I’ve noticed in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3x1J-1S2kg and other videos by other people that Train Traffic on the CSX Main is high but I’ve noticed within the past month the Speed of the Eeastbound Trains has been around 20 to 25 MPH. I do now in that video above there were MOW Crews so I’m not really counting that day, but is the slow speeds caused by the Construction on the Front St. Bridge for people’s safety?
Also, I see Railfans on the Bridge in the beginning of the video, is this allowed or no?
Track work east of Berea is the reason for the slow speeds. As to the bridge construction it does slow them on ocassion but not often. When this occurs a CSX foreman is in the area parked on the east end of the restaurant parking lot, you can listen for him on your scanner.
Take your chances on the bridge, but remember any public roadway construction prohibits trespassing and can get you into trouble. Asking for permission is always best, for yourself and other railfans.
I was at Berea yesterday (11/21) and caught a decent amount of railroad action.
To answer your questions:
The trains are going slow, because they’re on track one, and not two, like normal, which is currently restricted to 25 MPH between QD 18.0 and 20.0 for construction on the Eastland Rd underpass, and Holland, Engle and Hummel Rd crossings (rail replacements). If track one wasn’t under speed restriction, trains would operate at around 40 MPH. However - on Sunday (11/22), eastbounds were operating on track two like normal, at track speed (construction/MOW crews have Sunday off apparently).
No, you are not allowed on the new bridge over CSX, but I went up anyways. I caught Q108 and Q110 from up top, and the local law enforcement just said “as long as I am careful, they don’t mind.” However, the trouble-inducing skateboarders that were on the bridge with me, received a harsher ‘tongue - lashing’ from the cop. My photos from the bridge can be seen at http://unicapital.rrpicturearchives.net/ and my videos from the bridge can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/csxno601.
Q151, considering it was on track two in the photo you provided, was probably running at around 40 to 50 MPH. He was probably going slower than 60 (intermodal train speeds) because he was quickly approaching CP 13, where he would cross back over to his appropriate main, on the other side of Abbeyshire Curve.
Well I saw your new video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hACpGOJRbpI This is the best one yet at Berea. I only have one question to ask, at the scene in your video from 2:22 to 2:27, Are they doing that for replacing the bridge or is it going to be the same thing like Bagley Road Underpass? BTW, I see your standing in the spot I railfan most of the time when I come to Berea at the scene 4:0
Thanks again, for your continued positive feedback on my videos! Keep watching!
At the clip from 2:22 to 2:27, I am assuming you are referring to the “shoe fly” turn being built to the right of the mainline? I noticed that too, and in fact, wanted to shoot a westbound from the overpass with that being my prime photo prop.
Trains will temporarily take that routing while they replace the bridge over Eastland Road. After this bridge is replaced, the trains will return to their former alignment.
There is a similar set-up at the Columbia Road grade crossing south of Olmsted Falls (Westview), right now. They are routing the trains onto a shoe-fly, while they convert the crossing into an underpass. These two projects will be done within a year, I’d hope.
Yes, that is what I’m talking about. When this bridge does open up, there will be a flood of Railfans that will go up and Railfan from there. I’m sure glad you took video from there. Now most people know what it looks like from a different angle instead of always the rest. Like you say, “The Ever Changing Berea”, LOL. Sometime maybe next year during the Summer when I get my Drivers Liscense, I could come up and Railfan with you sometime. But, that’s next year and this year isn’t even done yet. Keep up with the great videos.
Thank you! I wouldn’t mind meeting you someday; It’s always nice to meet new railfans!
Also, as for the bridge at Berea, due to the potential swamp of railfans that will be shooting from there once construction is complete, that is why I went up on Saturday, to be “one of the first”, and to avoid the “crowd”, and go up there in the harmony prior to the future road traffic (which will be loud and obnoxious in the video).