pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:449
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 | | 09/21/2008 1:34 PM |
| BNSF Maintenance Yard - Newton KS
This is the first time I have seen the Track Measurement units in Newton.
Turntable in Newton. The Roundhouse was torn down several years ago.
The Newton, KS Station. Amtrak stops here at 2:45-3:00 AM.
JimC.
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"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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Bryan Smith
1st Class Member
Erda,Utah
Foreman
Posts:186
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| | 09/24/2008 7:04 PM |
| JC, I found a photo on RailPictures.net website. and | |
Bryan Smith
Member of UGRS
Erda,Utah | |
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Dougald
Moderator
Foreman
Posts:427
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| | 09/25/2008 6:55 AM |
| Jim What maintenance work is actually done in the yard? Or is it just a depot for supplies and a base for work crews? The turntable that you pictured is interesting in its own right. I assume it has been left since steam days but what is it used for now as most diesels can run either direction equally? Regards ... Doug | |
Doug Matheson
Manotick Ontario
SA #122 | |
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aceinspp
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:673
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| | 10/06/2008 6:14 AM |
| | Basically it is just a yard for making up trains. Years ago the ATSF had a frog plant and rail mill there where they made all there switch material and also had a big material yard to provide for the system. I think it was sold to a contractor. I spent many a day in that yard making inspections. Newton was a division point at one time as they have a line that heads south through Witchita and on to OKC. Looks like since BN took over they have up graded some of the facilities. Later RJD | |
RJD Chief Engr D & S RR | |
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:449
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| | 10/06/2008 9:53 AM |
| RJD, Thanks for answering the question. I emailed a friend in Newton to get more info, but hadn't gotten a reply yet. I really didn't know the answer. JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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livesteam5629
1st Class Member
Elkton, MD
Foreman
Posts:128
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| | 10/07/2008 7:29 AM |
| Jim,
Is the road to the left of the station in your last photo US 81? I have been by that point at least a dozen times on my way to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio before the days of the interstate.
Noel | |
Noel Crawford | |
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aceinspp
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:673
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| | 10/07/2008 4:18 PM |
| | Jim glade to furnish some info. I know at one time the east and west bound Amtrak trains use to meet around Hutchinson Ks. I remember riding the head end to La junta, Co. on the west bound. I guess by now they have changed the times of arrival at Newton. Also rode Amtrak south from Newton to Ark city. Later RJD | |
RJD Chief Engr D & S RR | |
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:449
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| | 10/07/2008 7:58 PM |
| Noel, Yes, the road is US 81. RJ, The current Amtrak times for East-West bound are E = 2:45AM. W = 3:10AM. On the recent trip to Chicago that Susie and I took, we departed/arrived at Newton at those times. Amtrak no longer takes a North-South route out of Newton. HOWEVER, the Kansas Legislature and KDOT are considering the reestablishment of an Amtrak line [Heartland Flyer] from KC, to Emporia, Newton, Wichita, ArkCity, Winfield, and south into OKC and eventually to FortWorth. The Oklahoma - Texas portion is already in place. JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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Steve Stockham
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:324
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| | 10/08/2008 11:51 AM |
| | Newton is a wonderful place to see a plethora of different motive power and paint schemes. In addition to the "Warbonnet" and the blue and gold Santa Fe units, it's not uncommon to see the green and black Burlington Northern as well as the "Pumpkin" BNSF units with green lettering and the ones with yellow lettering all on the same train! (Yes, it actually happened last year as I was heading to Wichita for our monthly WAGRS meeting.) I had seen this happen before so it was expected but I did a double-take when I saw a UP unit in there as well! What the......?!! I asked a UP guy when I was servicing their fire extinguishers over in Herington, KS and he knew of the unit I was referring to and told me that it was "leased" to the BNSF (hmm....imagine that!)
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John J
Moderator
Conductor
Posts:765
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| | 10/08/2008 5:55 PM |
| | Can you see a lot at Newton or is the yard closed in? Maybe next year We leave at 3 am tueday. spend some of wednesday in Newton then on to Marty's | |
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Warbonnet
1st Class Member
Thornton, Colorado
Brakeman
Posts:15
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| | 10/08/2008 9:09 PM |
| | Those two maintainance cars were west of Wiggins, Colo. this afternoon at 15:30 headed for Denver. Jake | |
Jake Bennett
Elk River & Western RR | |
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Steve Stockham
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:324
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| | 10/09/2008 11:15 AM |
| Hey JJ, you can get right up close and get some really nice views! There's at least seven good stops that I know of (and probably more!) | |
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aceinspp
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:673
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| | 10/10/2008 2:18 PM |
| | Jim The state has been talking the Amtrak route through Wichita for years. Even when I lived there they wanted Amtrak back. States are going to have to come up with some bucks or you will never see. Later RJD | |
RJD Chief Engr D & S RR | |
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Foreman
Posts:449
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| | 10/10/2008 7:10 PM |
| RJ, Things are looking up in that respect. This time, I think it will be funded. Steve S., you have been reading some of the info too. What is your opinion. Oklahoma is also supporting the extended line. JimC. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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Steve Stockham
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:324
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| | 10/10/2008 7:27 PM |
| I am in favor of the idea wholeheartedly! In fact, I signed the petition requesting that the state re-evaluate their position. I received a nice form letter that said essentially "Don't hold your breath." | |
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blackburn49
1st Class Member
Copper Center, Alaska
Engineer
Posts:1855
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| | 10/16/2008 4:49 PM |
| | Thank you for the great pictures. Since BNSF and ATSF are two of my chosen mainline railroads (part of my ongoing Phase II project) I greatly appreciate seeing current images of this modern-day railroad operation. | |
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aceinspp
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:673
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| | 10/16/2008 5:14 PM |
| | Yes you got to get all the sates to agree if not it's a no go.Ridership on this route has never been great. Hard to justify the new route. Later RJD | |
RJD Chief Engr D & S RR | |
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