Where is the Omaha Posse?

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BNSF is also detouring over the UP across Iowa to Council Bluffs/Omaha. Friday, both east and west Zephyrs are on the UP crew line up. The FRA has issued an emergency waiver that allows engines that are not equipped with cab signals to lead in cab signal territory. That allows foreign line power to lead on the UP in cab signal territory. I saw one westbound BNSF hopper in western Iowa with a BNSF leader.

Up to now, It's been required to have a cab signal equipped engine in the lead, even if PTC is being used in place of the cab signals. Without the waiver, if the PTC should fail in route, the cab signals would be turned on.
 
A little bit the locos in Council Bluffs.
 

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Some shots from Council Bluffs yesterday. Caught a couple coming off the 12th St line, a detouring BNSF, and some O.N.E. containers with a running power container and the requisite extension cords strung to the refrigerator units on adjacent cars. Also caught the current UP 8444. the number the famed steamer wore when a GP 30 stole its 844 identity.
 

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Looks like the BNSF is running Oreapolis to Ashland again. It'll be a while before they go north into Omaha, I think. Not sure which way Amtrak is running. Saw these three over in Council Bluffs. All three with 3 digit numbers. Very unusual. Actually there is 4. 2 IAIS, 2 BNSF.
 

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A Washington state birder asked if the flooding in Nebraska has affected the legendary Sandhill Crane migration. I know there are some nature photographers among the Omaha Posse. If anyone has an answer/guess/opinion, let me know (a PM will do) and I'll pass it on.

Hi Bill,

The Omaha World Herald reports today, March 30, that record numbers of cranes are roosting along the Platte this year.
This is the 7th week of the migration and so far it is a record breaking 659,870 birds. The number doubled since last week.
 
A rip-rap causeway has been built from the north shore of the river and equipment has been placed to facilitate repairs to the damaged structures.
All control cabins in the flood area have now been elevated, re-wiring is in progress.
 

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A few shots from this afternoon. Looks like the old span is being cut up.
 

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Some I liked from yesterday. It was misty and gray but the trains still ran. The WB UP train came through the south yard and onto the UP. Probably from the Bunge facility south of Council Bluffs on the BNSF. Not sure if the trains can get through Pacific Jct from the north yet. I know people can't go into P Jct yet. It met the BNSF train at Omaha. BNSF train had covered hoppers which usually go to Bayard on the old MILW.
 

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Some I liked from yesterday. It was misty and gray but the trains still ran. The WB UP train came through the south yard and onto the UP. Probably from the Bunge facility south of Council Bluffs on the BNSF. Not sure if the trains can get through Pacific Jct from the north yet. I know people can't go into P Jct yet. It met the BNSF train at Omaha. BNSF train had covered hoppers which usually go to Bayard on the old MILW.
Can you still Photograph down by Amtrak?
 
Kind of. They built an enclosed parking lot in the gravel area we used to park in. If you park around the pizza/bakery you can walk close, but even the Amtrak platform is watched and they will ask you nicely not to go on the platform. I think you can park along the east side of the Amtrak lot and take an image, as long as you don't stay long.
 
Kind of. They built an enclosed parking lot in the gravel area we used to park in. If you park around the pizza/bakery you can walk close, but even the Amtrak platform is watched and they will ask you nicely not to go on the platform. I think you can park along the east side of the Amtrak lot and take an image, as long as you don't stay long.
Not shocked at all. Ever since KETV bought the old Burlington everything changed. Even I can understand Amtrak's reason for installing the fence. Can't blame them.
 
IAIS active yesterday. 601 drug a string of tanks cars from the south end. First time I had see a train on the new track to west. The tracks are roughly along the old Wabash and curve around to the old Milw. The last view is of the 601 across 16 Ave on the old Milw now BNSF/IAIS. In the first view the Wabash bridge over Mosquito Creek is in the foreground.
 

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