IMPLOSION | Weld Wheel Building

When SomeraRoad, Inc. (Somera) of Nashville, Tennessee acquired property at “West Bottoms” in Kansas City, Missouri, they knew that their development plan required a negotiated relationship with Union Pacific Railroad (UP) regarding the dual-track extension of their “Big Mary” mainline which passed along the edge of Somera’s property. The initial UP challenge was related to the demolition of the 10-story tall, structurally deteriorated Weld Wheel warehouse that had a bay cantilevered out over the railroad right-of-way to within 48” of passing rail cars. The heavily traveled UP line carried an average of 18 main trains per day, including two California special trains whose schedule was deemed inviolate.
Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI) of Phoenix, Maryland, USA was asked to act initially as a consultant, then as an Explosives Subcontractor to Somera, in parallel to Somera’s selected conventional Demolition Contractor for fast-track removal of the 10-story, heavily reinforced “pillar and pad” concrete structure, to ensure a short-duration rail outage schedule that Somera could negotiate with UP.
The conventional demolition contract was awarded to Remco Demolition (Remco) with the assistance of Industrial Demolition and Salvage for pre-removal of structures to isolate the 10-story concrete warehouse so that CDI’s implosion design could pull it away from the adjacent railroad right-of-way.
The basement walls of the structure were not designed as retaining walls to carry the surcharge from nearby rail and vehicular traffic and the removal of the building would have left those walls unsupported. Somera had a local engineer design, and local General Contractor, Forge Construction, install concrete to support the 10’ tall perimeter basement wall adjacent to the railroad right-of-way and St. Louis Avenue. Remco gutted out CDI’s selected shot floors in the Weld Wheel structure and installed 38 steel cables, per CDI’s design, to give CDI the structural capacity needed to pull the deteriorated north wall of the warehouse away from the railroad.
Initially, UP agreed to a 10-hour interruption of rail service on the closest mainline railroad track to the building and a 20-hour interruption of rail service on the second main line track, in coordination with up-track bridge repairs that UP had on their schedule.
After CDI’s drill crew had already drilled a total of 778 holes on five levels in the structure, less than a week prior to the implosion, UP advised Somera that the duration of track interruptions would be cut by more than half. Remco and CDI confirmed to Somera and Forge that the tracks could be protected, the building imploded, and the track cleared of any light debris and track protection materials in the shortened timeframe.
Remco worked overnight to place timber crane mats, steel plates, and sand-filled debris bag protection over the closest UP mainline before placing a single layer of geotextile fabric over the outer mainline track to protect the ballast against contamination from dust and small debris particles.
At 6:59 AM on Sunday, May 19, 2024, CDI's successfully imploded the Weld Wheel building using 714 lbs of explosives, exactly per plan. No major debris landed on the railroad right-of-way or the track protection. Remco reopened the outer UP mainline track just 24 minutes after the implosion. It took them another 2 hours and 33 minutes to clear the protective materials they had placed as a precautionary measure over the inner mainline track, fully returning the railroad right-of-way to UP ahead of the shortened track outage schedule.

[@andyharman3022]

It's a pleasure to watch experts do their jobs.

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thanks for watching!

[@Hydrazine1000]

Always! Doesn't matter which industry.❤

[@iancanuckistan2244]

It's always a treat when Friday rolls around and you find a CDI notification in your inbox.

[@domosautomotive1929]

Especially on Thursday

[@iancanuckistan2244]

@@domosautomotive1929 That's what retirement does to you, every day is the same.

[@StreuB1]

Absolute precision, absolute professionalism. Unreal that the tracks were all open less than 3 hours later.

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!

[@manceraleon]

I used to work there years ago, sad it's gone.

[@danwhitaker9168]

Yep, depressing to see it go.

[@jonbicho9840]

Another job that had the home theater subwoofers working overtime. Love it. Keep them coming.

[@wdwerker]

I so appreciate the little extras like crew setting up the cameras, information about the job and the care taken to avoid inconvenience to the services in the area.

[@lukestertv4337]

I was there. It was awesome. We met a guy named Bob. He was so cool. He was like taking pictures and stuff he asked questions to me he gave us cards. We will never forget him, and we also saw two people which one saw veteran Stadium come down in a airplane

[@mrwest5552]

Sincerely enjoy the video description - teaching me it is not simply drilling holes and placing explosive charges. Well Done.

[@rubegoldburg7841]

CDI & it's people REALLY know what they are doing. 👍

[@TravisWBurton]

Another drop that was perfectly done, just as always. CDI = Nothing but the best.

[@MrZygy3]

Impressive Job 🎉

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!

[@svenhaheim]

Utterly amazing job you guys do.

[@pilotgrrl1]

I love that you've added the captions with explanations of hazards, and how you got everything set up to take the structures down. I miss the guy with the deadpan voice counting down, though.😊😊

[@GCSol]

I'm always amazed how much dust these implosions kick up.

