Western Railroad Discussion > Where BNSF horsepower may spook your horse

I decided last evening, Tuesday, July 26, 2016, to check out the Flint Hills Nature Trail where the trail runs parallel to the BNSF Railway's transcon route (Emporia Sub.) in the Richter community west of Ottawa, Kan. The trail and the BNSF line are parallel for only about 3-plus miles, beginning east of Pomona, Kan., 

I only had to wait about 10 minutes before a 2x2 eastbound BNSF empty grain train raced past.

The Flint Hills Nature Trail is located on the former Union Pacific Railroad/ex-Missouri Pacific Railroad line that extended west to Pueblo, Colo. The trail has been established  for about 125 miles between Osawatomie, Kan., and Herington, Kan., but only a few segments have been improved for pedestrians and horsemen. Two of the nicest trail segments are on both sides of Ottawa.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/16 07:20 by JoCoLB.

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A nice surprise was seeing a silver and red Warbonnet as one of the rear DPUs.

This is the only train I photographed as my wife and I had to hurry away for a non-railfan activity in nearby Ottawa.

(Photos by Larry Byers, July 26, 2016) 

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If JJ Hill saw that dip in the right of way he would be screaming bloody
murder from St. Paul to Seattle untill it was filled back in and leveled. 

In the late 1960's I drove and reported to Ft. Hood in Texas. In places the highway  followed the old C&S in Northern TX.  Growing up along the NP and GN with the classic cut and fill method to make a steady grade, I could not believe it.  Looked like the tracks were laid over the sod.  Slack action much?

Tim L

BN31349 Wrote:
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> In the late 1960's I drove and reported to Ft.
> Hood in Texas. In places the highway  followed
> the old C&S in Northern TX.  Growing up along
> the NP and GN with the classic cut and fill method
> to make a steady grade, I could not believe it. 
> Looked like the tracks were laid over the sod. 
> Slack action much?
>
> Tim L

Not so much. It's all uphill:)

Nice photos of the trail and trains. I just finished riding the Katy Trail across Missouri, this might be a candidate for another future bike ride.

Ride both ways east and west out of Ottawa. You also can ride the longer Prairie Spirit Trail south out of Ottawa.  Both trails have great scenery.

I think BN is talking about Decatur Tx to almost Wichita Falls which is really a hilly up and down railroad as many pictures on this forum have documented.'

In regards to the  MP r.o.w. and now a trail for no motorized vehicles:   where did all those tire tracks come from!

Personnel who do inspections and assigned maintenance.

I like the sign in the photos saying No Motor Vehicles with
tire tracks on the ground under the sign!!

Mike

I do know there have already been medical emergencies and even deaths on the trail, requiring first responders and law enforcement investigators in vehicles.