Northwestern Pacific Railroad Network

Dedicated to Sharing the Heritage of Redwood Empire Railroading

Looks like SMART is going to buy a drawbridge to replace the Haystack bridge

Santa Rosa Press Democrat Article looks like it will give a longer life, than fixing the current bridge

Views: 583

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by d kosdrosky on February 13, 2012 at 7:26pm

Here it is on google street view http://g.co/maps/mn96n

Permalink Reply by Carl O'Connor on February 13, 2012 at 8:08pm

I wonder if the NWP will haul the bridge to petaluma from napa and how long will it take to build the new bridge. I cant see it working well if the bridge is down for long for customers like dairymens who depend on thier rail shipments.

 

Permalink Reply by P&SRkid on February 13, 2012 at 8:27pm
If there is 3 trains a week that gives two days to instal a reletivly small bridge. There's plenty of time.
Permalink Reply by Keith Ode on February 14, 2012 at 4:34pm

I don't think so.   They have to remove the old bridge first.   I'd think it would take a lot longer, especially if they widen the canal there.

Permalink Reply by Steve Atnip on February 13, 2012 at 8:56pm

I'm guessing they will barge it, or at least major components. That was until I read the article duh!

Permalink Reply by HUTCH 7.62 on February 15, 2012 at 7:10pm

I would think they would build the new bridge next to the old one.

Permalink Reply by Dave S. on February 17, 2012 at 1:09pm

Normally this would be a good idea, but I see challenges in this particular situation.  That whole area around Haystack is considered tidal wetlands and multiple government agencies are out to protect it.  For example, I believe it is still true that if you want to develop on one acre, you need to create four new acres of wetlands elsewhere to compensate.  The second issue, is space.  On the south side of that river crossing there isn't really any room for a second alignment in parallel with Haystack, but outside its turning radius.

 

I'm also very interested in knowing how this replacement bridge will be installed, and it's effect on NWP service to its customers -- ALL of which are north of Haystack!

Permalink Reply by Keith Ode on February 18, 2012 at 11:58pm

That would require grading and laying a parallel track over wetlands.   Not likely and a very expensive option.   If they can shut down the NWP for 18 days, that's the window they need to rip out the old bridge and put in the new one.

Permalink Reply by Mike Davis on February 13, 2012 at 8:54pm

In talking with the project manger, SMART is alowed to shut NWP down for a certin number of 18 day periods. Dureing these shut downs, SMART has to pay shippers the differnece between the cost for rail service and trucking. Don't quote me on this, I need to ask him again.

 

Mike Davis

Permalink Reply by Lawrence LaBranche on February 13, 2012 at 9:55pm

I wonder if it would be cheaper to store a bunch say 120-135 loaded grain cars north of the bridge with the storage costs plus locomotives vs trucks. It would be a pain for storing and movement. Extra locomotives would have to be used.

120 cars would be enough for 13 cars per train for nine days of actual runs.

135 cars = 15 cars for 9 runs.

108 cars = 12 cars for 9 runs.

Now those would be runs to go nuts over. I figure 18 days would be about 8 to 9 run days.

SS or related don't get very often, so they could preorder, and stock up on lumber.

Seeing the bridge coming in on the train, more photo fun!

BTW Thank you all for the photos and videos. I play the videos for my son Lionel on our 1st gen ATV. He loves them. Though some are too short. I do wish there was an easy search term to get them all.

Permalink Reply by Mike Davis on February 13, 2012 at 9:05pm

here is a google earth view of the replacement bridge

Permalink Reply by jordanism22 on February 13, 2012 at 9:12pm

I like how they spelled BNSF three different ways.

RSS

© 2012   Created by Mark Drury.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service