Today about 12:15 hours a railtrain and the usual local were combined as far as Rainier. The power was GP-39 2312 and SD-9m 1853 "Forest Grove". There was a long string of welded rail cars with TVRR reporting marks as well as the cars for laying the rail. I was wondering when the rail improvements were going to start as the Ethanol distillery is about to start up. There is supposed to be two 100+ car Unit Grain trains starting in February.
Another railtrain went west on Friday and this morning a train went west with P&W GP30 2315 "Willamina" two more cars of rail and five gons of ties.
Rail Train in Rainier!! The welded rail train has reached Rainier with new rail. The welded rail stops at the west end of town then starts again just at the east end of town. With the tracks in the middle of "A" Street It should be interesting to see how the rail is changed fron 85 pound to 120 pound rail. There is street running for eight blocks on "A" Street. The attached photos are on "A" Street.
I had been wondering about rail projects on the A-line since seeing a bunch of cars with new rail on them staged just north of the BNSF Willbridge yard a couple of weeks ago where BNSF and PNWR interchange. I will be coming up and taking a bunch of pictures of street running in Rainier soon, probably on Dec. 8 either before or after I hit the swap meet. Adam
A line Update The new rail has reached Rainier from the Ethanol distillery. The new rail is 136 pound rail that is replacing 85 pound rail. The rail is going as far as Columbia City as the rest of the line is 12o pound rail to Portland.
So is anyone catching a few pictures of the action? What is there these days, as far as shippers west of Rainier? Boxcab E50
Well, at least this one is getting some love, all the line to Hull-Oakes is getting is spurned.......
I had seen these all staged at the Willbridge Yard prior to the track work. I had been wondering if something was cooking on the A-Line.
The job is mostly done but there is still some small projects here and there. Some ties need replaced too. I was surprised they didn't replace ties as the rail was replaced.
Perhaps a crew will follow with ties, when the warmer, (hopefully drier?), days come. If so, another photo opportunity? Boxcab E50
