Delta Yard Construction Update 6/17/09

[Iron Bender]

I just cannot envision the tree huggers allowing a new coal fired electrical generation plant to be constructed at Cherry Point or anywhere else in this state. Even a transloading facility where the coal just passes through is likely to face stiff opposition from enviromentalists.

And for the record, I'm all for being good stewards of the environment we have been blessed with and must exist in, but a lot of these groups/people just take things too far.

[Jon Bentz]

Took a few shots of Delta Jct last week. I got busy and forgot to post. The new track is in on the west leg of the wye - really tight radius. Anyone know what degree the curve is. Also, will there be a crossing where the turnout is?

1. Looking east toward the yard lead.

2. Looking west toward Long Siding.

3. Junction switches and signals.

4. Looking north toward Bridge 37.

[BNSFEng]

Originally Posted by Jon Bentz

Took a few shots of Delta Jct last week. I got busy and forgot to post. The new track is in on the west leg of the wye - really tight radius. Anyone know what degree the curve is. Also, will there be a crossing where the turnout is?

I don't know those answers but, they were going to cut in the new track this week then realized they hadn't engineered the signaling system to get into Delta yard from Bayside right so the engineers have to go back to their drawing boards.

Talk is to raise the speed on the low line, perhaps, up to 25 MPH mostly because of the increasing number of coal trains which will require signaling that section and making it at least ABS/Yard Limits. Also, no offical word on the major face lift on the Bellingham Sub. I was told to continue to watch BNSF News for an announcement...soon maybe??

The Stanwood Siding extention is starting to be worked now by the contractors to make the new subgrade. I'll head up there in a few weeks to get a few shots and report it on the Stanwood/MT Vernon siding thread. By the way, both the Mt Vernon siding extention and the Swift 2nd siding addition should be worked next year.

[Iron Bender]

Well they cut in the new West leg of Delta Jct yesterday. What a cluster$#@% that turned out to be. I can hardly wait to see what fun and games today holds.

[markgillings]

Originally Posted by Iron Bender

What a cluster$#@% that turned out to be.

I love it!! I can only imagine...

[ES44AC]

Indy needs to be there.

[BNSFEng]

Here's some pics from last week. I'm going to see what's happening today and tomorrow with a 36 hour window for construction.

1. According to my plans, the switch that is installed is removed and the new track will cross the old access to the bridge and connect to the new switch that is on the right. The old lead to the bridge appears to be replaced by the new concrete tied track to its right. Another switch needs to be installed from the switch that is deadended on the lead to the right to allow access from the yard to the bridge. The other leg of that switch will lead downward to the new arrival tracks.

2. New signal to the bridge and the temporary signal on the Bayside Class Lead on the right.

3. New signals on the north end of the Delta Wye.

4. The deadended old lead to the bridge which is to be removed.

1. 2. 3. 4.

[Jon Bentz]

So, will trains be using PA to get into and out of Delta?

[BNSFEng]

Originally Posted by Jon Bentz

So, will trains be using PA to get into and out of Delta?

Probably, for the next couple of days except the Rogers Main should be open so trains could back in at GN Jct from Canada, but I'm not sure.

[BNSFEng]

Originally Posted by Jon Bentz

So, will trains be using PA to get into and out of Delta?

Correction: The planned 36 hour window begins on Tuesday the 31st in the morning and goes to the evening of the 1st. The North end (railroad West for the Yard) of Delta will be out of service for access to Bayside till the evening of the 31st and for access to Bridge 37 until late on the 1st.