New rail for the Overland Route.

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

The other day when I was in Sterling, Illinois I noticed two new continuous welded rails sitting next to track 1 on the UP Main. They continued west out of town thru the little village of Agnew, and today when I was in Morrison Illinois I saw them going thru there also.

This looks like it would be a big job to replace both rails on a main line. Does anyone know when they plan on installing the new track? And how many miles they are replacing?

Is there a special machine that is used to do this job? (Pictures Please)

Later,

Bill

2

Interesting… two weeks ago, when I drove over to catch the Trains magazine folks at Rochelle, I saw a MOW consist hauling a whole bunch of welded rail leaving Clinton, and caught it again headed east near Dixon. I figured we’d see it at Rochelle, but it never showed up there- now I know why.

3

I think one of the tracks through there is scheduled to be rebuilt this fall, with concrete ties. I suspect that’s when the new rail will be put in.

Special machines? Oh, yeah!