Don't worry folks. The Kansas City Northern Railroad aka the Line Creek Train is not going anywhere. It just needed some TLC.
I don't know if those of you that ride the train have noticed but the south bank of the East Fork of Line Creek had been eroding near the tunnel so the train was in jeopardy. The track also was in the way of the proposed improvements to Waukomis Drive (which I just realized I haven't blogged about and overview PDF can be found here).
Work is underway this off-season to relocate the tracks and to stabilize the stream bank. This is a picture looking west at the restored stream bank. We lost some trees but don't worry we'll have wild sycamores and cottonwoods sprouting up in no time. I don't know how many capital projects (ex #1 NW 72nd extension to Green Hills) I've specified street trees which have been eclipsed in growth by wild trees sprouting from seeds.
The volunteers at the KC Northern Railroad are a dedicated group and are putting in the blood, sweat, and tears to bend the track back into place. We wouldn't have this wonderful treasure if it wasn't for the guys that have dedicated their time to this track. Everyone who's ever rode that track owes a great deal of thanks to them.
The rough grading is complete and the rock base is in place. This is looking from the tunnel east towards Waukomis.
I'm such a nerd that I actually took a semester class at the University of Illinois on railroad engineering and it's rather amazing how railroad tracks are a very simple design which hasn't changed in 150+ years. Wood or concrete beams hold rails, rock base distributes the load, and steel handles the daily grinding and friction of rail cars. It doesn't matter the size or width of the railroad--the technology is still the same.
Once they get the rails nailed into the wood timbers, more rock will be added to stabilize the rails. This is looking east from the tunnel towards Waukomis.
I also took a picture of the arch bridge on Waukomis Drive which once was the Kansas City to St. Joseph Interurban Railroad (in case you're confused, check this out). This arch was built in the 1910's. I tried finding a video to explain why railroad bridges will last 100+ years and road bridges really only last 50 years but couldn't find one. In case you were wondering, we don't put destructive ice salt on railroad bridges and trains weigh so much that the loading on a rail bridge is less destructive than a semi truck going over a road bridge.
You haven't experienced life on the edge unless you've rode a bike over one of these Waukomis bridges and been able to see the drop off towards instant death. I'd strongly recommend keeping both hands on the steering wheel through this area because there is no recovery zone if you stray outside the white lines. This is looking east from the north edge of the train tracks.
The track will be straightened along Waukomis but it appears to be slightly flatter than the old layout. I know sometimes in the hot summer the old engines slowed down a bit when going up the grade and around the curve in this area with a full train.
The railroad is also getting some expanded gravel parking. I don't know why everyone thinks gravel parking is unacceptable. It's the most pervious parking surface that can be installed which helps reduce storm water runoff and allows pollutants to infiltrate and be filtered rather than flowing straight into our water supply. It's also tons cheaper than asphalt. I guess over time too many blue hairs that their blue suede shoes get dusty....
The rain this week might have set things back but I know the kids are all interested and looking forward to opening weekend for the train. In case you are ever looking for something to do on Saturday or Sunday, it's the best entertainment for two trips around for 75 cents.
Comments