Western Railroad Discussion > ol' fashioned train wreck on the BNSF at Aurora, IL

No. 5 currently backing-up eastward through Downer's Grove. Photo courtesy WGN-TV.

BB

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Video at http://wgntv.com/2018/05/24/multi-car-freight-train-derailment-reported-in-aurora/ It's about 16 minutes long, taken from a helicopter. It shows views from all directions.


This is where a two-track main joins a three-track main. All three tracks are blocked.

John

wa4umr Wrote:
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> Video at
> http://wgntv.com/2018/05/24/multi-car-freight-trai
> n-derailment-reported-in-aurora/ It's about 16
> minutes long, taken from a helicopter. It shows
> views from all directions.
>
>
> This is where a two-track main joins a three-track
> main. All three tracks are blocked.
>
> John

Except, isn't this all west of the METRA operation in Aurora? Thus, METRA commute operations will not be greatly affected.

HotWater Wrote:
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> wa4umr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Video at
> >
> http://wgntv.com/2018/05/24/multi-car-freight-trai
>
> > n-derailment-reported-in-aurora/ It's about 16
> > minutes long, taken from a helicopter. It
> shows
> > views from all directions.
> >
> >
> > This is where a two-track main joins a
> three-track
> > main. All three tracks are blocked.
> >
> > John
>
> Except, isn't this all west of the METRA operation
> in Aurora? Thus, METRA commute operations will not
> be greatly affected.

The Derailment site is Just a tiny bit East of the big junction at Aurora IL where the Aurora and Mendota subs join for
the run into Chicago on Chicago Race track BNSF Chicago sub.
The Metra commuter trains on BNSF former CBQ racetrack sould NOT be affected to or from Chicago IL.
---Daniel

Looks like it is a train heading/from La Crosse. Just what they needed (not!) as the BNSF around La Crosse has been plugged with trains waiting on crews from Alma - DeSoto (WI) all day. Looking like it is 2014/2015 again with parked trains along the river.

Looks sort of grim Bill! Hope they get it cleaned up quickly.

Larry



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/18 16:44 by Ritzville.

as the BNSF around La Crosse has been plugged with trains waiting on
> crews from Alma - DeSoto (WI) all day. Looking
> like it is 2014/2015 again with parked trains
> along the river.

With that traffic jam would the BNSF consider routing the NW Z trains via Lincoln-Alliance-Billings?

BB

BB, not sure here what era of "ol' fashion" you are meaning, but it's not "ol' fashion" enough for me. There aren't local adults and kids standing at the scene, on top of the wreckage, etc., but the zig-zag fashion of the cars does resemble many pile ups of the past. Thanks for the showing!

rrman6 Wrote:
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> BB, not sure here what era of "ol' fashion" you
> are meaning, but it's not "ol' fashion" enough for
> me. There aren't local adults and kids standing
> at the scene, on top of the wreckage, etc., but
> the zig-zag fashion of the cars does resemble many
> pile ups of the past. Thanks for the showing!

All Train wrecks are bad and certainly disruptive. At least (from reports) there are no injuries, no propertiy damage outside the right of way, no fire or explosion, and no hazmat issues. That’s good news.

BB

Amtrak # 3 & # 5 expected 7 hours late through the area on the way to Galesburg.

From the 'copter footage link above looks like 8 cars derailed toward the rear of the train (4 60' box, 4 tank) in one section plus a smaller still coupled pair a few cars back...

The derailed tank cars appear to be the type that commonly carry corn syrup but the one just after them (upright and inline) is 33K LPG type (and the fire dept keeping an eye on that one).

The power is BNSF C44-9Ws 4120 (H2 paint showing fire damage it has had since 2011 per other online photos) and 1000 (still in original H1 paint)...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/18 10:49 by CSX602.

Reports on local lists indicate the Aurora Sub is already reopened and the Mendota Sub is expected to be reopened by 7 pm this evening.

kevink Wrote:
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> Reports on local lists indicate the Aurora Sub is
> already reopened and the Mendota Sub is expected
> to be reopened by 7 pm this evening.


That's impressive.

The absence of deaths, injuries, and haz-mat is probably a huge benefit to the responders