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By the time I get to Phoenix... Some of you may remember that Glen Campbell song and in keeping our muscial theme recently, it applies to my upcoming trip. Some of you helped me with ideas for it and I do appreciate your advice.
So, late next week I will fly to New Orleans and arrive late at night. I'll be staying at the AmeriHost hotel on Canal St. The best thing about it is that it is an old building that has been renvoated but is still cheap and only for a short night. We'll see.. but maybe I can hear the streetcars.
As you may remember I will be using my Amtrak pass that only allows reservations 24 hours in advance. Normally, I pay the going rate to be assured a room and have everything planned in some detail. This trip, to save a few dollars, I am stepping out of charcher a bit as my wife will already in Phoneix with her folks and I will be going solo. With that in mind I will be leaving the button down look at home and be in Levi's and backpack mode. If I can get a roomette great, if not I'm kind of looking forward to spending lots of time in the lounge and in full railfan adventure mindset.
After a morning in New Orleans (think an hour or two with the sunday paper at Cafe du Monde or Jackson square) I'll try my luck on the City of New Orleans. If I do not get a room, then you can find me 'with the old men in the club car' and no doubt, saying 'pass the bag that holds the bottle'.
Since duty in Phoenix calls, I'll have to forego a couple sidetrips I had thought about. So on arrival in Chicago I'll try for either the SWC or CZ with the SWC being first choice. I chose that for a couple reasons: Southwest Airlines is a bit cheaper LA to Phoenix than Sacramento to Phoenix; I have ridden Chicago to Flagstaff several times but never the Flagstaff to LA portion. Finally I'd like to get some picture of the remaining semaphores on the Santa Fe Raton line.
So I will let you know how it goes. Just a couple questions: -Anyone know which portion of the line the semaphores are still in place? -Does the CONO serve lunch on departure from New Orleans? -How long should I allow to take the new bus service from LAX to the airport? -I had heard a rumor that the lounge is no longer on the SWC, any truth to that one?
Thanks for your help.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I did the railfan adventure bit on the CONO northbound on 11/28-29 in coach. I had a whole seat to myself all the way to CHI, and the sleeping was great. I could be wrong, but I believe the diner doesn't open until dinner, about an hour before Jackson, MS. There is a Subway in the NOL station, and you could do worse than grab a sub to go for the train. Of course, the snack car is available. When I rode, no "old men in the club car," except me. Pleasant trip, and we ran on the advertised the whole way.
Skip breakfast on the train, and hit that cafe in CUS where the guy makes omelettes for you right on the spot, and the bagels and coffee are excellent, too.
Be careful on Canal St. at night; you probably know that the city's having problems with crime ever since Katrina. I should note, however, that I left my car at the NOL station parking lot for a week, with absolutely no problems.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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The 'upper quadrant blades' may be seen between Raton and Las Vegas, more specifically between Springer and Wagon Mound which is traversed in the middle of the day.
Get in the front of the upper level of the club car, whichever variety it may be.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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The semaphores are all the way down to Albuquerque, but the ones along the Rail Runner route are being replaced as the new signals are installed. There was one at Bernalillo that you could see from Interstate 25, but it will be gone soon.
-------------------- Kiernan Posts: 155 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kiernan: There was one at Bernalillo that you could see from Interstate 25, but it will be gone soon.
That's a shame
There is a Burger King/Gas station really close to that semaphore. It's a good place to stop for lunch and you can usually see #4 fly by while you eat...She's close to 90mph through here.
My dad and I went out to take pictures of the semaphore when we were passing through about 2 years ago. I'll have to post those if I can find the pictures. As I recall, that semaphore is ATS equipped with a track side inductor close by.
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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-How long should I allow to take the new bus service from LAX to the airport?
The bus runs every half hour during the day, but the schedule often gets stretched out, so sometimes the intervals between busses are more than a half hour. The bus uses the high occupancy vehicle lanes, so the trip usually takes no more than 30 to 45 minutes. Of course, LAX airport can get pretty congested at times, but the Southwest terminal is the first stop. To get the bus at Union Station, go through the tunnel, all the way to the end. Go up to ground level, and you will find the bus stop and ticket booth at the far right of the transit plaza.
Posts: 133 | From: Canaan, CT | Registered: Dec 2004
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Ocala Mike - thanks for the tips. If no lunch on the train, I think I may opt for a good brunch. If a nice day maybe try the Court of the Two Sisters if it has reopened after Katrina even if I do miss seeing the Sunset. I am aware of N.O. problems but unless there are snipers in the windows, I will stubbornly ignore all that and should be ok since any walking will be in daylight. That restaurant in CUS sounds like a good idea for breakfast.
