DRGW.NetTowner Line Update - 22-Mar-2009
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News Photos Towner Line Update - 22-Mar-2009

On Wednesday, 16-Apr-2008, a wildfire ripped through Ordway, CO, on the former Missouri Pacific line east of Pueblo. Two wooden trestles were amongst the many structures lost in the area. Many local railfans assumed that the two lost bridges would spell the end of the Towner Line as a through route, as the current owner - the V&S Railway - is closely affiliated with A&K Railroad Materials, one of the nation's largest railroad scrappers.



As it turns out, the line isn't quite done yet. On a trip along the route on Sunday, 22-Mar-2009, I found that both bridges have been repaired within the last couple of months. (I swear when I made a similar trip in January, both were still missing.) Also, a good number of UP auto racks are being stored in the Pultney siding and on the main just west of Ordway. V&S's two GEs were nowhere in sight, but that's not unusual - they're usually kept on the east end, where the line's only traffic is located.

Date: 03 Mar 2009
Size: 17 items
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The first string of stored autoracks, at the west end of the Pultney siding (looking west).
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
townerline_22mar2009_2.jpg
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The next stored string, in the east end of Pultney. They're split in the middle for some guy's driveway.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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The second set of cars, located just a few miles west of Ordway on the main line.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
townerline_22mar2009_4.jpg
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It forms a pretty effective blockade - nothing's going further east on the line.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
IMG_6169.jpg
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The bridge west of Ordway that burned on 16-Apr-2008.
Date: 06 Jun 2008
Owner: ND Holmes
IMG_6164.jpg
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Another look at the burned bridge west of Ordway, showing the heat damage to the rails. (Both post-fire photos taken in June 2008.)
Date: 06 Jun 2008
Owner: ND Holmes
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The newly repaired bridge west of Ordway, taken Sunday, 22-Mar-2009.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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Looking west down the Towner Line, the repaired section is easily seen, with its different ballast and jointed rail sections. (Oh, and the fact it's not overgrown with weeds yet.)
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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Looking northeast at the repair.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
townerline_22mar2009_10.jpg
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Looking east.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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Evidence of the fire is still evident, though, such as this burned communications pole.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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The easternmost string of stored autoracks is barely visible in the distance.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
IMG_6160_2.jpg
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The second (easternmost) burned bridge, located a mile or so east of Ordway at milepost 845.0, as seen in June 2008.
Date: 06 Jun 2008
Owner: ND Holmes
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The easternmost break repaired, taken Sunday, 22-Mar-2009.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
townerline_22mar2009_12.jpg
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Looking east down the line over the second repair.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
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And the other side of the new culverts at MP 845.0.
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
townerline_22mar2009_14.jpg
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One of the old signal/comm poles at 845.0
Date: 03 Mar 2009
Owner: ND Holmes
 
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