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BNSF opens new Missouri River bridge
Scott, the line not completely double tracked. In fact, both ends of this bridge go back to single track.
Does the Zephyr cross this bridge?? I thought it used the UP bridge in downtown Omaha.
The old main is now a 1.9 mile siding known as “River Siding”.
The new main is 2.3 miles in length. The new main and bridge handle all the heavy loads (Coal, Grain) and Amtrak. The new “River Siding” handles the westbound coal empties and light freights. In Coming years this portion of the Creston Sub
will eventually be double tracked from Pacific Junction, Iowa to Lincoln, NE. (Lincoln to South Bend, NE is already double track).
The old main is now a 1.9 mile siding known as “River Siding”.
The new main is 2.3 miles in length. The new main and bridge handle all the heavy loads (Coal, Grain) and Amtrak. The new “River Siding” handles the westbound coal empties and light freights. In Coming years this portion of the Creston Sub
will eventually be double tracked from Pacific Junction, Iowa to Lincoln, NE. (Lincoln to South Bend, NE is already double track).
The Zephyr doesn’t go thru Omaha, does it? I thought it went on the old CB&Q across southern Iowa and Nebraska to Denver.
Is this a double track line?
I find it aesthetically appeasing that the new bridge emulates the architecture of the old one. Cool, methinks! Nothing like the last iteration of Penn Station, in NY.
Charles-Amtrak uses (and has for quite awhile) the BNSF’s bridge.
Charles, Amtrak stopped using the UPRR Omaha bridge in the 80s when they started upping the charge for crossing and delaying the trains crossing. Plus, to get there they had to use the low speed BN Council Bluffs sub at 25 mph. Crossing at Plattsmouth an using the Onaha line allowed money and time savings. This is the same reasoning BNSF used in 2003 to reroute the “Bunge Job” serving the Bunge ethanol play on the CB sub. It originated at Gibson Yard in Omaha but now originates in Lincoln’s Hobson Yard. The extra diesel used is stil cheaper than the $6+ per car bridge fee and delays.
I rode the California Zephyr several years ago and (as I remember) it used the old bridge. In 1962, when I rode the Colorado zephyr, it used also used the old bridge as best I can recall, as well as all Burlington passenger train through Iowa and Nebraska. (There were a lot of them.)
I rode the California Zephyr several years ago and (as I remember) it used the old bridge. In 1962, when I rode the Colorado zephyr, it used also used the old bridge as best I can recall, as well as all Burlington passenger train through Iowa and Nebraska. (There were a lot of them.)
A salute to BNSF for quietly planning and implementing “infrastructure” projects which keep the American economy running efficiently. BNSF obviously felt that the investment in the new bridge met their economic criteria, and they went forward in a business-like manner to meet the need.
On Dec 3, I crossed the old bridge on Amtrak #6. There was a lot of MOW equipment on the new track. On the night of Dec 11, I crossed the new bridge on #5. Surprised to see it open. One huge accomplishment.
Thanks for the picture.