Russ M- thanks for the bus info,sounds easy. Too bad there isn't a transit line to LAX.
All- I'll have camera at the ready for the semaphores, thanks for the locations. Suppose it's worth a try from an open window in the vestibule area? I was surprised to see mention of a 90mph speed, but checked my 1989 ATSF Employee timetable and sure enough, speed for passenger in many places is 90. If that is still the speed, must have cab signals in the engines? Amtrak would do well to put a second train on this line, at least as far as KC (and on to Texas?)
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Another idea for photographing the semaphores would be out the rear door of the train now that the SWC doesn't routinely have 30 boxcars attached to the rear.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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On my trio to the Rare mileage trips in October and the trip to La Plata in December on my web site are pictures of all of the remaining semephores on that line takin out the back window of the train,
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Thanks Chris for the La PLATA trip photos. Two items: The large rock formation between Lamy and Bernalillo is called DEVILS THRONE; and the private car at KC is number 37 Chico, a former ATSF General Managers business car now owned by Marvin and Dorothy Robertson of Lawrence, KS.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by notelvis: Another idea for photographing the semaphores would be out the rear door of the train now that the SWC doesn't routinely have 30 boxcars attached to the rear.
The rear of the train is a great spot, and maybe could get a picture of the semaphores as they are moving to horizontal position. All the sleepers belong on the rear of a train, maybe this is one time I'll be glad the coaches are there.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Bernalillo to Lamy is 79 mph. The staff at one of the public meetings for the Rail Runner told us that the track used to be 90 mph, but had been downgraded.
-------------------- Kiernan Posts: 155 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kiernan: Bernalillo to Lamy is 79 mph. The staff at one of the public meetings for the Rail Runner told us that the track used to be 90 mph, but had been downgraded.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if this was still a 90mph section or not. It is Automatic Train Stop (ATS) territory, or at least used to be. Without ATS, or another system like cab signals, 79 is the max speed allowed. But if you were told it used to be 90, my guess is the ATS got removed somehow, by by semaphore
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: Russ M- thanks for the bus info,sounds easy. Too bad there isn't a transit line to LAX.
All- I'll have camera at the ready for the semaphores, thanks for the locations. Suppose it's worth a try from an open window in the vestibule area? I was surprised to see mention of a 90mph speed, but checked my 1989 ATSF Employee timetable and sure enough, speed for passenger in many places is 90. If that is still the speed, must have cab signals in the engines? Amtrak would do well to put a second train on this line, at least as far as KC (and on to Texas?)
There is a transit route to LAX, but you don't want to take it! Be glad we (finally) have a direct bus connection from LA Union Station to LAX.
I just looked in my Altamont Press timetable, and these are the 90mph areas: Going eastbound: Seligman Sub: * East Needles (doubt you'll get up that fast, there's 50 mph restrictions on either end) * Powell-East Griffith * Getz-Walapai * East Crookton-East Williams Jct Gallup Sub: * Hibbard-Bibo * Chambers-West Gallup * East Gallup-East Grants Raton Sub: * Hoehnes (who names this stuff???) * Model-Ormega Boise City Sub: * Las Animas-Casa
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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thanks Paul B. Glad to hear 90mph timekeeping is still there. The BNSF really is the best operating railroad out there in my opinion. Amtrak would do well to use them more (and less on UP). Which I am sure BNSF would hate and UP would love.
On a recent trip on the EB we were on time the whole trip, with virtually every siding filled with freights. Very little double track unlike much of the SWC route.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Doesn't look like much has changed since the 1997 Southwest Region Timetable I have. You missed the Glorieta Sub so I listed that too, although all could be gone as this is 1997 info. What Altamont copy(ies) do you have? It's about time I get some new ones I think. I also think I'm missing some sections you listed (Raton, Boise City) since I only have the Southwest Region.
