siding. Now the particulars of the last phase are sketchy, I have heard they are only going to the I-80 overpass and I have heard they will go all the way to Ashland. But the last time I ran a train by Cullom they are about getting done on the first phase.
I grew up chasing trains in Lincoln and Omaha. And as I remember the BN was double track all the way from Lincoln throught Ashland. And going over the Platte River on I-80 it appeared it was still double track going through there. And my uncle often showed us his Beta Video of Amtrak crossing the MO down river from Omaha on the BN and it was double track in that too…
No, no. It’s single track across the Missouri. Double track doesn’t start until Glenwood, Iowa, I believe. It’s a great line to photograph out around Red Oak.
The Double Track begins just East of the Balfour Crossovers over the top of the Hill about a Mile to the East of the Crossovers. The Double Track ends at Pacific Jct right on the West end of the yard.
Could someone provide me with where I could find a map of some of these spots? I do quite a bit of railfanning around Ashland and Louisville, but I’m not sure where Cullom and South Bend are. Also, could you explain when and where each phase is going to occur. I’m interested to check things out and see what’s happening.
Thanks
I need help, too. Exactly where is Oreopolis? Is this the place a few miles west of Plattsmouth, NE where the Amtrak CZ, when westbound, leaves the mainline and heads north to cross the Platte river and get into Omaha? Also, when the CZ leaves Omaha and continues west, what is the name of the junction where it rejoins the mainline to continue it’s trip to Lincoln and points west. Exactly where is this? I’ve ridden the CZ several times, but since the westbound train goes thru this area around midnight, it’s impossible to pick out any signs or other landmarks to determine where I am. The eastbound is somewhat better, depending on the time of year. It is 5 to 6 AM if the train is on schedule, which it is usually not! 
William6 and Willy2. Go and get on http://www.Terraserver.microsoft.com and do a search. Oreapolis is two miles Northwest of Plattsmouth. It’s where the UP’s Falls City line from Omaha crosses the BNSF at a Diomond. Louisville,South bend,Cullom are all in between towns right on the BNSF’s Creston line.
Willy - if you find Oreopolis - look for Mookie tracks. Thanks to Allan, we managed to find it. But it is definitely off the beaten path, so think down and under.
Mook
It can be very hard to find at time. Especialy with all the hills covering up most of the line. You can only reach 20% of the line half the time. But access is very hard without a county road.
Willy
This is BNSF’s PDF map of the Nebraska Division. You can blow it up and scroll around.
http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/div_ne.pdf
http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/?menu=5&submenu=0
Yes
It seems to be just Ashland.
Thanks. Maybe this weekend I can get my mom or dad to drive around a bit and try to find Oreapolis.
These may help you-
Pacific Jct Iowa
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=12&Z=15&X=330&Y=5680&W
Bridge at Plattsmouth
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=12&Z=15&X=323&Y=5678&W
Oreapolis and BNSF Omaha sub bridge (right) and UP Falls City sub bridge (left) http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=12&Z=15&X=317&Y=5685&W
Ashland. The Creston sub joins the Omaha sub and then the Sioux City sub goes straight north.
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=13&Z=14&X=451&Y=2841&W
Well BNSF has changed their minds again. Starting on Monday March 13 they will start doing dirt work from Ashland to South Bend for the next phase. The Cullom extension is complete now. BNSF has decided to put on hold for now going from mp 18.9 “new west Cullom” to Louiville, and has put on hold going from Oreapolis to East Cullom. BNSF got their 5.5 million dollar parking lot complete this past week, and right off the bat they parked 3 dead trains there, Going from Ashland to South Bend is supposed to take until October or later to complete. They are going to have to dynamite the bluff out. Then they will have more room to park trains on the Creston sub. I can’t wait to park my train there and run off my hours of service there.
That will give you a chance to sleep on the job then,[:D].
Allan.
Now I would’t do that.[:D]
I swear…I won’t say nothing[}:)].
Allan.