Tales of Tower 17
- Thread starter USSHelm
- Start date
Railroadforums.com is a free online Railroad Discussion Forum and Railroad Photo Gallery for railroaders, railfans, model railroaders and anyone else who is interested in railroads. We cover a wide variety of topics, including freight trains, passenger and commuter railroads, rail news and information, tourist railroads, railway museums and railroad history.
That's a small one.
A recap of the last couple days. Two shots from the curve in Thompsons, a wedgie from Beasley, and the Sunset Limited roaring out of Sugar Land at last light this evening.
And now you can add hurricanes and floods to the mix.
Are you still above water? You will need the USS Helm to stay afloat as the Houston area receives a year's worth of rainfall in one week.
Yes. I left Richmond Friday for Tech, am currently back in Ruston. Was slated to leave Monday but Harvey accelerated things. Flooding was expected, but not this much.
My family's home is 1/4mi from the Brazos River behind a 57' levee. The record river level at Richmond is 54.9', set last year. The NWS is predicting it to crest at 59' tomorrow and stay at that height at least through Saturday. My family evacuted a few miles away with relatives. Thankfully there was a lot of warning so they've had plenty of time to get things moved upstairs and get out of the way. Time was something a lot of folks north of us didn't have last year. Never in my lifetime did I expect to see anything like what they're seeing now.
Railroad predictions/news.
Expect the UP Glidden sub to be closed beyond just for the storm. At 59' the Brazos will cover the bridge. There are photos of the bridge earlier in the thread. It would not surprise me if there are washouts on the eastern fill between the river and FM359. Hopefully scour under the bridge piers will not be as bad as last year due to extensive rip rap laid over the eastern bank itself and the structure of the new pier. The San Bernard River is supposed to set new records, I'm not sure how that will affect the UP trestle near East Bernard.
The BNSF Galveston sub was almost cut yesterday when a sinkhole opened up under FM762 in Rosenberg. It's about 30'-40' from the BNSF line. That's something to watch closely since that's the line that supplies coal to the W A Parish power station. There's another rail entrance to the plant but any trains entering it will do so from the east, and have to cross the Brazos. At 59' the Brazos will probably flood the BNSF bridge east of Thompsons in addition to a lot of the area surrounding Thompsons. If the power station floods and/or shuts down that's going to hurt bad. It's been a major blessing that most folks still have power in Houston.
http://www.kxxv.com/story/36227092/rosenberg-police-report-massive-sinkhole-update-on-road-closures
The KCS Rosenberg sub is an unknown right now. Probably some washouts. Glancing at the predictions for the Colorado River height, the bridge in Wharton should be fine. Not sure how the San Bernard will affect the KCS trestle.
Thanks. I think the second one may be my shot of the year.
Arrived back in Richmond. Got out this morning and took a couple shots. BNSF stack train at South Booth, and KCS unit train in Sugar Land.
Thank you!
On Wednesday I headed out to Columbus to shot the Colorado River bridge. Got one shot of a ballast train on the bridge, plus some yard power in Eagle Lake.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)
USSHelm
Member
Yikes!
That's a small one.
A recap of the last couple days. Two shots from the curve in Thompsons, a wedgie from Beasley, and the Sunset Limited roaring out of Sugar Land at last light this evening.
Bill Anderson
Well-Known Member
Between the gators and twisters, your local rail photo jaunts are not dull.
Bill Anderson
Well-Known Member
Between the gators and twisters, your local rail photo jaunts are not dull.
And now you can add hurricanes and floods to the mix.
Are you still above water? You will need the USS Helm to stay afloat as the Houston area receives a year's worth of rainfall in one week.
USSHelm
Member
Yes. I left Richmond Friday for Tech, am currently back in Ruston. Was slated to leave Monday but Harvey accelerated things. Flooding was expected, but not this much.
My family's home is 1/4mi from the Brazos River behind a 57' levee. The record river level at Richmond is 54.9', set last year. The NWS is predicting it to crest at 59' tomorrow and stay at that height at least through Saturday. My family evacuted a few miles away with relatives. Thankfully there was a lot of warning so they've had plenty of time to get things moved upstairs and get out of the way. Time was something a lot of folks north of us didn't have last year. Never in my lifetime did I expect to see anything like what they're seeing now.
Railroad predictions/news.
Expect the UP Glidden sub to be closed beyond just for the storm. At 59' the Brazos will cover the bridge. There are photos of the bridge earlier in the thread. It would not surprise me if there are washouts on the eastern fill between the river and FM359. Hopefully scour under the bridge piers will not be as bad as last year due to extensive rip rap laid over the eastern bank itself and the structure of the new pier. The San Bernard River is supposed to set new records, I'm not sure how that will affect the UP trestle near East Bernard.
The BNSF Galveston sub was almost cut yesterday when a sinkhole opened up under FM762 in Rosenberg. It's about 30'-40' from the BNSF line. That's something to watch closely since that's the line that supplies coal to the W A Parish power station. There's another rail entrance to the plant but any trains entering it will do so from the east, and have to cross the Brazos. At 59' the Brazos will probably flood the BNSF bridge east of Thompsons in addition to a lot of the area surrounding Thompsons. If the power station floods and/or shuts down that's going to hurt bad. It's been a major blessing that most folks still have power in Houston.
http://www.kxxv.com/story/36227092/rosenberg-police-report-massive-sinkhole-update-on-road-closures
The KCS Rosenberg sub is an unknown right now. Probably some washouts. Glancing at the predictions for the Colorado River height, the bridge in Wharton should be fine. Not sure how the San Bernard will affect the KCS trestle.
Bill Anderson
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the report. Please keep us updated as best you can.
Bill Anderson
Well-Known Member
Road May Flood
That has got to be the understatement of the century.
That has got to be the understatement of the century.
USSHelm
Member
Rain has stopped and blue skies have come out. Houston is still flooded and the Brazos hasn't crested yet but it looks like the worst is past. UP already has a WB stack train already waiting for the gree light at Harlem. It appears the Glidden sub and the Brazos River bridge came out all right.
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4368751
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4368751
Bill Anderson
Well-Known Member
The old Imperial Sugar Co. looks interesting. There was a model railroad module in one of the Model Railroader magazines based on Sugar Land in the late 40's-early 50's.
brad_in_omaha
Active Member
I really like the shot of that executive paint MAC on the bridge. Too bad the BN logo on the nose is gone.
brad_in_omaha
Active Member
Love those last two! Great work with that golden light.
USSHelm
Member
Thanks. I think the second one may be my shot of the year.
Arrived back in Richmond. Got out this morning and took a couple shots. BNSF stack train at South Booth, and KCS unit train in Sugar Land.
USSHelm
Member
Thank you!
On Wednesday I headed out to Columbus to shot the Colorado River bridge. Got one shot of a ballast train on the bridge, plus some yard power in Eagle Lake.
RailroadForums.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
|
RailroadBookstore.com - An online railroad bookstore featuring a curated selection of new and used railroad books. Railroad pictorials, railroad history, steam locomotives, passenger trains, modern railroading. Hundreds of titles available, most at discount prices! We also have a video and children's book section. ModelRailroadBookstore.com - An online model railroad bookstore featuring a curated selection of new and used books. Layout design, track plans, scenery and structure building, wiring, DCC, Tinplate, Toy Trains, Price Guides and more. |
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)