What's going on southside Chicago bridge 371/49/351?

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fredevad

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
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451
Location
Willamette Valley, Oregon
I was tracking 49 this morning waiting for the arrival of my sister in law and see that 371, 49, and 351 are all stopped backed up at the bridge on the south side of Chicago (sorry, I don't remember the name of the bridge). It looks like 365 is about to suffer the same fate.

Anyone know what's going on?
 
Looks like they are finally moving. My sister in law said "the train is moving, everyone is clapping and cheering. It's a fun train mob!" Will arrive CHI over 3 hrs late. Pax were never told what the problem was, but at least they were given snacks.

Still would be interested to know what was up if anyone hears anything. Whatever it was, it backed up the LSL and 3 Michigan Service trains.
 
Was it some kind of movable bridge, that may have been stuck? That could explain it.......
 
I keep checking the Chicago news sources, but I haven't seen anything yet.
 
Was it some kind of movable bridge, that may have been stuck? That could explain it.......
I'm quite sure it's a movable bridge, I've been delayed there before for ship traffic in the river. It's just that a 2 1/2 hour delay seems unreasonable.

I'm not sure what it's called, I don't think "drawbridge" is right. Zooming in with Google earth shows that it is the Calumet River, has towers on both sides and the bridge would move up and down the towers.
 
I think "Swing Bridge" is the correct term, but not positive.
 
It's called a lift bridge. I know exactly which one you're talking about.
 
I just picked up my sister in law at the train station and she confirmed that the lift bridge was stuck. I guess they finally told the passengers what was going on.
 
I think they are doing track work around those bridges too. I was on 49 on November 12 and there were slow orders going over the bridges. I think I recall seeing track workers there. We stopped before crossing each of the lift bridges. A freight passed on the other track while we waited. So I think there was single tracking going over the bridges, or they only wanted one train at a time on there. We lost about 15 minutes total so it was nothing like these other trains experienced.
 
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