UP line thru Southern Illinois/Flooding?

[MP173]

There is a very interesting article on the web about a small town in Southern Illinois called Grand Tower, which is located north of Cape Girardeau and south of Chester, Il. Basically it appears the town is going to be destroyed by the flood - weak leavies and no FEMA flood insurance.

I grew up in Southern Illinois but never made it over to that area, was always intrigued, but not enough to invest a couple of days and a tank of $.60 gas so I dont know much about the area.

It appears the UP (ex MoPac/Cotton Belt line from St. Louis) is a couple of miles from the river, but would appear to be flooded if water was high enough.

A few questions regarding the line…

1. Does the majority of traffic on the line come from Chicago and Salem (off CSX)? or from East St. Louis. At one time there was considerable EStL traffic, but has that traffic flow changed?

2. Does the Chicago/Salem traffic come across to the line at Chester or Gorham?

3. Is the bridge at Thebes in danger?

thanks,

ed

[TRNBUF]

A few questions regarding the line…

1. Does the majority of traffic on the line come from Chicago and Salem (off CSX)? or from East St. Louis. At one time there was considerable EStL traffic, but has that traffic flow changed?

There is quite a few trains that come from the E St Louis area. Alot of coal trains go down that line UP Chester Sub.(mostly double track) and hook onto the UP Mt. Vernon Sub down at Gorham. From there they head towards Benton where they hook up to the UP Marion Sub., that will take them to Paducah. Now you do get other trains that run straight through on the Chester Sub.

2. Does the Chicago/Salem traffic come across to the line at Chester or Gorham?

Both, but majority come down the UP Mt Vernon Sub.(Salem-Gorham) and connects to the UP Chester Sub. at Gorham and head South. Now once in a while they will use the UP Pinckneyville Sub. (Mt. Vernon-Chester) to relieve traffic off the Mt. Vernon Sub. The traffic on this line has increased temedously. I could be wrong but sometimes I think the UP Mt. Vernon Sub is busier than the double track Chester Sub. Some people may disagree with me. They only run Southbounds on the Pinckneyville Sub.

3. Is the bridge at Thebes in danger?

That I wouldn’t think. If anything they may have to worry about Chester for flooding problems.

thanks,

ed

[MP173]

Mike:

I really appreciate your answers. Took a look at your photos…very good. Really sharp, well lit and composed.

A couple more questions…is the coal tower still at Centralia Yard (IC)? What kind of action is there on the ex B&O St. Louis - Cincinnati line thru Salem area? A couple of years ago there were some coal trains off of the UP. Still running?

I grew up near Olney and still get back there from time to time.

ed

[TRNBUF]

Mike:

I really appreciate your answers. Took a look at your photos…very good. Really sharp, well lit and composed.

Thank You Very Much!!!

A couple more questions…is the coal tower still at Centralia Yard (IC)?

Yes it is, plus there are some still standing in the Carbondale yard.

What kind of action is there on the ex B&O St. Louis - Cincinnati line thru Salem area? A couple of years ago there were some coal trains off of the UP. Still running?

Yes there is and UP still runs coal trains on that line. As for as traffic, it has been cut back a little, they have been putting more CSX trains on the old Conrail trackage through Greenville, Highland, etc. That goes from St. Louis to Indy.

I grew up near Olney and still get back there from time to time.

White Squirrel Country

ed

[MP173]

Thanks for the reminder (White Squirrels). The little critters are fading fast, but people still identify Olney with them.

ed

[inch53]

MIKE n ED

The St Louis-Indy line is slow too. We were getting 25 to 30 trains a day thru here, but traffic is way down now over all, including the UP drags to every other day [to n from, Newton Power plant on the INRD] along with locals [Terre Haute to Effingham are even fewer].

inch

[Ishmael]

Reporting from the Missouri side of the river, the ex-Frisco River Division, now BNSF, runs almost through my back yard in south St. Louis county. The tracks are rusty because there hasn’t been a train movement in over a week. I don’t know if anything is underwater or if they have a bridge problem. They cross a number of creeks, as well as the Meramec River.

They run a lot of coal down to the Rush Island power plant in Ste. Genevieve county, but there’s been no coal. They are very close to the river from Crystal City to Cape Girardeau, and they pass Chester and Grand Tower on our side of the river.

There’s been nothing on the TV news, naturally they’re concentrating upriver, so I’ll have to make a few phone calls and will try to let you know what’s up.