Western Railroad Discussion > Amtrak Running Left-Handed by BNSF MoW

It was raining this morning in Agency, Iowa as BNSF Maintenance of Way was working on Main 2 of the Ottumwa Sub.  You can see in the distance crews have removed the road surface at the crossing in the distance as a ballast tamper move through into position.  From what I've seen, there's been a pair of tampers working their way westward near here this week.  I think the crossing was removed not just for the tampers to continue with their work but in particular to deal with a mud pump under the crossing.  This is the second time this year MoW has taken up this crossing.  I should find some pictures later.

Amtrak #6 soon comes by doing some left track running on Main 1.  After the California Zephyr passes, the tamper revs up again and eventually starts working its way along the track.

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Nice Doppler Affect with Amtrak horn.
Thanks for posting.
Regards, Jim Evans

1-2) Two before photos from Tuesday of the mud pump looking east from the crossing.

3) A before photo from Wednesday of the crossing looking south.

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And here are the after photos, all from Thursday.

4-5) Looking east at where the mud pump was (or still is).

6) Looking south at the crossing.  It was the boards on the south track that were taken up and put back.

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Love watching the tamper lift and tamp. It's striking how fast Amtrak came on scene. Just shows how important to have an alert watchman, lookout on site.