Re: [CBQ] Re: current traffic SW from Galesburg (was: UP trains still using ex-CB

["John D. Mitchell, Jr." <cbqrr47@yahoo.com>]

Most of the UP Texas traffic to and from Chicago does not go through St Louis. That terminal is way too congested. Rather, it goes via the the so called "river route" across the Thebes Bridge then via Gorham to the old "East West Line" of the former MOP to the former C&EI route to and from Chicago. It is not as convoluted as it sounds. It really is a straight shot. This route sees about fifty trains a day. There is a fairly heavy amount of intermodal traffic from the west coast that comes across the old SP to Texas and lots of chemicals, auto parts and autos, plus run throughs to and from the CSX and NS. I live about a mile from it.  It is a very busy single track railroad but has a lot of 8,000 ft. and 10,000 ft sidings. Some northbound traffic is diverted to the "Chester Subdivision" (Chester to Mt Vernon), but that line is "dark" so it is mostly unit western coal trains. Also, on that line there are steep grades southbound.

--- On Mon, 2/18/13, William Barber <clipperw@gmail.com> wrote:

From: William Barber <clipperw@gmail.com>
Subject: [CBQ] Re: current traffic SW from Galesburg (was: UP trains still using ex-CB
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, February 18, 2013, 11:23 AM

 

Fred,

Keep in mind that Union Pacific has three major routes available for traffic to Chicago from the West Coast. The primary route, of course is the former C&NW which has been heavily upgraded. The second all UP route is east from KC to St. Louis and northeast through Illinois on the former C&EI / MoPac That line handles primarily traffic from Texas, but can be used as an alternative from the west. The third line is, of course, KC to Chicago via the former Santa Fe via Ft. Madison and Galesburg. UP trains east of Galesburg generally use the former Q. 

As for the BNSF traffic westbound from Chicago, they also have choices and traffic patterns. Traffic to the West Coast primarily uses the Transcon. Between Chicago and Galesburg, either the Q or the former Santa fe can be used depending on which yard in Chicago originates the traffic. Both Corwith and Cicero (Clyde) are primarily intermodal these days. Trains to Quincy are less frequent and can go to either St. Louis via the K line or west to KC, but those choices are not as common because the route aren't as upgraded. Trains to southern Illinois generally aren't going to the west, but could if necessary via St. Louis, but that would be somewhat convoluted. I don't know what the traffic density is to southern Illinois, but my impression it that it is relatively heavy with a fair amount of coal moving to power plants and barge transloading. 

Bill Barber

Gravois Mills, MO

On Feb 18, 2013, at 8:16 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:

current traffic SW from Galesburg (was:  UP trains still using ex-CB

Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:52 pm (PST) . Posted by:

"Frederick Ripley" fjrky

Thanks Bill- based on what I've seen on full days on the AT&SF (only several UP trains), that must mean UP traffic from the Golden State Route to Chicago is not overwhelming.
Can anyone comment on current typical BNSF traffic on the CB&Q southwest from Galesburg?(to southern IL from Bushnell, to KC from W. Quincy, and to St. Louis from W. Quincy).
Fred R.

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