This weekend several representatives from the B&MRR will be attending the
MRIA show in Chicago to investigate the latest equipment and building
techniques our industry has to provide. We are hoping that their weekend
will be fruitful and beneficial for the B&MRR.
The Galesburg yard is 95% complete, but work has been temporarily suspended
until the survey crews locate just exactly where the eastbound line will
enter town. Thoughts are now to run two lines in, a passenger main that
will come directly into town and a freight main that will take a divergent
route to the south end of the yard.
The helix (or as one worker has dubbed it, "The Temple to Plywood") is DONE!
All four loops have been adjusted and anchored and both upper and lower
reverse loops are installed. Finish grading of the West Burlington Hill
roadbed is 90% complete, with 30% of the double track already laid. Mr.
Thompson's ballasting crew will commence their work shortly. Work has begun
to bury Hawkeye Creek in a concrete sewer so that it will not interfere with
track laying efforts from the base of the WB hill to the depot.
Rough grading (benchwork) has started in Burlington and West Burlington.
The plans for the major backshops of the B&MRR have been finalized. The
city of Burlington, now under severe criticism, has annexed a large parcel
of land at the top of the WB hill to the north of what is now Leffler's and
will deed it to the railroad in exchange for building our shops there. Mr.
Lee, who is in charge of the shops construction is one of the folks headed
to Chicago, seeking out suitable construction material and equipment.
Finish grading is completed in Creston and Mr. Schindler's crew has begun
laying tracks and turnouts on the western yard throat that comes from the
helix and reverse loops heading eastward.
We've had several officials from other railroads visit, from as far away as
California, Colorado, Iowa and Missouri. All seem to be impressed with the
construction, but like all of us are anxious to see the railroads
completion!
Work continues towards our goal of July 2001, and we'll keep you posted on
our progress.
Dave Lotz
B&MRR Superintendent
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