Bridge Washout in Topeka KS. May 6, 2007

This was sent to be by ARM member Don McCardle.
Pictures below.

FORT RILEY, Kan. - This weekend's round of rainstorms and tornadoes have affected operations by BNSF and UP, and caused the cancellation or rerouting of Amtrak trains. The storms and flooding forced hundreds of people from their homes early Monday and blocked streets and highways across the Central Plains. UP reported that the strong storms impacted the railroad across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, and that customers should expect 48-hour delays to their shipments. Current weather patterns could produce record river stages and additional flooding in some of these areas.

A bridge inundated by floodwaters collapsed under the weight of an empty Union Pacific coal train near the Grant Avenue gate on the U.S. Army's Fort Riley base on May 6. Military traffic was being rerouted around the base's western gates as the railroad cleaned up the wreck. Fort Riley is west of Topeka, Kan. The bridge collapsed as the lead two diesels rolled over the bridge, with the rear end of the lead unit falling onto the second locomotive, which was nearly cut in half by the weight of the locomotive and ended up partially in the water. The engineer and conductor were both taken to Geary County Community Hospital with minor injuries, Topeka's ABC News 49 reported.

Also in Kansas, BNSF reported two washouts its Topeka Subdivision, one between milepost 63.6 and milepost 63.8 that had water reported over the rail coming from a nearby lake and a plugged culvert. The second washout was reported between milepost 110.0 and milepost 110.2. As a result, Amtrak Train 4, the eastbound Los Angeles to Chicago Southwest Chief, was detoured over BNSF's Emporia Subdivision, missing stops at Topeka and Lawrence, Kan. There were no passengers on board for the missed stops, and passengers boarding at Topeka and Lawrence were taxied to Kansas City.

Train 3, the westbound Chief, was held at Topeka for an open track. After an inspection of the washout at MP 110.1, the locomotives were wyed, ran around the train, and proceeded back toward Kansas City to detour on Emporia Subdivision. At Kansas City's Santa Fe Jct., the locomotives were wyed again and ran around the train to proceed west on the detour. The train was delayed at Argentine Yard waiting for a new crew from Kansas City because the crew's time had expired on hours of service, then the train was delayed again on a wye by freight traffic. Stops at Lawrence and Topeka were already made, so there were no missed stops.

Coach passengers on No. 3 were provided with snack packs on the return move from Topeka, complimentary dinner on May 7, and complimentary lunch and dinner today. BNSF advised there were additional washouts on the Topeka Subdivision between MP 85.9 and 86.2 and the track would not be restored for trains 3 and 4 today, so they are being detoured on the Emporia Subdivision again. Also in Kansas, on May 5, BNSF reported a commercial power outage effecting signals on the La Junta Subdivision for 56 miles beginning 27 miles east of Dodge City between Offerle and St. John. The outage was caused by a tornado that touched down near St. John. Trains operated through the area flagging blocks until BNSF could restore service on May 7.

In Nebraska, BNSF reported three washouts on their Hastings Subdivision west of Lincoln on May 6, between milepost 69.4 near Denton and milepost 76.2 at Berks. The railroad's initial estimate for track opening was between 2:00 and 2:30 a.m. on May 6, which was extended to between 3 and 3:30 a.m. At 3:08 a.m. work was suspended due to another flash flood.

On May 7, Union Pacific reported that its River Subdivision west of Jefferson City, Mo., toward Kansas City was closing due to high water over the tracks. Freight trains would be detoured over the Sedalia Subdivision, which is to the south of the River Subdivision. Amtrak trains between Jefferson City and Kansas City also use the line. Since UP anticipated freight congestion on Sedalia Subdivision, the railroad asked Amtrak to make service adjustments to accommodate the freight traffic. As a result Trains 313 and 314 between St. Louis and Kansas City were cancelled today with alternate transportation provided. Train 311 today operated from St. Louis to Jefferson City, Mo. where it terminated and passengers were provided with alternate transportation to Kansas City. Train 316 originated at Jefferson City with passengers provided alternate transportation between Kansas City and Jefferson City.

[ Home ] [ Ponderosa North Model Railroad Club ] [ Model Rail News]
[ Arizona Rail Calendar ] [Tips & Tricks]
[ E-mail the webmaster ]