I heard a report about Mullan Tunnel on MRL, having a possible collapse or other trouble, and train service is stopped on Mullan Pass to Missoula. Can anyone confirm?
Tunnel still closed. Trains are moving, but none are able to pass across the system. Locals still operating. Some BNSF being moved back off to BNSF lines. Some being repositioned, etc. Reported cause is too many railfans tramping around. Boxcab E50
I've not seen anything in the local news about this so it can't be anything major... :tb-ooh: :tb-ooh: :tb-ooh: :tb-ooh:
As I understand it, this is not actually a "collapse" as we'd define such. There is ongoing work in the tunnel, and they dug into a geologically unstable area. Now that must be stabilized and cleaned out. Probably not newsworthy outside of this area, as there is no way to make it seem sensational. Boxcab E50
Not all of them... Alaska GP49 and I plan to "Take Montana By Storm" next week..... Mullan was a star attraction, but I dunno if we'll see anything rolling...
Traffic seems down, but I passed a BNSF unit grain train headed east this morning so I assume at least some trains are getting thru......BNSF stuff here is all thru traffic and doesn't sit in the yards till they hit the interchange yard in Laurel, so I assume it came over Mullan last night sometime.
Tuinnel still closed. Trains you are seeing have been turned back for other (detour) routing. Boxcab E50
Tunnel STILL closed......they are hoping for sunday. Many train crews on furlough since a lot of crews shuttle the BNSF stuff across montana, and now MRL is running across the high line, so those trains are using BNSF crews. But the track crews are having a hayday doing track work while there are no trains running...spoted 2 MRL SD45's, with a GP9, and a GP35 on lead headed west at Bozeman this morning with no cars...probably a local headed for the talc plant or the cement plant at Trident.
The latest direct from MRL: " As a result of ongoing problems in resolving tunnel issues, MRL will delay announcing an estimated re-opening date until further notice. Day-to-day information will continue to be posted by 3:00p.m." See: http://www.montanarail.com/news_updates/mullen_tunnel.aspx Boxcab E50
What a mess! What the link tells me is that not only are they widening the tunnel 3 feet, and heightening it 5 feet, they are also cutting the west portal back 400 feet. the classic shot is going to be no more: According to that link, apparently the big ACes run out of air in the constricted confines of that tunnel, so much so, that the 5th unit of a consist tends to overheat, and die. So much for this shot, too: I suppose memories will have to do.... Here's hoping MRL utilizes the classic NP tunnel portal design in the revised west portal!
Anyone know why MRL is cutting the tunnel shorter? The widening and heightening is easy to figure out, but shortening?
I read an explanation of the shortening some time ago. But cannot recall why, or where the info was located. Boxcab E50
Midnight the 13th is supposedly open date.. Lessee if trains roll thru! The cutting back of the west portal is said to take up to a month longer to complete.
For the sake of those furloughed, and lost revenues or expenses otherwise, I certainly hope it does get opened. Boxcab E50
Is MRL the only one having trouble with ACEs being able to breath in long tunnels? What about BNSF? DO the GEVO's not have the problem? It makes you wonder why they don't do something like the Tunnel motors...or why MLR hasn't picked up tunnel motors previously.
As I understand it, the problem was close clearances which did not allow enough air capacity in the tunnel. Trailing units would shut down. Other tunnels have more open space for available air to be used. Boxcab E50
