The Fuzzy World 3um

Work began last week on the new CN bridge across Hwy. 41 here in Fondy. The Hickory street ramps are being rebuilt, and the bridge needs to be replaced.
Also, CN is building a connector to the Ex-CNW Clyman branch(now an industrial lead) to re-route traffic while construction coninues.
The connector leaves the main line at Valley warehousing, crosses Hickory St.(south of the construction area) continues thru the industrial park, and hooks up with the spur near the West Frontage road. The line then uses the old Clyman line to get into/out of Fondy.
Gonna be slow going on that connector track. For the last 15+ yrs, it's been just a spur to a warehouse built next to the Wild Goose Trail.
After construction is completed, the track may remain in place, as several firms have expressed interest in rail service, including my drywall supplier, Badgerland Drywall.

Well, get your camera ready... you can be the first to get photos of any derailments that'll likely occur!

Wow, that's great, I just love it when a plan comes together! This ought to be interesting, and definitely worth spending a few days up yonder.

I updated and modified a map I made for another post on the 3um. Judging from the lay of the land, and Jim's description of the new tracks, I think I've got it right.

Another bridge being redone. But this is one, I believe, going over the tracks on highway 10.
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880910018

Interesting. Ummm... Why? It appears that the highway already passes over the tracks, and this on a relatively new expressway/freeway alignment for US-10: Aerial View

How much are they going to grade out? If the tracks go where you think they are going, they will be cutting through a few ponds.


I don't think they'll be able to use the recycling spur, it would just be easier to lay a new line south of that where there is that small strip that you can see...

Steve

I think the line will go on that strip of land just south of the ponds. Shouldn't be a problem, most of that looks flat. I might have the opportunity to check it out sometime today, we'll see if anything is different from the aerial photo.

-Fuzzy in the Town of Mad (actually, just west of there, but close enough )

I recall about 8-10 years ago casually talking to a WC worker when I was in the southern part of FdL and he told me that the plan THEN was to install a new double-track bridge over US 41 for the mainline (is the actual new one two tracks?), remove the old CNW bridge over US 41 and use both the old SOO and CNW bridges to build a double-track grade separation for the mainline over an upgraded Pioneer Rd. That 'temporary' mainline bypass track appears to me to fit in with those plans.

Is that still the plan? Also, how long will this mainline bypass be active?

GET LOTS OF PHOTOS AND VIDEO! PLEASE!



Also, the work being done on US 10 just west of Appleton is routine stuff on new roads that are about 5-10 years old (this highway opened in December, 2003), just jacking up some concrete on its bridge approaches where its supporting fill has settled and packed down a bit.

Mike

Yep, Fuzzy's got it right, on both the picture and the map. Only one new grade crosing involved(on South Hickory St.) My drywall supplier is that building to the left of approximately where the switch from the main line would be.

Haven't heard if the new bridge will be double tracked. Probably not, due to the sidings for International Paper, and Valley Siding is long enough already. It also depends on how much room they have after the Hickory St. ramps are put in.

If any of you pass that area, all you'll see now are the caissons that they're putting up for the concrete forms of the new bridge.
And as far as the ex-CNW bridge, the county and state would LOVE to get rid of it....during the floods in June, that's the reason Hwy. 41 was shut down.

Wow -- that's really interesting! I've been wondering about this project for a couple weeks... it looks like the mainline bridge piers going in could accommodate two tracks.

So with this temporary arrangement, Valley interlocking would essentially be out of service, yes? And the siding too?


I can recommend Jim for anyone in the area who needs drywall work

I stopped up in the area yesterday, and that is indeed where the temporary/permanent? track is going. Most of it is already constructed, though a backhoe was digging out a trench in Hickory Street for the track sub-structure.

Keep us posted, I would love to be up that way for some of the first mainline trains!

This could be a good reason for me to head down south to Fondy. Since this is really one of those things that is once in a lifetime I think it will be one of my goals to catch at least one train on the "temporary" tracks.

Photos (not particularly descriptive, but you get the general idea):
www.fuzzyworld3.com/fuzzyphpfoto/rt13/da.htm
www.fuzzyworld3.com/fuzzyphpfoto/rt13/db.htm
www.fuzzyworld3.com/fuzzyphpfoto/rt13/dc.htm
www.fuzzyworld3.com/fuzzyphpfoto/rt13/dd.htm

Unless they build a crossover Valley Siding will not be usable. That might get interesting as they will usually hold a few trains on it until there is room in Shops...