DOUBLE DECKED SWING BRIDGE ACTION WITH TRAIN AND BARGE TRAFFIC! BNSF, AMTRAK, AND DRONE VIEWS!

[@johncamp2567]

The most satisfying railroad video that I’ve seen in some time!👍 You and your drone really get around!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@johncamp2567 Thanks John! Summer time is travel time👍

[@dale5898]

Hi Red. That was brilliant drone work and photography. I loved watching the rail lockup on the swing bridge close up just fantastic. You are a must watch channel for me. I’m a former Chicago & Northwestern employee,I worked at the Proviso yard at the diesel shops as a haustler helper till the found out I was color blind! LOL!!! They discovered this at my physical when they recommended me for engineer school. SCHISTT😢.No dice. They gave me a job in the shop as a pipe fitter apprentice. I stayed on the rest of the year and moved to the Olympic peninsula in Washington State. Thanks Red for your hard work.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@dale5898 Hey Dale, thanks!! My Dad was a CNW/UP employee for 42 years. Did you run into a diesel mechanic named Dale Ericson? He started at Oelwein and then was transferred to Chicago for CNW diesel work. Sounds like you're living in a more scenic spot now👍

[@dale5898]

Probably not. I left in April of 76. Did you Dad work at Proviso or 40st? Proviso was strictly Freight Locomotives. 40th street was all “Scoots” passenger Locomotives.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@dale5898 Nope my Dad ran the CNW weld plant in Tama, IA. He started with the CNW in 1969.

[@Dreamworld986]

VERY interesting video. Nice to see the bridge open and close and the trains. Especially the Southwest Chief which I rode on several years ago for my first trip out west. Something I will always remember.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@Dreamworld986 Thanks TSD!

[@periwinkle-dragonfly]

Love watching VRF's Ft. Madison channel. Always something interesting going on there. Nice to see things from a different angle. Thanks, Red !!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@periwinkle-dragonfly You're welcome dragonfly!

[@ksbear2]

@@redsiowatrainvideos6645 I concur with @periwinkle-dragonfly. It's great seeing this action from a different point of view. Thanks.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@ksbear2 You're welcome!

[@dmurailfan]

What a cool perspective from the drone. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@dmurailfan You're welcome DMU!

[@SD45-ET44AC]

I happened to see a Cruise boat passing a barge while going through this opened bridge last month. You do an excellent job with your videos, especially your drone shots, you really make us feel like we are right there. Thank you! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@SD45-ET44AC You're welcome Sdougherty!

[@garymiller5937]

Thank you for the fabulous video today, Red! Awesome train and bridge action both. It amazes me the way they built the swing bridge in 1927! Imagine doing that with the equipment they had back then. I likely would never travel on that road. I don't like long bridges and big rivers! I do love the long trains you catch. Compared to the 100 car trains common to my area, yours are incredible! Thanks again, and have a super weekend! Please tell Walter and Roger I said hi and give them a head scratch. I missed them today. 😃😃😃😃😃❤❤❤❤❤

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@garymiller5937 Sure thing Gary! Couldn't bring the dogs on the motorcycle😃

[@garymiller5937]

@@redsiowatrainvideos6645 Maybe you could buy one with a two-seat side car so they could ride with you. 🤣🤣🤣 lol

[@tigerphid9677]

Cool...I've never seen a double-deck swing bridge before. And great drone work. I've never seen Fort Madison trains from the air before.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@tigerphid9677 You're welcome Tiger!

[@centralplains7608]

Usually see rail traffic here thru "Virtual Railfan" and always wondered about the bridge and the area beyond their webcam's POV. = EXCELLENT = use of drone to show area around view from Virtual Railfan - Ft Madison"‼Used to have to hire a helicopter to get such scenic perspectives. GREAT WORK and will recommend your channel to all rail buddies. Keep taking us on new rail and SCENIC adventures wherever you find them.‼✅ God Bless👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@centralplains7608 Thanks Central Plains! I'll try and get some more road trips in yet this Summer👍

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

Fort Madison is a treasure. The BNSF has wanted to replace that bridge, but so far, we've been lucky;) Thanks for the video.

[@J3scribe]

The Army Corp of Engineers wants all swing spans replaced along the river to improve clearances in the shipping channel. Fort Madison presents a challenge because of its dual nature as a rail and road bridge. Replacing the swing span with a lift span will be very expensive. Maybe BNSF will get some federal infrastructure funding to help the process along. Who knows?

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@Jumpingoffthecliff You're welcome!

[@garymiller5937]

That's so cool 😎 to see the bridge in action. Thanks, Red!! 😃😃😃😃

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@garymiller5937 You're welcome Gary!

[@garymiller5937]

@@redsiowatrainvideos6645 That still amazes me!! Thanks again, Red! 😃😃❤️❤️

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

thanks Red great shot

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@ronaldrondeau7870 You're welcome Ronald!