[@BuCket-on3mo]

CDI keeps chugging along🚂 Great work! Awesome video. Crazy how little room you guys need to drop a building. Blows my mind...

[@claudevieaul1465]

00:18 Cheers for that mate!! 😎👍😜 It's always fun to see the order in which the charges detonate - first taking out the last structural supports, and then the kickoff. A clean job well done 🙏

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimsvideos7201]

That building was evidently built pretty stoutly if it took that much energetic material to demolish.

[@MarkMLl_uk]

Congratulations on another fine job, and particular thanks for the detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the job. I would like to think that UP also expressed their appreciation...

[@vic.blaine]

"Remco reopened the outer UP mainline track just 24 minutes after the implosion." That's some seriously coordinated work and pre-planning. Impressive. As well as the entire project.

[@AndrewBeals]

A hop, skip, and a jump from here! I wish I could have watched it in person!

[@JohnShinn1960]

The eye clean and ear blowouts at the beginning made me feel fuzzy warm, ha ha. 0:17 👍🤠 Thanks CDI!...SWOON! 👍😍

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@toneale]

Have watched most of your videos over the years. Much better production quality on this one.

[@toweri_li]

The gorgeously cinematic opening sequence of this video is above and beyond what you have given us so far! Fantastic story telling! [Edit: Not to mention the lowest bass frequencies retained on the audio track. My subwoofer loved it!]

[@brucebinde5303]

Professionalism at it's best. Great work!

[@larsjensen1358]

Wow, what a planning, perfect job, the building really vent down on the spot, amazing to see. Thanks for the fantastic documentation👍

[@RobertCraft-re5sf]

Amazing job 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 you can see how she fell away from the tracks.

[@CarbonPhysics]

Such incredible precision, that was incredible. Thank you for sharing

[@thomasglessner6067]

Bravo! Always fascinating to watch your expertise. Thanks for taking us along.

[@imbok]

Very clean, professional work. Thorough preparation yields great results!

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you very much!

[@alexplore92]

If only we could go back in time and create a documentary of the likes for the Hudsons Department Store implosion in 1998. I was 6 years old and in Chicago at the time, but I still felt the Earth shake when those tons of bricks and mortar plummeted into their footing.

[@wkk9925]

All the blast in safety position great job!!!!!❤💯👍🏻🎉

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!!

[@busher69]

I saw a documentary on CDI many years ago, they're the best at controlled demolition. These guys are true Pros

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!

[@OldNavyAirdale]

BRAVO! I love to watch your work!

[@mellissadalby1402]

(1) Beautiful (2) It's harder than it looks.

[@eliteman7685]

Wow, that was an awesome job of bringing that down!!

[@ydvu4]

Thanks for the detailed explanation! Really enjoy your work and videos.

[@terencem8795]

A job so very well done. Nice and tidy.👏👏👏

[@GreyJedi11]

Ahhhh! Now I know why this was such a pretty take-down! You guys are AMAZING!!

[@matthew9363]

nice description of the tasks involved.

[@billtimmons7071]

Never realized how therapeutic watching a UTube video could be. Makes me think about the "gravity" of the situation.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

If 'Form follows Function' then a perfect pile of debris follows CDI... nice job...

[@snowgorilla9789]

Job satisfaction 10 on scale of 10

[@GarrettWorcester]

2:41 - Those last remaining birds were hell-bent on being hardheaded.

[@ChrisB257]

Outstanding! Could see first shot series for corner then everything else - collapse was absolutely excellent due to skillful pattern design. :)

[@tonywestvirginia]

Another job well done!

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@RogowskiBubba0864]

Great job, thank you 😊 Greetings from the Netherlands 😎

[@abpsd73]

Virtual Railfan had a pretty good shot of the event with a camera they have on a building down the track.

[@dianelandis9429]

How can I find this? Also, a virtual railfan.

[@bobbym6964]

Fantastic job!!

[@antjeblum9034]

Perfect work💯👍👏

[@ke6gwf]

Love all of it, but good job on the opening shot to the Social Media Team! Lol

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wayneheigl5549]

you just got to love C.D.I. always perfect.

[@craigw.miller9820]

No countdown?? You guys are awesome

[@TravisWBurton]

The countdown was there, it just wasn't as loud as countdown in past videos.

[@ΓιάννηςΤορνικιδης]

Love your videos ❤❤

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you for watching!

[@davidperry970]

Best job ever.

[@lokiva8540]

Imagine if CDI opened a new theatrical SFX department? "Realistic explosions".... just match up the upcoming productions, and demolition projects, and movies could have a serious upgrade to the realism factor, when what's done actually is real.

[@69A12SuperBee]

These guys are good!!👍🏻

[@SharonBranch-yq6is]

CDI is the best!

