Trains & Flash Flood Warnings

[rtabern]

I was always under the impression whenever a Flash Flood Warning was issued, trains had to almost always had to proceed at a reduced speed. I have been on several trips where we crawled along at 10-20mph until the warnings were lifted.

Well, yesterday (Sunday 7/24/16), we arrived on a tardy #4 into Chicago around 5:15PM, we decided to head down to the Lumber St. grade crossing between the yards and Chicago River bridge to watch #851 with the dome... and #370 with the Ocean View dome head out. About 5 minutes after Ocean View headed through there were some really violent storms that went through and Cook County (where Chicago is) was placed under Flash Flood Warnings until 9:30pm. In fact, many lines -- even CTA -- were closed down due to debris on the tracks too.

I figured #851 and #370 would really get hammered for timekeeping with the Flash Flood Warnings up. Both travel quite a distance through Cook County before reaching Indiana -- and even Lake County in Indiana had Flash Flood Warnings up too.

But, both trains got into their first stations right on time --- Dyer, IN and St. Joseph, MI.

Maybe CSX doesn't have Flash Flood Warning restrictions?

Wonder if there is anyone who can answer this who knows more about it than I do.

I did a trip in 2011 on #392 from Carbondale to Chicago where the whole run was under Flash Flood Warnings -- and we got into Chicago 5 hours late. Of course, that line is all CN though.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

The line to St. Joseph is mostly the NS Chicago Line, not CSX.

 

[west point]

Can we assume that each RR's engineering department determines where ( MP - MP ) that there is a potential for flooding ?. Normal speed otherwise ?

 

[tim49424]

The line to St. Joseph is mostly the NS Chicago Line, not CSX.

NS to Porter, IN then CSX north.

 

[KmH]

There are warnings, and there are watches.

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-difference-between-a-weather-watch-and-a-weather-warning.htm

The simplest distinction is that a weather watch indicates possible severe weather, while a warning indicates that severe storms or the conditions that produce severe storms have been observed in nearby areas and will likely reach the location being warned.

 

[rtabern]

Yes, I worked in television news and weather for 18 years. I know the difference between a watch and warning. Cook County IL and Lake County IN were under warnings on Sunday night when 851 and 370 were in them but neither train lost time. Why?

 

[Ryan]

A quick glance indicates that the warnings were Severe Thunderstorm warnings, not Flash Flood warnings.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

I would think that the tracks in the city of Chicago, many of which are elevated in places, would not be affected by flash flooding at ground level hence no slow zones. There are low portions where some lines run at grade or in cutting (by Chicago standards, which is pretty much table flat).

I cannot think of a natural watercourse, be it a creek or stream within, well, miles of me - where I live was originally swamp and was filled in the late 19th Century - all drainage is via the combined sewer system. There are "wetlands" along the MED/CN ROW where it runs at grade between like 39th St and 27th St with a retaining wall to the west (I assume the train runs at grade and the land to the west is mostly post-fire fill) - there are cattails and ducks between the tracks and the wall, which may be springs or simply surface water table. But with most tracks elevated in Chicago, the flood risk is low.

 

[Ryan]

Looking at it further, yes. Cook County and Lake County, IN were never under a flash flood warning. Severe Thunderstorm only.

Northern Cook and Lake County, IL were under an Urnab and Small Stream Flood Advisory, but that's neither a warning nor the location in question.