Coast Starlight: freight trains

[unitedstatesfan]

On the northbound Coast Starlight (#14), how many freights does one typically cross (meet) or overtake between Los Angeles Union - Seattle?

What is the busiest section of track for freights?

Are they a mix of intermodals (container) trains and 'manifest' (general loading) trains, or are there oil trains in the mix as well?

As I lack a detailed USA rail atlas, what sections of line between LA Union and Seattle are double track and which are single track with crossing loops?

 

[BCL]

This has some info:

https://www.up.com/aboutup/usguide/index.htm

Intermodal traffic is the biggest use of freight railroads. It's noted in the state maps in the Union Pacific guide. Oil traffic is rare on the West Coast. Most oil is shipped by water and pipeline. We have several major refineries in the San Francisco Bay Area, and all are located near tanker docks. There are also major pipeline operators with storage facilities near refineries. I've read maybe 1% by rail was the highest, but currently about 0.1%. A few refineries are asking for permits though.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/transportation/article60154306.html

https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2016/02/06/oil-trains-face-tough-haul-in-california/

Also, the busiest freight rail corridors are probably going to be in the major cities. Oakland definitely has a lot of freight traffic near the container port, and the Coast Starlight goes past it.

 

[Steve4031]

Iirc the part from lax to San Jose has very little freight traffic. San Jose to Seattle will have plenty of freight traffic.

There is double track from lax to Chatsworth iirc. Then single track with passing sidings to San Jose. San Jose to Sacramento is mostly double track. Sacramento to Portland is mostly single track with passing sidings.

Portland to Seattle is mostly double track.

 

[KmH]

As I lack a detailed USA rail atlas, what sections of line between LA Union and Seattle are double track and which are single track with crossing loops?

Follow the tracks using Google Earth.

 

[TinCan782]

Iirc the part from lax to San Jose has very little freight traffic. San Jose to Seattle will have plenty of freight traffic.

There is double track from lax to Chatsworth iirc. Then single track with passing sidings to San Jose. San Jose to Sacramento is mostly double track. Sacramento to Portland is mostly single track with passing sidings.

Portland to Seattle is mostly double track.

Actually only LAX to CP Raymer (Van Nuys); Chatsworth is a passing siding CP Bernson to CP Topanga. BTW, LA Metro is trying to get the line double-tracked between Raymer and Bernson but has a battle with the Northridge NIMBYS.

 

[TinCan782]

As I lack a detailed USA rail atlas, what sections of line between LA Union and Seattle are double track and which are single track with crossing loops?

Follow the tracks using Google Earth.

Or, try this....

http://www.openrailwaymap.org/

Zoom in sufficiently to see the tracks including sidings.

 

[unitedstatesfan]

FrensicPic, thank you and others. Very helpful to a mere foreigner.

 

[TinCan782]

FrensicPic, thank you and others. Very helpful to a mere foreigner.

Enjoy your trip...the Coast Starlight is a great route...with or without freight trains!

 

[unitedstatesfan]

While I'd be surprised if they were equidistant, how far apart do the crossing loops on the single line sections tend to be? 20 kilometres?

What is the typical length of a crossing loop - 3000 metres? Are some away from the passenger stations at which Amtrak or other trains stop, or are most of the loops at these stations?

Are there instances where the CS train 14 is put 'in the hole' because loops are two short for an intermodal, manifest or other freight to be in the loop? If so, assuming that the freight is not too far away, how long does a typical cross take?