Been seeing Triple Crown Roadrailer trains on the NS line between Cleveland and Buffalo in both directions all this week. Seems like traffic on this line has increased 3-fold the last week or so. Anyone know why?
That's a bit strange! I've heard a fair amount of traffic today, too. Perhaps the Alliance line is partially closed? That's where the Roadrailers usually go. They are probably taking the Cloggsville connection in Cleveland, heading along the Nickle Plate, and turning south up the hill in Ashtabula. Anyone hear of any wrecks or maintenance down on the Pennsy?
Though I don't know specificaly about the RoadRailers, traffic on the NS lines west of Conway Yard (Pittsburgh,Pa) is being diverted north while a bridge, damaged by derailment of an ethanol train last October, is being replaced. Projected time for the project is reported as 6 weeks. Bob C.
That would explain it. I remember that derailment. It was quite a mess and partially melted the bridge did it not? I'm here to tell you that there is just a ton of traffic on the NS here with trains stacked up on sidings and what-not. I hear the horns blowing for the Hart Street crossing sometimes twice an hour. Roadrailer trains are not the norm around here. They turn south in Cleveland.
Bridge is in New Brighton, Pa, between Rochester and Beaver Falls, 6 or so miles west of Conway Yard, 30 miles west of Pittsburgh on the Cleveland(?)Line over the Beaver River. Bob C.
Just caught a Roadrailer down at East Mentor, fast and long. It had well over a hundred trailers. Back when Conrail ran them through here they were much shorter, 50-60 cars max. With the low traffic volume allowing for high priority trains to highball, one wonders why the CL-BU NS corridor isn't regularly used for roadrailers? Also, does anybody know the maximum length of these trains? Considering that the frame strength of the trailer is considerably less than a flat car (although beefier than a standard trailer.) The trailers up front have to be strong enough to pull the entire train.
Well, I was right about turning south at Ashtabula. Caught a RRer SB on the ore line today, 106 cars. I still think the one yesterday was longer...
Under Conrail, these trains were 75 trailers. As the FRA allowed, the length limit was increased to 100, 125, and now stands for us at 150 trailers. Though weights vary (loads, emptys, type of lading), for example, had an NS-262 east, Conway to Harrisburg with 134 trailers, billed at 4346 tons (gross) with two 4000hp, 6 axle units. Believe the limit is 2 units so as not to overstress the couplings. Unlike standard cars, RoadRailers have almost no "slack" in the couplings, so are not required to withstand the buffing forces incurred by standard cars. This train,by the way, was about 7300 feet long...almost 84 feet in HO scale. I need a bigger basement !!! Bob C
Just caught another one, doing 60 MPH down the Nickle Plate. That was immediately followed by a double on Conrail, thus making it a triple.
I was in Alliance two week ago and there was a lot more eastbounds than westbounds. We had 3 east bound mixed freights go across the diamond down the Bayard line, as well as about 4 coal train from the Ft. Wayne Line. Lots of stacks and trailers on the main line.
Damaged bridge The damaged bridge is on the Ft Wayne line. Also track 1 is reopen, track 2 was never out of service during the rebuilding. I went over the new track last Tuesday. However the 24/7 manned helpers were still stationed at CP Wood up the hill.
I was unable to get on earlier due to computer problems, but was there any problems on the Pennsy earlier this week? On Monday I saw a Roadrailer on the NKP as well as increased traffic Monday and Tuesday.
There was a huge structure fire in Elyria overnight that was located close to the NS main. Not sure but it might be the reason considering that it took 27 fire companies from 3 counties to put the thing out. Photos on TV showed snorkels hanging over the right-of-way.
Well, today on the ore line I saw a Roadrailer sitting for over two hours blocking the US 322 crossing. They apparently went into emergency, heard the conductor walking the train said he didn't see anything on the ground but it still was a long time before they got going.
Here's the second of those two: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhcVsm1SOaQ"]YouTube - Roadrailer car counter[/ame]
They're ~back!~ Or perhaps they never left? Just saw a pair of Roadrailers meet at Mentor siding. It looked like they were pretty close to a full scale standoff! The westbound held the main well long of the siding waiting for the EB to clear the switch, the WB then pulled through and the EB got the green.
