Reno's double track Corridor

I just got back from Lake Tahoe where I had a wonderful time playing on the lake. Sad for me, I didn’t make it down to Truckee like I planned for a little railfanning but had hoped to make up for it when on our last night we stayed down in Reno at the El Dorado overlooking the Union Pacific Corridor. At the counter I was greatly supprize when the lady behind the dest offered us a suite due to the over booking of the standard rooms. I ask for one overlooking the railroad tracks and my request was granted. The rest of my night was spent with my nose pressed against the glass of my amazing room on the 8th floor in hopes of a peek of at least one train. The night failed to bring me that train, as I laid my head down to rest in frustration. Our flight was an early one so I arose at 4:30 to get the bags packed and head out the door. While getting dressed I heard a rumble coming from the corridor. At least I was to see my train that I had longed for. Next thing I knew I was hearing the train but the visibility wasn’t there. The corridor was too deep to see a train form my window. Talk about fueling the fire of disappointment. I told my wife that next time we are up there I will not settle for a void in my quest of railfanning.

I looked at Reno on Google Earth yesterday and noticed that the corridor was not built yet. does anyone know much about it, when it was started and finished? Has it been worth the money and proved effected? While the corridor was being built where was the UP traffic relocated temporarily moved to? I truly think that the corridor is a fascinating piece of railroad engineering but not very photogenic.

Hey Zak,

The trench really was needed, especially on Virginia street where there is tons of foot traffic. The trains used to crawl through town and would shut down street traffic for many minuets. I’m not sure exactly when it was started but it was about 3 years ago. It was finnished about 6 months ago. The last time I was there I stayed in the hotel just west of the El Durado with a great view of the tracks. Of course the tracks were not in the trench so all traffic was useing a temporary track layed right in the streets and allys parralleling the trench to the south. It sure was strange seeing autoracks on unbalasted track in an ally barely wide enough for it.

Chad,

Did you get any pictures while you stayed there?

No, It was dark. That was when I flew down for an interview for this job I have now. I flew out before sunup and didn’t get back till after dark, It was January at the time.

excuses, excuses!

Ya man, what the hell? A true railfan would have had night vision