I always find cylindrical open hoppers unusual, as if they belong somewhere other than North America. How long have they been in use?
I have just made the trip following the Rosenberg/Victoria ROW. Photographs of the significant existing bridges from Wharton west to Victoria are on: http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/10433
Cool shots. Welcome to Trainboard. It will be interesting to see if they can use all the old bridges or not. There is a lot of timber trestle in place crossing the San Bernard. I wonder if they will replace much of it with a fill causeway similar to what the SP did across Lake Texana at the Navidad River. Note: you can edit the information on any of your photos in your gallery at Railimage by clicking on the button below it.
That is a great set of photos of all the bridges along the route. I recommend to all that it is worth your time to see them. Some bridges appear solid and some not so solid. It will be interesting to see the disposition that KCS makes of them. Welcome to TrainBoard, too!
beagle_badge; Welcome to TrainBoard! Nice set of photos. It will be interesting to follow the rehabilitation of those structures. Hope you can help keep us updated. Boxcab E50
Hi Russell, If you have the opportunity, there where two long (600-700 feet) timber trestles that KCS was approaching with their MOW teams. The one on the west end of Kendleton (San Bernard River) had been stripped of foliage and a large backhoe was clearing the eastern approach and another, next to "Old Hwy 59" near Hungerford--it would be interesting to see pictures of the rebuild or replacement of these open timber trestle bridges. beagle
line report 5-4-08, courtesy of Railspot Here is what I observed on the KCS rebuilding project out of Rosenberg Sunday evening: NEW RAIL is complete to the intermodal facility property at Kendleton. In fact, even a second track has been laid on the north/west side of the main at that property. Still, lots of ballast work is still in order for most of the line. LAND WORK inside the facility is under way. ROW clearing has proceeded to about half-way between Kendleton and Hungerford. SAN BERNARD RIVER BRIDGE south of Kendleton has mostly been demolished, and piles are being driven for the new bridge. ANOTHER NEW BRIDGE is complete past where ROW clearing ends. It is a small trestle, the first bridge north of the long trestle north of Hungerford (Little Bernard River?). No KCS trains were on the property.
Sure hope someone can grab a few photos of the bridge repairs. That aspect has always fascinated me. Boxcab E50
A friend of mine who volunteers at the Museum posted this to a few of the Yahoo Groups. The museum is supposed to get the old rail they just replaced at the north end.
Russell, Thanks for your pictures. I envy you living so close to the site. Heading west the next major bridge to be replaced is just east of Hungerford on Old Hwy 59. I gather since you were at the Wharton Rail Depot (the Ghost of Jim Crow pictures gave me pause) that nothing has been done to the Wharton Bridge across the Colorado River. The Lavaca River Bridge is difficult to find. It is just west of Edna, Tx turn south on County Rd 300, about 150 yards south the road turns 90 degrees west--you have just crossed the ROW. Walk down the ROW and the bridge is about 1/4 mile.
I did not go look at the bridge so can't say one way or another. Today I just went out a little way till I found a train full of rail on the temporary siding. Photos here. I also noted that they have been replacing the old grade crossings that they left in place with new rail and ties.
I scanned the Wharton area using Google Earth. Is there any old rail to be removed and replaced with this new rail? It appeared to me that the ROW was just the road bed in most areas. Thanks.
Are all of the new crossings asphalted? Or do any have seemingly more permanent materials used? Boxcab E50
The rail has all be removed there. I think UP pulled it up between Wharton and Victoria while KCS pulled up everything from outside Rosenberg to the Wharton bridge. The crossings I saw were all at county roads and were only asphalt. I don't know yet what they will put in at major highway grade crossings.
CSX uses asphalt when they repair or upgrade crossings here on the Coast. Being flexible, asphalt is more resilient and lasts longer than concrete, also it is less labor intensive to install.
I found this message board by accident trying to find any information on the old abandoned rail line that is now by refurbished. I work in Richmond and drive down 59 a couple of days a week to Wharton just to relax. I don't know much about railroad construction, even though I've ridden Amtrak many times in the past. I love all things railroad. I have some questions, I know you all can answer for me. 1. Why are they rebuilding the track with concrete ties? 2. What is meant by ballast? 3. Where will this project eventually end up? 4. How long is it expected to take?
