Re: Railroads in Redmond OR
Author: George Andrews
Date: 05-27-2014 - 20:44
Per Altamont Press Northwest Region Timetable # 8, ( available @ Whistle Stop Trains in Portland, OR #503-761-1822 ) BNSF Oregon Trunk Radio Freqs are:161.100 from Wishram to Chemult, 160.305 Dispatcher's Link Wishram - Bend, and 160.590 Dispatcher's Link Bend - Chemult.
As noted above, the Oregon Truck is dispatched with Radio Track Warrants, making a scanner & reference timetable essential. The PBX freqs are also a great help; too many to list here. Just buy the AP NW Region TT. The North End of O.T. is mostly in the deep confines of Deschutes River Gorge; this can be frustrating due to missed radio conversations or only hearing the DS side. The O.T. from Bend North to Wishram, WA. has ABS signals however no CTC and all siding switches are hand throw. Often a train has to stop and re - line an open switch from a previous train. The line South from Bend to the Ewe Pee connection at Chemult is also TWC, however there are no ABS signals on this part of the line.
The Crooked River Bridge referred to above is between Opal City & Terrebonne; ( or Madras & Redmond on poor maps ) look for the Peter Skene Ogden Scenic Viewpoint on U.S. 97.
The City of Prineville RR ( see the article in June, 2014 issue of Trains magazine ) actually connects with the Oregon Trunk at Prineville Jct. -- Milepost 131.8. This is between Terrebonne and Redmond, OR.
Keep in mind that with only 6 to 8 trains in a 24 hour period, and only a few long sidings, BNSF DS in Ft. Worth will sometimes fleet trains in one direction, i.e. -- 3 or 4 Northbounds an hour or so apart, then Southbounds the same. You can spend a long time waiting for a given train to show up !!! Also, Mileposts run from North ( Wishram, WA ) to South ( Chemult, OR. ).