BNSF Southern Transcon Visit

[B_Kosanda]

I decided to head out to the BNSF Transcon in Missouri yesterday. It takes about 3 hours to get there, so I left home around 3:30 am and arrived in Bucklin, MO around 6:30, just prior to the sun coming up. With Egg McMuffin and coffee in hand all I had to do was wait for the trains to appear. Did they ever make a showing! I saw about 20 trains in 5 hours. The trains are moving at around 55 mph judging from the speed limit signs. It's hard to tell how exactly how fast they are moving, but when a train creates it's own dust storm, you know it's moving out quick. You learn to be prepared in advance.

#1 - The first train where there was sufficient light was this monster stack train at Bucklin. I never heard this guy coming until he was right up on me.

#2 - Same train passing under the classic signal bridge at Meadow Road in Bucklin, MO.

#3 - I then moved on to Anchor Road, where there is an old bridge over the tracks.

#4 - Here's a half-wing unit also at the Anchor Road bridge.

 

[B_Kosanda]

#5 - Here's an interesting shot of my shadow on the containers as a train rips past the Anchor Road bridge. It's a little disorienting standing right over the train on the bridge.

#6 - A MOW equipment train passing near the Hwy Z crossing near Ethel, MO.

#7 - I then moved on to the Bayport Ave. bridge. This bridge provides the best view of the tracks of any of the bridges. Here a UP train passes under the old Bayport Ave. bridge in the shadow of the newly constructed bridge. I have no idea why BNSF is replacing that old bridge

#8 - Stack trains fly past each other looking off the new Bayport Ave. bridge.

 

[B_Kosanda]

#9 - The awesome view from the new Bayport Ave. bridge. It doesn't get any better than this. Sun at your back, 65 degrees with a nice breeze (and a train every 15 minutes).

#10 - Amtrack at the Crystal Ave. bridge. I can't tell what the first car is, but it looks like a bus...

#11 - Stacker at Dolphin Road, near Ethel, MO. This is another train I never heard coming.

#12 - Another one of the stack trains in downtown Elmer, MO. This thing created a huge dust cloud as it crossed Main street.


I hope you enjoyed my photos. It's hard to really convey the atmosphere of this place in pictures. The trains are intensely loud and moving like a bat out of hell. With the quantity of trains, it just makes for a great experience.

Bill

 

[Itsed65]

Looks like it was worth it getting up that early! Nice set of pics.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

Great shots!!!

 

[papio]

Good stuff Bill!

 

[Trainfanne54]

Great shots Bill.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good shots. Do you have a scanner? There might be interesting radio traffic to go along with all the rail traffic.

 

[stlgevo51]

The Missouri segment of the Transon is so cool! The ATSF signal bridges are still standing (not for long) and there are many nice angles. The bridge at Bayport Road is really cool. It's a shame they are taking it down.

 

[B_Kosanda]

Good shots. Do you have a scanner? There might be interesting radio traffic to go along with all the rail traffic.

I really have not found a need for a scanner. The trains come so often, it seems I have never really waited too long for a train. Really a big change from what I'm used to.

 

[SDJeff]

Great report. The time I made it out to the Transcon near Amarillo, TX I found there was no need for a scanner, either. Just sit back a watch the action.