Looks like they’re making tweaks to rail lengths…
My guess is that they’re holding trains (which they might do anyway, on account of the holiday). They’ll be done by morning.
Welding now; looks like they’ll be all done before morning. Amazing process. I’m off to bed (Eastern time here). /Mr Lynn
That hi-rail truck backing on to the new diamonds would be the first use at 2247 CDT.
Bruce
From what I’ve heard on the scanner they have tied down some trains at various locations; the latest was a westbound BNSF at CP Lease (South Rochelle)
The front loaders seem to drive over the rails with impunity. Don’t they worry about knocking them out of gauge? I seem to remember reading that even ordinary trucks have caused derailments after driving over tracks away from grade crossings and knocking the rails out of gauge.
That would be expired now.
Anyone hear what the new window is?
Bruce
Nope, but it’s still “open” at quarter to two, with a tamper going across the diamonds on the south UP track very deliberately, muck slower than they usually do on regular track. Many more probes with the “fingers” at each stop of the tamper.
It will be interesting to see how stack trains come through the crossing on UP in a week or two, seeing whether we are looking at the rock and roll hall of fame still.
This has been quite the show today and I think a lot of us have enjoyed it.
Nice lights, too.
Thanks, I was wondering what that thing did.
Bruce
BTW, I have just passed the twelve hour mark watching the webcam.
I don’t understand some of what is going on, but here I am.
Bruce
0515 EDT, they’re firing off thermite pots one after another.
I checked out of the railfan track authority at 11:15, now checked back in. (Who needs 8 hours of sleep anyway?)
Really,
Some coffee and painkillers and I’m good to go!
Bruce
"DAY-O . . .day-o
Daylight come and me want to go home."
Oh wait?!? . . . oh well.
Bruce
Well, I think that is enough for now.
Talk to you folks later.
Bruce
There’s westbound UP Z train holding about 12 miles to the east, and I just heard east and westbound UP trains hit detectors about 20 and 30 miles away. Looks like they are expecting at least one track to open any time (from the looks of it #2 track)
Looks like all the equipment is clear of the UP tracks and final ROW walks are happening.
Just heard a horn
UP dispatcher is issuing spreed restrictions for #2 track - 15 mph. Diamond to reopen at 8:00
Been following myself, quit about O dark hundren, was back on about’s 5am. Got pictures using the snipping tool, will post here shortly.
So, do the two roads just park trains or are they re routed for this operation?
took 11 photos of the diamond replacement and here is the first link, I’m trying to see if your able to back trace through the photo’s or will I need to link each photo…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15158681@N00/34177856833/in/dateposted-public/