[@coryspainting9268]

Impressive. Great videos!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@coryspainting9268 Thanks Cory! Went to Marshalltown and flew the drone over a derailment today.

[@Carolb66]

Amazing bridge Red, I've seen it so many times on railroad video's not seen it opening that many times though its a special sight! Fort Madison is a railfans dream! Seen in on railcaam. Amazon prime my favourite containers probably got half my orders on there Red! Loved this video very entertaining thank you! ❤😊👍

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@Carolb66 You're welcome Carol! Boy that bridge must see a lot of maintenance.

[@centraliowarailproductions2810]

Nice catches!

[@davidsnider1703]

Just about the best video I've seen. Great location, lots of cool action. I hope to go in person some day , but if I don't make it I got to see it here. Thanks Red and little Red

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@davidsnider1703 You're welcome David S! I'm told railroad days are the last weekend of September down there. May be worth checking out👍

[@sptraxide]

Good job catching the action in Ft Madison. Can't wait to go there for River & Rail Days this fall.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@sptraxide Thanks SP! I'm gonna make a point to visit Rail Days this year.

[@kens.3729]

Double Decker Swing Bridge is Awesome. Big Time BNSF Crew Change Point. Thanks Red. 😬🙏

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@kens.3729 You're welcome Ken!

[@paulbergen9114]

While virtual rails has three camera angles the Drone certainly shows the size of the structure plus the sharpness of the curve on the West End. There have been a few videos of three-way meets and on occasion an EB Amtrak which due to lack of platforms has to be on the WB main. It then must back up and crossover to continue its Journey if blocked by westbounds. One has to wonder how big the crew is here that works on daily maintenance on this bridge and that little barge is part of the Maritime Fleet. It's been years since I drove across this bridge but Trains magazine in the late 1960s shoulder rates for cars trucks Farm equipments and even individual animals as if being driven across in a cattle drive. I think a pedestrian what is listed as 5 or 10 cents but I sure don't know where you walk is that deck looks like no sidewalk! Very nice capture of a busy place

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@paulbergen9114 Thanks Paul! Definitely didn't have to wait long for the action there. Tow boats with locomotive engines make for some great sounds on the Mississippi. The marina there has some good food too!

[@anthonysaggio6551]

Great video better than TV and the scenery is awawesome New subscriber here

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@anthonysaggio6551 Thanks Anthony!

[@jean-michelbrunner8234]

Bravo Absolument Magnifique. Je suis de nationalités Suisse ayant fais beaucoup de voyages dans les Alpes Suisse et les Tunnel : Du Gothard, Simplon Lötschberg et du Mont-Blanc ( sol Français. 9 j'aime beaucoup le Train bien qu'en Suisse toute et électrique, et avec des liaison rapide TGV Français et allemand. en Transite. Je réside en Espagne ces derniers temps, et on ne peu rien envier au ligne par rapport a bien des Pays. Malheureusement , ( bien que non a mon avis ) les Drones sont interdit. A part autorisations. Encore une fois je vous félicite, J'ai des amis d'origine Suisse ( Genève qui vivent a Fort Madison ) je regarde souvent me faisant signe depuis la passage a niveau avec leur téléphone mobile.. Voila continuez cher Monsieur. ( mon père défunt possédait une des plus Grande Maquette de train dans la ferme ou j'ai Grandi tous du Meckling je vous es mis dans mes favoris.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@jean-michelbrunner8234 Thanks Jean!

[@paulbowler2760]

Some years ago, my wife and I stayed in Fort Madison, (almost) trackside at the Kingsley Inn. Fantastic! In those days, the marina just downriver of the bridge had not even been planned, and the Amtrak depot was located at the BNSF yard, further south. Both the BNSF double-track main and the Mississippi River were busy, 24/7 - the bridge tender was also busy! One day, we drove to Galesburg (Illinois) - another great train spot - and we enjoyed a great lunch near the Amtrak depot. The view from your drone suggests that the Mississippi is in, or has recently been in, flood.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@paulbowler2760 Yes Paul the Mississippi was in flood stage recently. I went to Galesburg about a year ago and got the hump yard in action with the drone👍

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

Hi Red, this is a fantastic video of the swing bridge, great shots of the cars and freight trains crossing the bridge. I can see the small tug pushing the large platform across the water. Is the water level always this high? Great BNSF intermodal container trains. The tugboat on the water crossing the bridge was very well filmed, it is also very long. And Amtrak also goes across the bridge. Very well filmed with the drone. Thanks for sharing and have a nice Sunday. Best wishes, Wolfgang

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530 Hey Wolfgang, you're welcome! The Mississippi was still actually around flood stage that day. It's probably down to normal levels by now.