Former 90mph sections:
Seligman Sub: * East Darling-West Pass
Gallup Sub: * Marmon-Suwanee * Rio Puerco * Dalies
Glorieta Sub (some possibly still active): * Rio Bravo-Albuquerque * Alameda-Nueve (this includes Bernalillo) * Domingo-Lamy
Raton Sub (Las Vegas-Trinidad): * Max speed was 79 in 1997
Boise City Sub (BNSF Crossing-Boise City): * Max speed was 49 in 1997 * No passenger trains for the section I have
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Kiernan: Bernalillo to Lamy is 79 mph. The staff at one of the public meetings for the Rail Runner told us that the track used to be 90 mph, but had been downgraded.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if this was still a 90mph section or not. It is Automatic Train Stop (ATS) territory, or at least used to be. Without ATS, or another system like cab signals, 79 is the max speed allowed. But if you were told it used to be 90, my guess is the ATS got removed somehow, by by semaphore
According to the 2002 ETT that I have, the speed limit is 79 mph, but the ATS is still in place. Probably the speed got reduced from 90 mph to 79 mph due to track condtions, or simply to reduce the freqency of required inspections. They could have made it 80 with the ATS in place, but by making it 79, if the ATS is removed no further change need be made in speed limit. Even if the track still passes Class 5 (90/70), the inspection and maintenance requirements are more relaxed of all they have to comply wiht is the FRA requirements for Class 4 (80/60).
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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It now begins at La Junta and leaves the Dodge City-La Junta main line at Las Animas Jct, then proceeds through Boise City to Amarillo. 49 MPH is only for that segment between Las Animas Jct and Amarillo. This is the route taken by loaded coal trains with the empty northbound coal trains routed through Clayton and Trinidad to Pueblo.
So about 22 miles of the Boise City Sub are used by the SWC.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by palmland:On a recent trip on the EB we were on time the whole trip, with virtually every siding filled with freights. Very little double track unlike much of the SWC route. [/QB]
I would not be surprised to see the BNSF campaign of adding 2nd main tracks to move to the High Line after they have finished on the ATSF Transcon, although they are beginning to add a third main to some parts that already have the second main. Given the long grades on parts of this a lot of third main may be showing up in Arizona and Claifornia.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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George, I think you are right as transcon traffic will continue to grow on all routes. It is no surprise that I read a senior BNSF exec said it was relatively painless to stick the SWC in a slot on the transcon line (via NM, AZ) and let it flow with the fleet while the EB was more problematic with the single track much of the way.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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There is relatively light freight traffic on BNSF west from Newton, KS toward Colorado and with the State of NM owning the track south of Trinidad I doubt that there will be any 2nd track. The busiest location appears to be the 22 miles between La Junta and Las Animas Jct of which about 5 miles east from LJ is double track. The SWC on the northern line creates no operational problems but maintenace of the signal system for passenger train operation is a cost not needed for freight trains.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by RRCHINA: There is relatively light freight traffic on BNSF west from Newton, KS toward Colorado and with the State of NM owning the track south of Trinidad I doubt that there will be any 2nd track.
Huh? Adding double track to this line was no where in the discussion. However, Dailes and west, which is all double track now is where there is a possibility of a third main in places.
The "Hiline" mentioned is the former Great Northern main used by the Empire Builder across Montana. This line is mostly single track with a few sections of double track, and lots of trains. If I understand what I have seen, it has about the same freight volume as UP's Sunset Route. Here is where a second main could start showing up. The major capacity constraints on this line are the Flathead and particularly the Cascade tunnels. Both require purge periods after upgrade trains to clear out the exhaust fumes.
Back to Speeds within the Railrunner territory: From the 2002 employee timetable:
mp 886.0 Bernalillo mp 902.4 Albuquerque mp 915.0 Isleta, = mp 12.6 for Transcon to west mp 933.1 Belen Speeds--Maximum: Bernalillo to Isleta: 79 mph passenger Isleta to Belen: 49 mph freight - no passenger limit given, but would be max 59 mph. Lower Speeds south of Bernalillo: mp 898.8 EDT spring switch, northbound only, 30 mph 898.8 to 899.4: 60 mph 899.4 to 901.5: 50 mph 901.5 to 905.2: 20 mph 905.2 to 905.4: 70 mph 914.9 to 915.2: 20 mph however, turnout at mp 915.0 shown as 40 mph. 932.4, Belen Jct, "all switches, 30 mph"
In other words for the line north, once out of the restrictions in Albuquerque the speed is 79 mph for the rest of the Railrunner territory. the next speed restriction north is 35 mph between mp 853.2 and 853.7
George
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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I have the most recent Altamont Press timetable...Southwest Region Number 5
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris: [QUOTE]I would not be surprised to see the BNSF campaign of adding 2nd main tracks to move to the High Line after they have finished on the ATSF Transcon, although they are beginning to add a third main to some parts that already have the second main. Given the long grades on parts of this a lot of third main may be showing up in Arizona and Claifornia.
Yes, BNSF Cajon Sub is already 3MT from San Bernardino to Keenbrook. They are working on adding a 3rd main from Keenbrook to Summit.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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