Western Railroad Discussion > new section of BNSF double track in Kansas now in use

As we expected, now that the newest section of BNSF double track on the transcon in the Kansas Flint Hills via El Dorado, Cassoday, and Matfield Green has went into service we are definitely seeing a significant reduction on traffic through Wichita; Still seeing an occasional grain train and of course the locally-driven traffic (Spirit Aerosystems Boeing 737 fusalages for example) but it has been awhile since I have seen a double-stack through here.  Hard to believe that the $200 million+ overpass project through Wichita that both BNSF and UP helped pay for is now fifteen years old and will see a reduction in activity, I understand that it was engineered to be able to handle a third main I doubt that will ever happen now.  

It was fun while it lasted, but economics are that it is less distance to route everything via the newly double-tracked route east of Wichita.
Dan in Wichita
on the ATSF Arkansas City Subdivision

I remember when I hired out in ‘78. It was common knowledge that the Santa Fe had been considering double tracking the 4th District (Ellinor to Wellington) for a long time. Supt Duncan told me in early 1981 that the DT would be up and running by 1985. But they just never could pull the trigger. Now that BNSF has done the deed I feel equal helpings of pride & melancholy. As a rail I can say “Hey, my old territory is now 2 main tracks of BIG TIME railroading all the way through Kansas“! But as a railfan photographer I know nothing will ever be the same. I can no longer go down there with full confidence that I’ll bag every train like we used to do back in the 80s. Even with a line-up to work with, it’s a 98% cinch that the DT will cause a shooter to miss a train now and then…

As for the route thru Wichita… yeah, it won’t be the directional running bonanza we got spoiled with these past several years. But that route will always be an ACE up BNSF’s sleeve in times of derailments or big M.O.W. projects…

Posted from iPhone

Perhaps though we may see an extension of the Heartland Flyer through Wichita someday.  A lot of things have to happen, not to mention money BNSF would want, but stranger things have happened.

I don’t work for the railroad; I’m just a very interested observer living near the Ark City Subdivision and a few miles from the Emporia Subdivision. You’re right—I’ve noticed a lot more trains on the Emporia Sub since the double track opened. I also check Virtual Railfan’s Wichita webcam several times a day. Occasionally, I still see Transcon intermodal stack trains pass through, but I suspect it happens when BNSF dispatchers need to move a low-priority train to clear the way for a higher-priority one or there is a MOW effort underway on the Emporia—just a guess.

Also, during the recent snow in Kansas City, BNSF reportedly struggled with moving trains, having rested crews, and getting fresh crews to trains. We saw a few intermodal trains pass through Wichita, likely to be parked somewhere between here and Emporia or Kansas City....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/25 07:43 by billnict.