[@kenn5894]

Nice video. On the Iowa side near the control point is a derail on both mains that cross the bridge. Any time those west facing signals are red, that derail is in operation and there is a split in the track just east of the signals.

[@kenn5894]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4OwaIV7pbSdrMUsi=Gp11J4zFu3r6pKU_

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@kenn5894 Thanks Ken!

[@dennis47586]

Great catch

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@dennis47586 Thanks DW2!

[@timmyfrierson2684]

Yeah, I was gonna say red that the Marceline sub runs all the way down to Kansas City Missouri and then you said it at the end of the video lol but anyway, I love watching them old, swing bridges and draw bridges opening and closing. I have one in my little town of Pearl River Louisiana on the N O AND N E subdivision that runs from New Orleans Louisiana all the way to New York City New York but they have it welded shut and you have to give them a 72 hour notice if you need the bridge to be opened to get a tug and barges up it but anyway, my friend another great video and as always you stay safe out there and watch your back and we’ll see you on the next one. And yeah, the Marceline sub has at least 70 trains a day that comes into Kansas City, Missouri or leaves out of Kansas City Missouri. It’s really really busy.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@timmyfrierson2684 Yes Timmy, one of the busiest lines I've experienced! That swing bridge seemed to go pretty fast too. The bridge is around 100 years old. That's a lot of tonnage over the years. Have a good one👍

[@charleshagenbuch6078]

I wonder how many of the cars brought thier lunches to watch the barge? Hey tower guys, smile you're on RITV! Yep, siren for unlock and locked. Watching it do its thing on railcam at night is interesting.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@charleshagenbuch6078 That's probably one of the busiest swing bridges on the Mississippi!

[@tylerlittle1315]

You should come to Davenport Ia. There is also a double deck swing bridge with two sets of tracks and road lanes. But train traffic is top level and road traffic is bottom. Also swing portion opens right next to a lock and dam.

[@gingerbread6614]

Great video. Thanks

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@gingerbread6614 You're welcome ginger bread!

[@marcbarnum9038]

I watch Marktwained on utube think he said 4k HP and they carry 3000k of fuel. He is a pilot on those towboats.

[@rtrobinson88321]

Very cool swing bridge

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@rtrobinson88321 That's a busy one👍

[@jaymepaxton797]

RED, there is a couple Webcams on this area, THANKS to VIRTUALRAILFAN!!! - Nice entertainment on a lazy!!! Coming into IOWA on the Bridge you have to Stop as if you had to pay - but there is no fee!!! This past SPRING they had the new Marina buildings open!!! Now a busy place!!!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@jaymepaxton797 Yes I've watched the virtual camera there👍 Always nice to get some drone footage of the area. We ate at the marina on that day. Pretty good burgers!

[@paulsmith5398]

Youre correct about Illinois charging a toll to cross the bridge, (thats one reason i call it the "Land of Corruption"). Been over that bridge waaaay back in 1982, we had a brand new Datsun pickup truck, and i posed it next to the 2913, what a difference in size, and ive still got that picture! They couldnt pay me enough to go up one of those cell phone towers, i freak when i get over 20 feet off the ground.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@paulsmith5398 I chose to stay on the Iowa side. You got to see some classic Santa Fe back then👍

[@paulsmith5398]

@@redsiowatrainvideos6645 well, didnt get to see any trains when we were there, and the only classic Santa Fe was the 2913, and it was in a different location in 1982. When we left Fort Madison on our day trip, we went south through Missouri, down to West Quincy, then across to Quincy Illinois on a free bridge!, and then home to Springfield.

[@josephalaindaigle3194]

Twin locomotive 🚂 engines judging by the sound 😊

[@jz1340]

Built By: Santa Fe Railroad Year constructed: 1925-1927 Alternate name: Mississippi River Bridge Bridge type: Rigid-Connected, Double-Deck Swing Truss National Register of Historic Places status: Listed Length: 1675 feet Width: 23.5 feet Spans: 1 FHWA: 33280 Jurisdiction: BNSF Location: Iowa 2/Illinois 9 over the Mississippi River in Fort Madison

[@RobertDetert]

Are they repainting the bridge?? Really enjoy your videos. Used to go across that bridge quite a bit going to see relatives in Iowa.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@user-jf4nj3ez2k Thanks Robert! Not sure if the bridge is being painted.

[@JimJensen]

They are called Tow boats not tugs. Average a horsepower is 6000 with duel turbos. Just like train engines. Keokuk just down river has a swing bridge Dam and Power plant with the K line running next to it. The KJRY runs East and West over the swing bridge which is Visible on Keokuk Stream Time Live camera.

[@justme-to6ho]

Always a great video Red, are you going to the container derailment in your state?

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@justme-to6ho Thanks just me! Nope didn't make it to that derailment. Trains are up and rolling again👍

[@dennisdingeman1564]

A lot of the tows use the same engines as EMD locomotives!

