Western Railroad Discussion > NWP & Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Upgrades!

Back in October 2024 I got to check out the S.M.A.R.T. extension project into Windsor Depot in Windsor, California. From what I heard in mid-. I also did a 2 part video but both parts are too large to upload here, if you know how to find my work elsewhere it is there.

In late November they ran the first train North of Shiloh Road for a Emergency Response Training exercise.

Regards,

-Frank C.

Frank Christ
Cloverdale, CA
FranksRails Photography, LLC.

---

---

---

Love the shot of traffic circle. Must be pretty unique for a railroad crossing dead center.
JB

3rdswitch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Love the shot of traffic circle. Must be pretty
> unique for a railroad crossing dead center.
> JB

Yes, I agree.

A single crossing gate can block one way traffic. Anyone see any problems?

 

There are US precedents for the traffic circle with the RR.

railstiesballast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are US precedents for the traffic circle
> with the RR.

I'm sure, but how many are symmetrical?  Perhaps some examples need to be modified.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 3rdswitch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Love the shot of traffic circle. Must be pretty
> > unique for a railroad crossing dead center.
> > JB
>
> Yes, I agree.
>
> A single crossing gate can block one way traffic.
> Anyone see any problems?
>
The light rail line through Mesa, AZ, also runs through a roundabout/rotary. 
>  

Any idea if NWP would have any customers up there? I know there is talks of there being a connection restored to Syar Industries near Healdsburg. Also Healdsburg would definitely serve as a good secondary yard for the NWP, especially if they can restore some to maybe handle transloading. Amazing documentation and great photos, can't wait to see full service back up there. 

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 3rdswitch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Love the shot of traffic circle. Must be pretty
> > unique for a railroad crossing dead center.
> > JB
>
> Yes, I agree.
>
> A single crossing gate can block one way traffic.
> Anyone see any problems?
>
>  

Well considering that the traffic flow is only in the counterclockwise direction, there shouldn't be a problem. If you look at the entrances to the traffic circle you're forced to turn right when you enter.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/25 15:00 by PHall.

That third shot is a good one for seeing how high these platforms are. Even though the track is not a grade yet, that platform is a ways up there.

I don't believe that is a platform location. Note the road above. 

The station/platform are behind the camera.

There used to be (still is?) a good brew-pub/wine bar in the green building on the corner.   Windsor is quite a nice little town.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/25 10:11 by Jesse6669.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 3rdswitch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Love the shot of traffic circle. Must be pretty
> > unique for a railroad crossing dead center.
> > JB
>
> Yes, I agree.
>
> A single crossing gate can block one way traffic.
> Anyone see any problems?

First problem I see is your lack of sight. I see two crossing gates for each direction of traffic that crosses the tracks.

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> First problem I see is your lack of sight. I see
> two crossing gates for each direction of traffic
> that crosses the tracks.

Nice to be around someone who can't help being sarcastic.

Yes I did miss the gates for the inner pavement which allows longer trucks to cut across the outer circle. I can see a gate runner taking advantage of the inner pavement if that did not have gates, too.  

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> longliveSP Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > First problem I see is your lack of sight. I
> see
> > two crossing gates for each direction of
> traffic
> > that crosses the tracks.
>
> Nice to be around someone who can't help being
> sarcastic.
>
> Yes I did miss the gates for the inner pavement
> which allows longer trucks to cut across the outer
> circle. I can see a gate runner taking advantage
> of the inner pavement if that did not have gates,
> too.  

Correcting your presumptuous mistake is not being sarcastic.

BrandonRC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any idea if NWP would have any customers up there?
> I know there is talks of there being a connection
> restored to Syar Industries near Healdsburg. Also
> Healdsburg would definitely serve as a good
> secondary yard for the NWP, especially if they can
> restore some to maybe handle transloading. Amazing
> documentation and great photos, can't wait to see
> full service back up there. 

We shall see what happens. Since the NWP is fully S.M.A.R.T. controlled now, it's ultimately up to them!

Regards,

-Frank C.

Frank Christ
Cloverdale, CA
FranksRails Photography, LLC.

czuleget Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't believe that is a platform location. Note
> the road above. 

The High Level Platform is seen in the distance in the 3rd photo.

Regards,

-Frank C.

Frank Christ
Cloverdale, CA
FranksRails Photography, LLC.

Jesse6669 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The station/platform are behind the camera.
>
> There used to be (still is?) a good brew-pub/wine
> bar in the green building on the corner.  
> Windsor is quite a nice little town.

I'm not sure if the brew-pub is still there.

Regards,

-Frank C.

Frank Christ
Cloverdale, CA
FranksRails Photography, LLC.

Jesse6669 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The station/platform are behind the camera.
>
> There used to be (still is?) a good brew-pub/wine
> bar in the green building on the corner.  
> Windsor is quite a nice little town.

The bar was called Patterson's when I was hanging out there. It looks like it's now The Publican. 

I always called the Town Green the chia town. It sprung up so fast when Windsor decided it needed a "downtown" area.  Plant some building seeds and add water.