Description
Grade-level crossing of double-track Union Pacific (ex-Texas & Pacific) and single-track BNSF Railway (ex-AT&SF) main lines.
Operations
Mainline freight action on both lines, including unit and intermodal trains. Passenger trains include Trinity Rail Express commuter trains from Dallas to Fort Worth’s Intermodal Transportation Center and the T&P Passenger Terminal. Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and Heartland Flyer also stop at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center. BNSF and UP local switchers serve nearby customers.
Typical motive power
On BNSF: GE C44-9Ws and B39s; EMD SD70MACs, SD75M/Is and SD40-2s
On UP: GE C44ACs, C41-8Ws, and B30-7s; EMD SD9043Acs, SD60Ms, SD40-2s and GP38-2s
Amtrak: GE P40s and P42s
Trinity Rail Express: EMD F59PHs and F59PHIs, plus refurbished RDCs.
Peak operating hours
Spread throughout the day.
Approximate daily train frequency
BNSF: 30 freights
UP: 50 freights
TRE: 30 trains on weekdays, 18 on Saturday
Amtrak: 4 trains
Radio frequencies
BNSF: 160.695 (road), 160.920 (road), 160.935 (yard)
Union Pacific: 160.410 (road), 160.470 (road), 160.515 (road), 161.550 (road), 161.280 (terminal), 160.395 (yard), 161.115 (yard), 161.250 (yard)
Amtrak: 160.440 (crew), 160.500 (crew)
TRE: 161.355 (dispatcher)
Nearby points of interest
The T&P Passenger Terminal and Fort Worth ITC are within a half mile of Tower 55. UP’s Centennial Yard is located less than 3 miles southwest, near I-30 and University Dr.
Saginaw, 9 miles north of downtown, is the northern rail funnel where BNSF’s and UP’s lines cross as they lead into Fort Worth; a few miles farther north is the Alliance Intermodal Terminal and BNSF’s Alliance Yard where the action is constant.
Remarks
Major interstate highways cross near the tower. Nearby parking is available on a small street off S. Main St. Motels and restaurants are located downtown and along the interstates.
Safety considerations
Caution should be exercised at the I-30 and I-35W interchange. Late-evening train watchers should do so with caution because of the tower’s proximity to high-crime neighborhoods.
Contributor: Mike Harbour
