Western Railroad Discussion > Mojave heat

Given this week's super hot temperatures in the desert (122+ degrees, reaching 125 in Needles!), has the BNSF line had any heat restrictions?  

Most likely. We had heat restrictions on UP in Colorado.

Posted from Android

Speed restrictions for Heat are triggered at 110 degrees on the BNSF.

coach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Given this week's super hot temperatures in the
> desert (122+ degrees, reaching 125 in Needles!),
> has the BNSF line had any heat restrictions?

Each of BNSF's subdivisions, with the exception of some branch line subs., have standing instructions
governing hot and cold weather. Their Item 1(D) Temperature Restrictions list maximum speeds
for freight (and passenger, if scheduled) and add the following: "If temperature exceeds the range in
the chart below, the Engineering Department will determine if further restrictions are necessary and
issue a Track Bulletin." I would guess plenty of Track Bulletins are being issued recently.

Charlie
 

I've been in Williams for last three days and today have moved onto Gallup. Railroad has been very busy 4 trains in last 20 mins while we eat lunch. Passed 5 EB stopped back to back east of Winslow due to a MOW truck on the tracks.

Car says 96* outside but trains are moving at track speed.

A little congested yesterday when an EB stack train died at Maine.

Posted from iPhone

cewherry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Each of BNSF's subdivisions, with the exception of
> some branch line subs., have standing
> instructions
> governing hot and cold weather. Their Item 1(D)
> Temperature Restrictions list maximum speeds
> for freight (and passenger, if scheduled) and add
> the following: "If temperature exceeds the range
> in
> the chart below, the Engineering Department will
> determine if further restrictions are necessary
> and
> issue a Track Bulletin." I would guess plenty of
> Track Bulletins are being issued recently.
>
> Charlie
>  



Item 1(D) "Speed - Other" of the current BNSF Needles Sub Timetable shows no permanent speed related operating restrictions based on excessive ambient air temperature.

What BNSF typically does though is increase track regional inspections as temperatures exceed 110-115°. If misalignment is expected due to expanded metal, then temporary local speed restriction bulletins may be issued until a fix or repair can be implemented.

~ Mr. MRL

It's no big deal, just add a 1/4 mile between stations on your timetable and things will be fine! One thing
I did notice the other day, the power up the hill out of Needles was definitely breathing hard!

Out

Sounds like they're dealing with some tight rail or misalignment at Valentine.

callum_out Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's no big deal, just add a 1/4 mile between
> stations on your timetable and things will be
> fine! One thing
> I did notice the other day, the power up the hill
> out of Needles was definitely breathing hard!
>
> Out

In the desert heat, the locos often overheat and then derate, slowing the trains and sometimes causing non-Z trains to stall on the grades.

mapboy

MrMRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> cewherry Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > Each of BNSF's subdivisions, with the exception
> of
> > some branch line subs., have standing
> > instructions
> > governing hot and cold weather. Their Item 1(D)
> > Temperature Restrictions list maximum speeds
> > for freight (and passenger, if scheduled) and
> add
> > the following: "If temperature exceeds the
> range
> > in
> > the chart below, the Engineering Department
> will
> > determine if further restrictions are necessary
> > and
> > issue a Track Bulletin." I would guess plenty
> of
> > Track Bulletins are being issued recently.
> >
> > Charlie
> >  
>
>
>
> Item 1(D) "Speed - Other" of the current BNSF
> Needles Sub Timetable shows no permanent speed
> related operating restrictions based on excessive
> ambient air temperature.
>
> What BNSF typically does though is increase track
> regional inspections as temperatures exceed
> 110-115°. If misalignment is expected due to
> expanded metal, then temporary local speed
> restriction bulletins may be issued until a fix or
> repair can be implemented.
>
> ~ Mr. MRL

I think the hot temp restrictions came out in a general order for each subdivision. Restrictions don't start until the air temp gets to 110. Then it goes by the trains overall TOB to figure what your speed is.

CS

just drove through needles at 1210 today. 117 degrees.....

66