This is a Big Deal by bmac62
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Description
Took this photo from a couple of miles away from a vantage point on top of the 216 foot high Liberty Memorial tower in Kansas City.
To me it was at first just an interesting railroad intersection. But as I did a little research I came to see that this recently completed "Flyover" is in truth a BIG DEAL.
Here's why: What you see above is a $60-million flyover [bridge]. It carries the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) rail line on the top level of this triple-decker rail crossing. Union Pacific's rehabilitated bridge occupies the middle level, while another BNSF junction is at grade [ground level]. As many as 135 or more BNSF trains a day now can pass over each other at Santa Fe Junction without delay.
This is the result of an unprecedented joint venture of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern, Gateway Western, and I&M Rail Link--and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Corporation.
This is a major North-South and East-West junction right in the geographic center of the USA. Freight rail speed had been 15mph approaching this intersection. With the bottleneck gone, freight trains can now roll at a constant 50mph.
Cooperation...not just competition! Yay.
Now...if I just had captured trains on the top two levels too...it must happen sometime! LOL
Bill:)
"Remembrance Being Photographed"
Comments (40)
kbrog
From this distance it almost looks like a model train set. ;) Well captured!
durleybeachbum
Extraordinary! Great to know that can happen!
MagikUnicorn
I love train you capture a wonderful view
kenmo
You certainly have an eye for very interesting subject matter... Brilliant as always....
blinkings
All those angles create a very pleasing photo Bill, and great info too.
sandra46
superlative image as usual!!!
Faemike55
Wonderful capture! very interesting information
jmb007
interessant,bonne photo!!
Str4wB34ry
Fabulous piece of civil engineering, Casey Jones would have approved.
tennesseecowgirl
Very cool shot~ Interesting to read about as well.
drace68
Keen stuff, Bill. And here I thought tri-level highway bridges were a big deal.
MrsRatbag
I guess you'd just have to stake a spot and sit there for some time to get that elusive three-layer shot! Nicely done with one, though!
Kaartijer
Awesome view, Bill!
RodS
OK, Bill - you've given me something to keep my eyes peeled for. Three levels of trains - that would be incredibly cool! If I remember correctly, there used to be an old round-house there before they built those flyovers. I would have loved to have been able to get some photos, but didn't have any contacts at BNSF. Oh, well.... Wonderful shot of this!
dbrv6
Time is money indeed. Not to mention an advantage to hauling freight by other means. Great shot!
jocko500
wow look like a ness to me. I would get confuse here for sure and take the wrong road
auntietk
Well! That's WAY more cool than I thought it was. Thanks for looking up the information! And the shot turned out great. Excellent postwork!
hipps13
waiting for a train to move forward then all of sudden backwards 15-20 mintues wait time sure can make a person grumpy but a smile is better wonderful colors warm hugs, Linda
eekdog
beautiful photography, and pov. saw your comment about Mina on another artist post, here's her link below. i also posted a dedi for her, my second to last, check it out if you like. steve http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?username=NekhbetSun
danapommet
Did you count all the engines on that Burlington Northern and Santa Fe train? Amazing capture. Wonderful info Bill. Love to learn new things. Dana
Richardphotos
first time for me to see a train interchange.outstanding shot for the distance
beachzz
Must be pretty cool when all those tracks have trains on them at the same time--great shot, Bill!!
babuci
Wonderful network and a great shot of it.
Chipka
What a shot! Oh WOW! It must be quite a sight with trains on all three layers! Oooh! I love this for so many reasons and I can imagine getting lost there, photographing to my heart's content, even though I probably wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the tracks! This is super work!
lyron
Very cool image!!!
helanker
I first thought it was a model. But It isnt. What a great shot it is.
whaleman
Wow! This is approaching the concept of a cloverleaf for trains instead of cars.
bazza
Wow this is just a fantastic capture Bill what an amazing intersection of rail crossings, I just love this.. Thats some power on that captured train too so cool.. Excellent info and posting Bill well done!! Definitely a favourite.. 5++++
jayfar
Brilliant shot Bill. I never knew this type of flyover existed, perhaps two ways, but three!!! Well done for capturing from two miles away.
Meisiekind
Oh dear me - I first thought it was a road fly-over and only then saw that it was for trains! What a remarkable crossing... wow... I cannot even begin to think how strong those bridges must be!!! Great image Bill!! ...as always... :)