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@dennisdingeman1564 That's cool!

[@williamjameson478]

That tow boat has twin EMD 645 engines installed

[@araneaetvelivolum1086]

Mega cool presentation, The 2 Reds 😂 thanks for sharing. Did you hear about the derailment in Glidden? Any impact on the amount of traffic passing through Montur East ward?

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@araneaetvelivolum1086 You're welcome Aranea! Yeah I heard about it. Didn't have the time to get down there. I'm sure traffic shut down for at least a day. Should be back to normal now.

[@sfskippy]

K line is the hannibal sub. Marceline sub is ft madison west. Siren is opening and closing the bridge. RAGBRAI ended in Burlington.

[@RobertDetert]

Southwest Chief used to go through Streater and Chillacotttia before they changed the route for that train here in Illinois.

[@J3scribe]

The siren indicates the bridge is open to traffic. Conversely, the siren also means the bridge is closed to traffic. Cool video. Unfortunately, you were on the wrong side of the swing span with the drone to capture the locking mechanism at work.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@J3scribe Thanks J. Lewis!

[@daleroth236]

That tug is rated at least 6000 HP with 2 exhaust stacks. Some go up above 10,000HP

[@rael5469]

I think there is a double decker bridge similar to this in Sacramento California.

[@chuckiowa]

it is for the lifting of the Gate over the road way they run about 65 train every day

[@RobertDetert]

Maim.line was Samta Fe. K line that comes from Burlington was Burlington Northern.

[@josephalaindaigle3194]

The same sound of the two locomotives that roll overhead ,except no rail sounds

[@zman_o7]

🚂😎👍🚂

[@thomasmackowiak]

The combination vehicle/railroad swing bridge over the Mississippi River at Ft. Madison, Iowa can open and close quickly based on this video. I presume that you did not speed up the bridge opening and closing sequence of this video. I was surprised when the seing bridge started to open at 18:48 for that 12-barge northbound tow that was at least a mile down river. I would have thought that the bridge tender could have waited until the barges were closer to the bridge. Now that I think about the bridge opening, it does make sense to open it when the barges are further away from the swing bridge. If something might happen ti prevent the bridge from opening properly, the Captain of the pusher would have more time to avoid a collision with a partially open swing bridge. Your drone footage of the opening and closing of the swing bridge and the train action on and off the bridge was superb as usual. Thank you, Red, for catching this train and bridge action in Ft. Madsion, Iowa. (Posted 1 August 2024 at 2334 CDT.)

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@thomasmackowiak You're welcome Thomas! I didn't speed up any part of the video. It did seem like this swing bridge was faster than some of the other ones I've witnessed.

[@chuckmvs]

Toll both on the swing section, 💰

[@tomviolette7053]

did you ever find out why the train was cancelled? If you get a chance try to ride Dover Harbor from Alexanderia VA to Morfolk VA a little pricey but a fun trip

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@tomviolette7053 Not sure Tom! Maybe someday I'll get to Virginia!

[@BruceJMiller]

Hay Red, Don"t Quite me, I think some of the Mississippi Barges have 16 thousand Horse power.

[@sfskippy]

Chillicothe sub is ft madison east.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@sfskippy Sure is.

[@tcm2kd5000]

What happened in Glidden, IA with the derailment there?

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@tcm2kd5000 Looks like some form of car failure. That's all tangent track there.

[@Oliver-kv2mm]

Been there several times.

[@williamskirvin2211]

The boats have twin 645 EMD engines in them.

[@mauricelong4678]

Make sure the car and train dont fall off that bridge

[@jz1340]

UP has trackage rights for six trains a day.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@jz1340 👍

[@rickchapman9232]

Can two trains pass on the bridge at the same time?

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

Yes, and they often do.

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@@rickchapman9232 Yes, and the Amtrak was crossing along with the grain train.

[@DocRonken]

15 barges

[@terrymarshall8874]

Red, this is your BEST video ever!!! I often watch Virtual Railroad camera in Ft. Madison so I am acquainted with the area (videos, not in person) but you provided another perspective of the area. I read that the main source of employment there is the State Prison. I was wondering if I saw the prison from one of your drone views? On your next visit I suggest you go a short distance past the RR station to the area where the crews change, I saw that area on another video. FYI, Ft Madison was named for a famous US President, James Madison, whose home place is about 50 miles south of my location, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where my daughter graduated from the James Madison University. Again, another great video. Thank you for posting your Masterpieces. (I live in Hagerstown, Maryland).

[@redsiowatrainvideos6645]

@terrymarshall8874 You're welcome Terry! Definitely a busy spot. Fort Madison was also nick named "Pen City". It had a large pen factory and of course the jail.

[@TonyTruth-s9z]

My late brother-in-law watched the Fort Madison train channel when he was in hospice. We think of him when we watch.