http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/NEWS/80215033
http://www.whotv.com/global/story.asp?s=7879982
Location:
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=41.589918&lon=-93.581224&z=18.5&r=0&src=ggl
This is the same place where that cop got stuck on the tracks:
http://videos.wobbit.com/funny~video-stupid-cop-gets-caught-on-train-tracks~g-12588.html
Some roadmaster is hoping the crossing frog wasn’t damaged and has to be replaced. (or one direction accross the diamonds won’t be happening for several weeks and the operating guys will have to find some other way through Des Moines.)
UP has a few of these–there have been two at Momence, Illinois, that I can think of.
This, however, is not an automotic interlocking–it’s controlled by a UP dispatcher, so I’m pretty sure it will be easy to determine who was at fault. Just because the UP train hit the IAIS doesn’t mean that IAIS had the right-of-way. (By the way, even though this is the ex-RI east-west main line being used by IAIS, this track is also owned by UP through much of Des Moines.)
The CNW used to own just everything ex-RI in Des Moines (and all the way to West Des Moines.) However, most of the IAIS main line was later sold to the IAIS, which resulted in smoother operations. Now, UP owns the IAIS line along UP’s Short Line Yard, and the junction itself (as well as Short Line Yard and the Spine Line itself.)
I didn’t know it wasn’t an automatic interlocking. It will be interesting to see what happened.
Looking at the FlashEarth view, I am amazed that is looks like at one time there was a connection on each quadrant of the intersection…from my experience that is a very, very rare occurrence.
Considering that both lines were owned historically by the same railroad (RI) and had reasonably large end-points, it was certainly understandable, if no less rare. I don’t know whether CGW did the same thing in Oelwein, but that would have been another location where a case could be made for all four connections.
And when the CNW bought or received the ex-RI spine line, they built a network of tracks at Nevada to connect the two grade-separated lines that accomplished the same purpose–you can go from anywhere to anywhere there.
The UP still retains ownership out to West Des Moines. The dispatching and maintenance west of East 18th street (first crossing west of the diamond) has become the responsibility of IAIS over the years. The east-west main over the diamond is also the switching lead for the west end of Short Line yard. The main track is all yard limits on both the UP and IAIS dispatched portions out to West Des Moines. West end yard crews will get a set of IAIS track bulletins and the UP yardmaster will typically talk to the IAIS dispatcher about IAIS trains and relay to the yard crew how long they have permission on the “Interstate.” This way, the yard crew dosen’t have to get permission every time a move will extend west past E18th street.
The control point for the crossing itself also includes the switch to the north of the diamond, about half way between the 2 streets to the north. That track is the one that curves into the yard. The absolute signal for southward trains is by the switch and not the diamond. The best signal a train on the north-south line can get is clear (green on top) and the best trains on the east-west can get is a Restricting, and unless it’s been changed, that is using a lunar aspect.
Jeff
bonus question for diesel spotters much better than I…
What kind of locomotives are in the Flash Earth image?
Diesel electric.
Heck, even I knew that…I was hoping for more information, like Republican or Democrat…[:-^]
LOL I had to be a sass.
They seem (to me anyway) like GP38/40ish. If I get any closer the grain gets worse.
From the 38 family: two exhaust stacks, two radiator fans. One dynamic brake fan, so four axles. I’d bet on GP38-2s.
I’ll yield to someone much wiser about these things!
Doesn’t always work–we have an “SD38-2” in our yard with three radiator fans. Not hard to figure where it came from, though.
WSOR? [:D]
Isn’t this the same place that has a YouTube video where UP/BNSF ‘locals’ met and honked at each other? Or am I in left field again…
Nah, that was in Kansas.
i dunno about that. i’ve seen GP38-2s in Altoona with 3 fans. rrpa claims they hail from a rebuilt family of UP’s
Heck, I’m sure they do come in both configurations Max. How many incarnations of SD40-2s are there?
None of the news stories (above) have followed up yet. At least from what I’ve found.
Did you see the tamper and the tie puller on the Flashmap?
The two on the diamond are GP38s, two exhaust fans and on dynamic brake fan with two exhuast ports. Judging by the fact they have air filter boxes and extended range dynamics, most likely GP38-2’s. The four on the wye are definently SD40-2’s.
P.S. two G.E’s, two GP38’s and an SD40-2 without dynamic’s (MP?) and another SD40 (-2?) in the engine facility. And a whole gaggle of SD40’s on the ready track.
Where’s my big cookie and Bozo Button
?
Anyone check out the video with the cop on the tracks? Three heart attacks in one day.