Mississippi River Flooding Affecting BNSF, CP?

I used to cover the BN/BNSF in Minneapolis, and the Soo Line in St Paul ('Pigs Eye Yard and diesel shops). Seeing the national news last night, I'ld venture that the "Pigs Eye Yard" and locomotive shops are about to get flooded, if they aren't already. I remember in years past, the Soo Line would have to remove all the big electric motors from the drop tables & turntable, prior to the flooding.

I have not followed the local news (my antenna doesn't receive so well), and have not been there to see for myself, I would, however, expect that there's issues. Here's an older overhead view of the area..

I haven't heard that the railroads have been effected yet. I do know that the roads along a short section next to the tracks are closed. Much of the area is protected by levees , but there are still some places where the river can get in. Could check the Empire Builder schedule to see if it's running.

 

Update: As of this morning, the Builder was still running. Also, the report is that the river has crested. So for now they have dodged this bullet, but more rain is expected Saturday.

The city of St Paul's website.

These pictures said they were taken yesterday. The water is just a little higher today.






The area that could get water is about two miles down stream from here, where Pigs Eye Lake could back up into the yard.

Thanks for the info.

You're welcome Tom. The all time record is 1965 at 26 ft. This crest is supposed to be 20.5. Second was 1969 at 24.5. Third was 2001 at 23.6, and fourth was 1997 at 22.4

Here's a 1965 photo. Much of the area has had improved flood control measures implemented since then.



It took a lot of searching, but the Army corps of Engineers had the magic number buried. 22.5 feet is when the yard closes. The mains may still be a little higher than that.

Tom,

Did you get my e-mail I sent earlier this week?

Mike

In the top photo, the long brick building on steel stilts.  What is it, what was it?

 

Nathan

That is the concourse of the newly recommissioned St Paul Union Depot, now serving the Amtrak Empire Builder as well as other transportation modes. There used to be more than a dozen tracks, now there are just 2. The ultimate hope is to have commuter rail service in the southeast metro share the platform. I don't think BNSF is going to sign on for any more anytime soon, not with the traffic backups due to the ND oil boom.

Looking closely, I have to assume the first photo is a bit earlier than the second. Note there is no grass visible in the second.

Having been there, the photos are two different locations.

Being a resident, I can promise that both images are of the same location. Second is just a longer shot. Note the SPUD concourse in the background.

Ahhh....so the first image is really, really zoomed in, that's why they look like different locations...

Both have to have been taken from the Robert St bridge. The first one is probably closer to the south end of the bridge, the second closer to the north end. They were clearly taken at different times, because the water level is lower in the first shot. The single tree and the power pole are good reference points.

 

For the record, I didn't take any those photos. I found them on a Google search.

June 26th from UP web site

Flooding Continues to Affect Operations

June 26, 2014 | 10:00 a.m. CDT

Several days' worth of adverse weather conditions continue to impact rail operations. Multiple washouts, flooding and mud slides have caused track outages and service interruptions in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas. Employees continue to diligently work to restore service to the affected areas.

Major interruptions update:

• Crews continue to repair damage at more than 35 locations on the Mankato Subdivision between St. Paul and Butterfield, Minnesota. Sections of the subdivision will remain closed for 10 days to two weeks as repairs are made and traffic rerouted.
• Select flood gates have been closed near St. Paul to protect against rising Mississippi River levels. While main lines near flood gates in St. Paul remain open, some industry leads are now closed.
• Following the repair of a bridge breach near Fairbault, Minnesota, service has been restored on the Albert Lea Subdivision.
• Washouts on the Sanderson Subdivision between Alpine and Del Rio, Texas, interrupted service early this week. Limited service has been restored as employees continue to make repairs.

These episodic service interruptions and weather issues coincide with continued interline connectivity challenges and strong customer demand. The interruptions impact local operations and network velocity and fluidity.

Investments in surge resources and network capacity are invaluable while working through weather challenges, service interruptions and increased demand. In addition, UP has doubled the Train, Engine and Yard (TE&Y) employee hiring rate and created a pipeline of additional locomotives, both of which will become available throughout the remainder of 2014 and early 2015. UP also continues to work closely with its connecting railroads to improve interchange fluidity.

 

 

 

Dan

I just drove by Downtown St Paul and caught a glimpse of the tracks as I flew by on the freeway. Something is wrong, but it may not be water related. The eastbound Empire Builder and at least 3 freights were just sitting there at the wye. Amtrak says it is 3 and a half hours late to Red Wing. If that is the case, they might already be moving again. If not they're going to be later than that.

The yard didn't close during this most recent event. They escaped with two feet to spare.

 

In the nearly 150 years that they have been measuring the level of the river, and the 100+ years that the yard has been there, it has only been flooded 3 times. Only the 2001 flood was on the CP's watch. The yard was originally owned by the Milwaukee Road.

 

You may not love CP's current management, but I'm not sure what you want them to do about problem that doesn't really exist.