UP Bridge over I-29:

[damonhynes]

Found it interesting that UP fed a line about the reduction in tracks from five to three as being 'to improve local yard operations' and that the OWH parroted it without question.

Brad, you're a railfan like me but more interested in UP and Omaha infrastructure than I...what are the metrics for traffic going through Omaha/CB compared to Fremont/Blair/Mo Valley?

I think that UP took the occasion of IDOT throwing money around to re-do the I-29/80 and Casino interchanges and decided they could get a new bridge out of it, and I don't blame them one bit. I can understand why they don't need as many tracks--rail yards ain't what they used to be--but what 'yard improvements' do they have in mind?

Thanx!

[BRoss]

I think that UP took the occasion of IDOT throwing money around to re-do the I-29/80 and Casino interchanges and decided they could get a new bridge out of it, and I don't blame them one bit.

They had to replace the bridge regardless because there wasn't enough room for the new lanes underneath.

[Brad]

Found it interesting that UP fed a line about the reduction in tracks from five to three as being 'to improve local yard operations' and that the OWH parroted it without question.

I think that UP took the occasion of IDOT throwing money around to re-do the I-29/80 and Casino interchanges and decided they could get a new bridge out of it, and I don't blame them one bit. I can understand why they don't need as many tracks--rail yards ain't what they used to be--but what 'yard improvements' do they have in mind?

I think they used the opportunity/money to re-align switches and yard leads further to the east, even further east than 35th Street. Not positive what was all part of this particular project, but that's what I have observed.

Brad, you're a railfan like me but more interested in UP and Omaha infrastructure than I...what are the metrics for traffic going through Omaha/CB compared to Fremont/Blair/Mo Valley?

My understanding is they basically run as many trains as they can on the Blair line and the Omaha line is only used for trains that originate/terminate in CB, overflow (usually low priority trains), and anything running north out of Kansas City runs through the bluffs on its way east.

Last I knew there were a half dozen trains that originate/terminate in CB not including local trains. I also think one stack train running each direction makes a set-out in CB each day.

[Fort Calhoun]

One of the reasons there were five tracks is that this is the location where the Union Pacific had a large icing platform where the refrigerator cars received additional ice.

[Brad]

One of the reasons there were five tracks is that this is the location where the Union Pacific had a large icing platform where the refrigerator cars received additional ice.

The Ice House (Which is still there) had more tracks that have been long since removed.

[damonhynes]

Thanks, guys :-)

[Brad]

One of the reasons there were five tracks is that this is the location where the Union Pacific had a large icing platform where the refrigerator cars received additional ice.

The Ice House (Which is still there) had more tracks that have been long since removed.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum shared this awesome photo of the ice house. You can see the lower tracks that were removed a long time ago.



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