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Re: UP Canada lines in the Spokane area
Author: Bruce Butler
Date: 11-16-2013 - 05:00
Bruce Kelly Wrote:
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> But when (UP) northbounds
> headed for Eastport come to town, they typically
> change crews on BNSF track, blocking one of the
> two mains between the Amtrak station and Napa
> Street for a period of time.
Several years ago BNSF put an end to the practice of UP trains changing crews on BNSF track. Now most northbound UP trains change crews at Park Road after they have left BNSF track at Napa St. Southbound UP trains change crews at Fancher Rd then call Boyer West (BNSF Dispatcher) for permission to enter the BNSF. Until they get this permission, they sit at Fancher. Among other requirements, they MUST have a track warrant BEYOND Fish Lake; ie they cannot be stuck sitting on BNSF waiting for the UP Dispatcher to take them. Southbound UP trains also usually communicate to Boyer West if they are expecting a UP meet on the BNSF track. Typically northbound UP trains (eastbound in BNSF terms)cross the connection track from Scribner to Marshall then run on the ex NP to Sunset Jct. Southbound UP trains cross the big bridge then go up the ex SP&S all the way to Fish Lake where they regain their own line.
This Google Map of UP trackage rights shows Fish Lake (Point A) and Napa St (Point B). Enlarge it (move the slider up on the + scale) to see more details. Ignore the blue line which is suggested driving directions.
This map shows UP Fancher Road ("A") and UP Park Road ("B"). Notice that this is single track and effectively plugs the UP until their train moves. If UP makes meets on their tracks in the Spokane area, they use their new siding at UP station Velox. This map shows this siding from "A" the south switch west of Sullivan Rd to "B" the north switch east of Flora Rd. If you zoom this one in you can see a northbound with CP power sitting in this siding. Nice siding with concrete ties from the CXT plant which is just north of the UP and just east of Sullivan Rd. Before this siding was constructed they sometimes did meets here by using the curved track which goes into the east side of the industrial park directly above the CP engines. This option involved a fairly busy grade crossing at Euclid Ave and had to be a pain in the a** for UP train crews!
Oops! Now when I zoom this map in it shows a northbound in the siding with 3 UP SD9043MAC's on the point. Obviously you get different images when you zoom. Cute! Enough for this post.
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> But when (UP) northbounds
> headed for Eastport come to town, they typically
> change crews on BNSF track, blocking one of the
> two mains between the Amtrak station and Napa
> Street for a period of time.
Several years ago BNSF put an end to the practice of UP trains changing crews on BNSF track. Now most northbound UP trains change crews at Park Road after they have left BNSF track at Napa St. Southbound UP trains change crews at Fancher Rd then call Boyer West (BNSF Dispatcher) for permission to enter the BNSF. Until they get this permission, they sit at Fancher. Among other requirements, they MUST have a track warrant BEYOND Fish Lake; ie they cannot be stuck sitting on BNSF waiting for the UP Dispatcher to take them. Southbound UP trains also usually communicate to Boyer West if they are expecting a UP meet on the BNSF track. Typically northbound UP trains (eastbound in BNSF terms)cross the connection track from Scribner to Marshall then run on the ex NP to Sunset Jct. Southbound UP trains cross the big bridge then go up the ex SP&S all the way to Fish Lake where they regain their own line.
This Google Map of UP trackage rights shows Fish Lake (Point A) and Napa St (Point B). Enlarge it (move the slider up on the + scale) to see more details. Ignore the blue line which is suggested driving directions.
This map shows UP Fancher Road ("A") and UP Park Road ("B"). Notice that this is single track and effectively plugs the UP until their train moves. If UP makes meets on their tracks in the Spokane area, they use their new siding at UP station Velox. This map shows this siding from "A" the south switch west of Sullivan Rd to "B" the north switch east of Flora Rd. If you zoom this one in you can see a northbound with CP power sitting in this siding. Nice siding with concrete ties from the CXT plant which is just north of the UP and just east of Sullivan Rd. Before this siding was constructed they sometimes did meets here by using the curved track which goes into the east side of the industrial park directly above the CP engines. This option involved a fairly busy grade crossing at Euclid Ave and had to be a pain in the a** for UP train crews!
Oops! Now when I zoom this map in it shows a northbound in the siding with 3 UP SD9043MAC's on the point. Obviously you get different images when you zoom. Cute! Enough for this post.
