CPKC Train 261 with UP, BNSF, CP Power Crests Rutledge Hill, Ottumwa, IA 1/27/24

January 2024 proved to be one of the most difficult winter months of recent years in Iowa. With over two feet of snow on the ground after a pair of significant storm systems just days apart, it took several days to literally dig out once the storms passed. As expected, the railroads in the Ottumwa area had a very difficult time keeping trains running. While BNSF had few trains with rested crews, pretty much stalling all traffic on their line through Ottumwa, CPKC somehow managed to keep their trains rolling, but not without a myriad of problems of their own. Many of the issues surrounded northbound trains trying to tackle the steep, 1.7% grade up Rutledge Hill. A difficult climb even in good weather, long trains with just a few engines struggled to make it up during the storms. Some trains couldn't make it, with at least two sliding backwards down the hill! After one such instance that almost became a serious situation, CPKC started making sure their northbound trains had additional power throughout the consist to make the hill.
Although I wanted to get out and get some pictures during the height of the snowfall and storms, dangerously cold temperatures kept me at home, and I watched most of the drama on the railroads unfold from my computer, by watching the various railcams in the area. Finally, by the last full week of January, the weather improved with above freezing temps, allowing for some of the snow to start melting. With the roads in better shape and temperatures in the upper 30's, I made my way out of the house with my daughter for a pretty decent weekend of railfanning, on the 27th and 28th. By this time the railroads were operating fluidly again, and there was plenty to see, and still a lot of snow to make for some nice winter scenes. This was the last train I saw on January 27th - northbound CPKC mixed freight 261, as it reaches the top of Rutledge Hill at West Rochester Street, on the outer edges of Ottumwa's north side. Three locomotives, featuring two on the head end and one mid-train DPU, ensured this train's successful climb up the hill with little hesitation. The lashup was also an interesting one - leading is UP 7823 (ES44AC), followed by BNSF 9039 (SD70ACe), and BNSF 9319 (SD70ACe) mid-train. An added bonus to 261's consist was a ballast train tacked on the front behind the lead locomotives, and also featured two more locomotives, CP 5101 (SD40-2) and CP 2206 (GP20C-ECO). Judging by the sound as the engines went by, these locomotives weren't online.
As you may notice, the scene here at Rutledge has changed quite a bit recently, with the shortening of Rutledge siding to the other side of the W. Rochester Street crossing, and removal of the classic "searchlight" signals, dating back to the Milwaukee Road era. While I miss those old signals, their removal has actually opened up the view where I'm standing, creating a vantage point I've never filmed at here before. North of Ottumwa, CPKC has completed work in filling in their signaling gaps, and now the whole line between Ottumwa and Fruitland (near Muscatine) is CTC controlled. And a good thing, because it sure seems like CPKC is running a lot more traffic on this line now!
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[@ejames1103]

Always enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@BobbyHarveyVideoProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@centraliowarailproductions2810]

Nice catch!

[@BobbyHarveyVideoProductions]

Thank you!

[@centraliowarailproductions2810]

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