New Diamond at Durand!?!

[bnsfben]

A new diamond at Durand? Does anybody have conformation?

[SD80MAC]

They've been talking about replacing the diamond ever since I started going there back in 2004, would be nice to see it finally happen. They installed one of those "silent" diamonds at Cedar in Lansing where the NS crosses CN about a year ago, though I believe that one has flangeways cut in both directions.

[leo28150]

I like when J is dispatching as he gives you lots of info with what he is doing compared to other dispatchers'

I would think that CN would keep the speed limits thru town the same account of the curve just west of the diamond; when CN replaced the diamonds at Cedar, while they took the speed restriction on the diamond off,they kept the track speed the same west of there account of the curves.

[TrainNut85]

From what I'm hearing they are suppose to do it this summer, but its like you said bnsfben, it may or may not happen. I can also agree with you on the quiet zone in Durand, it needs to be abolished. Who doesn't like horns? If you don't like the sound of them, MOVE!

[Racer]

.....If they actually replace the diamond this summer.....it's about freaking time! I hope they will fix that "sunken" spot on the east side of the diamond so I don't have't to see CN 148's well cars bottoming-out on the rails again!

[chico]

In the industry these kinds of diamonds are known as "OWLS"

One
Way
Low
Speed

here's a closeup of one, installed on the BNSF near Prairie Du Chein, WI., where the old Q crosses the WSOR ex-Milw line from Madison to the Mississippi:

http://www.heartlandrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=587

Saves big $$ on MOW..

Chico
http://www.heartlandrails.com

[AARR]

I'm always surprised there have not been serious accidents at the Durand crossing. Maybe it's just my eyes playing tricks on me but it seems some of the wheels on the E-W trains get airborn jumping across the diamond

[Justin]

That whole quiet zone cracks me up as well, I always compare this to Fostoria, way more trains and not a quiet zone, and they do not just toot the horns down there either whether day or night, if you have seen my eerie train horn video of the EB NS through there, he does not waste one blast at all, and this guy came through at around midnight. Personally I don't think the quiet zones are too safe as we know how drivers are when it comes to RR Crossings, yes they have signs saying No Train Horn but me I would much rather have the audible warning as well as the visual, trains are much too big to not have adaquate warning.

[jukeman45]

[AARR]

[bnsfben]

You guys are right.

[AARR]

Good edit to the original post, bnsfben