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Photo ID: 102238
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, August 11, 2008 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 59
Bill, WY
3131
(1 Comment Posted)
Subdivision
Railroad
Orin (BNSF) Union Pacific
The mining operations in the Powder River Basin are absolutely amazing to see in person. It looks like mini Grand Canyons have been carved into the ground digging for the coal. The great thing is that there is a fairly minimal impact to the environment as everything can be restored once the coal is extracted. Here, a Jacob's Ranch Mine load passes by a crane working at the Antelope Mine, digging some more coal for loading.
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Photo ID: 102235
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, August 11, 2008 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 79
Bill, WY
3341
(4 Comments Posted)
Subdivision
Railroad
Orin (BNSF) BNSF
The Powder River Basin has been expanding at a nearly exponential rate over the last twenty years. Not long ago, there were two main tracks at this location. It didn't take long for a third main track to be put in to accommodate traffic. No sooner had the third track been put it, that a fourth main track was laid down! This roughly 25-mile stretch of four main tracks is the longest such stretch of non-passenger track in the country. In this shot, a UP coal empty proceeds west in the distance on Main Two, a BNSF coal load heads east on Main Four, and a clear signal on Main Three indicates another westbound is not far away.
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Photo ID: 102234
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, August 11, 2008 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 80
Bill, WY
1957
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Orin (BNSF) Union Pacific
After receiving a fresh crew at Bill, this UP coal empty proceeds west on Main Two towards its destination at the North Antelope Mine, about twenty miles ahead. Just (geographically) north of Bill, the track cross underneath Highway 59, moving from the west side to the east side of the highway as the highway continues north.
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Photo ID: 102233
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, August 11, 2008 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Crossover 80.8 (West Bill)
Bill, WY
3048
(3 Comments Posted)
Subdivision
Railroad
Orin (BNSF) BNSF
A southbound BNSF coal load with a nice consist - a trio of ES44ACs - passes through the very long OS section of the crossovers at MP 80.8. The train has a clear signal at west bill as it heads east on Main Three.
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Photo ID: 102232
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, August 11, 2008 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
MP 95
Bill, WY
2722
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Orin (BNSF) Union Pacific
This UP coal empty is running on yellow signals following yet another UP coal empty. The train are trying to get into Bill for a crew change. Bill, WY is a major hub for UP in the Powder River Basin. It is a crew change point and there is a hotel and diner essentially devoted to the railroad (although open to the public too). BNSF trains, on the other hand, slip right past Bill without stopping.
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