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Haven't visited here in a while, I've been busy with work in fact I just got back from another trip. I hadn't been out to the bridge project in a bit so last week while running a few errands I found myself in Plattsmouth and I decided to to do a drive by, unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. The new bridge looks incredible and looks done. I didn't see much if any construction equipment around. All that needs to be done now is start throwing down some sections of Atlas Flex track and call it a day. Does anyone know if and when this work will begin? Speaking of track work, I drove down to the main street crossing and saw what appeares to be utility marking flags up and down the main. I saw these same markings out in Ashland just prior to the track work beginning out there. Again does anyone have any intel on what BNSF's plans maybe?
Photos are here. 3 views of the new BNSF bridge over the Missouri at Plattsmouth NE. We are looking west toward the NE from the Iowa side. The train is taken out the window of the car and of course a car came up behind me so I couldn't slow down. I wanted to get some pics from the north side but the KING KORN KARNIVAL was going on in downtown Plattsmouth. Whole town was blocked off. Tom
How far does the double track extend on each side of the bridge? It sure is a big change from the original old, old bridge with its 10 mph curve on the Nebraska(?) side.
Also, the latest Nebraska Division Timetable (No 6 dated12/13/06) I have lists the speed limit from MP 3.5 to MP 4.5 (which is the locale of the bridge) as35 MPH for both Pax and Freight. Speed limits west of there to Lincoln vary between 40 and 50 MPH with a 25 MPH conditional train tonnage rating on the Louisville and South Bend sidings.
just a quick update, sorry if this is old news.... I was over in CB this morning and decided to take the long way home to Belleuve via I29 to to Route 34. While I was crossing the toll bridge I looked over and saw that track had been laid across the bridge and around the cut out, end was out sight around the curve. I was about 2/3rds across the bridge when I noticed, I didn't see how far track was laid on the IA side. Now a little intel from my neighbor who's a retired engineer from BNSF, he ran the daily Gibson to CB local, told me he heard from folks he still keeps in contact with this is only going to be a long siding. I'm like WTF? For now he said there is no intention to complete and more double tracking for now. I'm thinking as I'm sure you are as well they spent god knows how much to complete this project just for another siding? If I was a share holder I'd be pissed, you've over come the biggest obstacle to double tracking the sub from Southbend to P-Jct but now you're deciding the hell with it? I've heard the coal revenues are down, however you couldn't tell by that today, there were three eastbounds stacked between Oreapolis and Plattsmouth waiting on westbounds. Makes me wonder if our gov is actually running BNSF, I did stop by the Plattsmouth main street crossing and as I saw before there are a slew of utility marking flags around as if prepping for some sort of construction. Appreciate any other opinions
Yes coal traffic is down, but they have added many other freights and intermodals that use to run on the northern transcon so traffic is the same if not higher than it use to be. I heard they will be double tracking from Plattsmouth to Pacific Junction from an engineer that runs Creston-Lincoln at least 4 times a week. He said he could see BNSF taking the project one step at a time. My dream is that will one day eventually double track the whole subdivision.
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Does anyone know if and when this work will begin? Speaking of track work, I drove down to the main street crossing and saw what appeares to be utility marking flags up and down the main. I saw these same markings out in Ashland just prior to the track work beginning out there. Again does anyone have any intel on what BNSF's plans maybe?
