I was just wondering if when they went to sleep at the end of the day, do they continue to hear beep,beep,beep…
They have a lot of ear protection … negating the safety of the beeps … 
The old diamond has now disappeared from the picture while being dragged to the east on the UP main.
I wonder why it was removed intact. There is already one old diamond in the right of way weeds about a block east of the crossing. It seems to me that having two emergency spares is redundant, and it would have been more easily removed had it been cut into two or more pieces prior to moving it.
(Edit to add)
I took a closer look at the old one on Google. It’s a relic – lots of missing ties and at least one rail for the UP just isn’t there. I’m surprised it hasn’t been picked up for scrap.
The old one in the weeds is cut in half …
Caught a waver!!
The new diamonds are ready to drag in … Quite a hole they have dug …
It’s about eight o’clock; it looks like the umpires are going to have the “game lights” turned on soon. Interesting watching the two big front-loaders ferrying ballast from the pile to the crossings. Pretty well choreographed.
Shouldn’t this guy be working? [:D]
Documentarian!
How very high tone!
I thought he was just a patio superintendant.
Bruce
Most important part of the entire replacement is now taking place - rebuilding the sub-grade to support the diamonds. Without a good foundation diamonds will fail prematurely.
I remember reading somewhere that when they replaced the diamonds the last time they put asphalt in the bottom of the hole before adding ballast. I believe the reason cited was to control groundwater.
Quarter after nine, bright lights, smoothed surface and it appears that they are about the bring the new diamonds assembly to the crossing. Pretty cool.
EDIT: Now about 9:20 and the assembly on the move east. I kid you not, compared to choreographing this exercise, Bob Fosse was an amateur!
I’m beginning to think I prefer watching time lapse photography of diamond installations.
I’ll stick with it for a while yet.
Bruce
The new diamond is arriving as its crane slowly creeps along with it.
What we need is for the folks who make “Railroad Alaska” to do a show on the replacement. They could add the drama of an intermodal container full of baby formula that desperately needs to make it to Chicago before little Timmy wakes up in the morning…
Assistant Porch Supervisor?
Settle down and watch the film
This is actually getting good!
Bruce
Best night viewing - ever!
Does anyone know whether BNSF & UP are just holding trains until work is done or rerouting by an alternate route? BNSF via Galesburg and UP via CN (ex IC) or some other route?
Did someone say it doesn’t fit?