[@dianelandis9429]

Great job as usual guys! Good videos of the way the tracks were protected. Thanks for the insights. Always interesting.

[@Wildstar40]

The birds on the roof were like WTF !

[@remmiemax3624]

Before & after pictures 😎😎👍👍👌👌

[@pisom4314]

very nice job!!! the railroad are pricks to deal with, tell you one thing then change their minds like a baby changes diapers!!!! great job!!

[@iangillett2488]

Perfect 👍 Minimal disruption to the railroad 😉.

[@kenlew4945]

This actually maded onto Virtual RailFan Grab Bag because Virtual RailFan has a live feed camera in that location

[@lohphat]

I'd actually recommend turning off auto-focus and just set to infinity since the cameras are already far enough away from the action, otherwise the dust cloud and debris might cause unwanted focus changes.

[@gs3504]

Professionals at work!

[@Boxpok]

0:33 Ahh that beautiful whine of that EMD turbo…….

[@toddburgess6792]

How'd you like to be on the throne in that porta potty when it all pops off!

[@dianelandis9429]

LOL 😂

[@hughsmith790]

I was interesting in knowing whether the Weld Wheel Building here in Kansas City presented you with any unusual or special challenges? The reason i ask this is because i noticed one day driving by the site prior to the implosion that half the building had already been demolished. I was wondering if, like the condos you took down in South Padre Island, did you have to remove part of the structure (the parking garage in South Padre) to get the rest of the building to end up in the drop zone without encroaching on the railroad tracks a few feet away? It was an amazing job as always. I was near by when you imploded the Century Link Building in Overland Park, KS a number of years ago and got some amazing stills of that implosion.

[@dianelandis9429]

I've watched the full-length South Padre Island video at least 3 times. Absolutely fascinating! And then they worked on the Miami condos building, and it was like: Hey! Those are my guys!

[@ts_andro]

Great job!

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!

[@Mike44460]

@ 1:06, The railroad, all railroads take a dim view of anyone messing with their tracks.

[@ke6gwf]

You can imagine all the planning meetings with the railroad before this lol

[@joeandrews7329]

The building fell from bottom left to top right as it collapsed. From Joe. X

[@davidsuperdavelarson6174]

Bought my fair share of wheels from them.

[@billmadison2032]

yup can't believe mine started there

[@michaelp.Watermaker]

Very impressive! 🙂

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thank you!

[@jerryfrederick6610]

Nice!

[@TheLoizeauxGroupLLC]

Thanks!

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

So bloody clever

[@Hambone556]

Weird, it fell at about the same speed as two other buildings...

[@firealarmtechguy4444]

You guys know when the Tropicana in Las Vegas is going down?

[@dianelandis9429]

Good question...

[@Tylermichernandez]

I use to go explore that building a couple years ago. There was so much graffiti inside it was so cool.

[@JungleYT]

*Just trying to picture the control box for the explosives - L.E.D.s flashing in sequence or something?*

[@duanebrimhall2556]

"I hear you knocking, but you can't come in..." Who said anything about coming in?

[@AdventuringwiththeS.G.O.C.C]

I had Weld's on two of my cars.

[@rebelyankee4458]

Just like building seven

[@firestunt]

I literally thought the thumbnail was the Titanic.

[@GAIS414]

That's one way of removing that ugly graffiti.

[@dominikmartinisko]

Cdi try released all your old videos demolishing old structures outside america like compilation

[@Tom2-Spiel]

0:39 Union Pacific

[@RobertCraft-re5sf]

It's also wonderful to see all of that ugly disgusting graffiti removed.

[@JohnShinn1960]

👍🤠

[@fistteam]

Sad though, seeing another American icon, known for producing probably the best racing wheels in the world come down…#ErasureOfHistory!

[@catlady8324]

“Implosion” is a very misunderstood and misused word.

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

Building 7…….is that you

[@P2Feener305]

I thought I seen this before

[@SupremeRuleroftheWorld]

its looks so effortless, that usually means its very not simple or effortless to make it look like that.

[@Ned-p1y]

Don’t understand why they don’t do this on a rainy day

[@outby50]

Because they have to coordinate all kinds of things far in advance like security, road, and rail closures, and they can't get the weather to coordinate with them.

[@TeresitaPatacsil-t9h]

😮😮😮

[@anandguruji83]

IMPLOSION OF WELD WHEEL 🛞 BUILDING

[@anandguruji83]

IMPLOSION OF WELD WHEEL 🛞 BUILDING

[@SLO-Ride]

WHAT?? No drone footage?? That's does it! Unsubscribed!! .............................................jus' kidd'n 🚁

[@lukestertv4337]

1:32

[@wayneheigl5549]

C.D.I. your slipping up, you got some dust on the rail road tracks. lol lol lol