CSX Train Location Updates August - 2024

[GLC 392]

7210+8 on L302-24, running elephant style with 87 cars. By Howell at 18:54.

19:54 - Thru the diamond at Trowbridge. 7210 put on quite the smoke show as they accelerated after being stopped by CN.
Looks like CSX is getting ready to replace the signals at the diamond.

Were there new signals up or just work going on?

[Tom49801]

L302-24 @ 21:43 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 260 axles. CSX engines #7210 + #8 (elephant style) & 62 cars. He had work for Lansing – final destination is Grand Rapids, Mi.

[amessmann]

Were there new signals up or just work going on?

New bases in the ground, purple spray paint and flags. I will write it into a post in the Plymouth & GR sub-div work thread: https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39383
Pictures will be included in the post which I plan to begin writing shortly. Lots of interesting equipment, it even looks like CN is working on their signals back there.

[Tom49801]

R598-24 @ 02:07 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 12 axles. CSX engines #819 + #966 lite power headed to Grand Jct siding mp CG54 to pick up C800-24 loaded coal train with BNSF engine #8542 leading that had tied down in Grand Jct Siding mp CG54 yesterday & take the train to the power plant in West Olive, Mi.

R598-24 @ 03:11 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 544 axles. BNSF engine #8542 & CSX engines #966 + #819 & 130 loaded coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #6103.

R598-24 @ 03:46 eastward Holland, Mi Depot mp CG25.3 with BNSF engine #8542 & CSX engines #966 + #819 & 130 loaded coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #6103. In about ½ mile he’ll diverge onto the west end of the Wye & onto the Fremont sub-division.

[CSXT8390]

16:58 - L303-24 east thru EE Trowbridge with 3332 and 7242 leading 104 cars per my own count.
Bringing up the rear were 47 cars numbered in the CSXT 604000 range. Unsure what they are used for. CSXT 483349 in there as well.

I'm curious to know where these cars originate from & where they're going to when loaded.

From a Google search:

Slab railroad cars, also known as flatcars, are used to transport steel slabs from steel mills to fabricators for construction projects. The cars are designed to carry steel slabs of different sizes and weights by placing them longitudinally on the car and using side stanchions to keep them in place. A single flatcar can carry up to 110 tons of steel.

Click this link & scroll down the page to "Slab Car"

https://freightcaramerica.com/flat-cars/

By the way, heard L302-24's job briefing earlier (at 14:41) that was mostly static but sounded like CSX engine #7210 is leading & has a trailing engine & with might be 83 cars (32 loads + 51 empties) & has work for Lansing.

AFIK they go to and from AK Steel next to the Ford River Rouge plant.

[Tom49801]

Thank you for the slab car info, CSXT8390

R598-24 @ 06:27 modified their EC1 to depart the power plant in West Olive, Mi mp CGP 1.0 & diverge onto the Fremont sub-div & head south to the Grand Rapids sub-div in Holland, Mi with CSX engines #819 + #966 lite power. He’ll be taking Wells Siding mp CG41.4 & tying down.

Amtrak P371-25 @ 06:35 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 in Zeeland, Mi with 20 axles. IDTX engine #4602 & 4 cars (Venture Business + Venture Coach + AmCafe + Venture Coach).

Amtrak P371-25 @ 07:12 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 in Pearl, Mi with 20 axles.

R598-24 @ 07:13 westward Holland Depot mp CG25.3 with CSX engines #819 + #966 lite power.

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P371-25 @ 07:39 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG66.2 in Hartford, Mi with 20 axles. IDTX engine #4602 & 4 cars (Venture Business + Venture Coach + AmCafe + Venture Coach).

[dave989]

Observed from the oval at Wyoming Yard. L-303-25 is doubling his train with 7210 & number 8 running elephant style.

[Andy24]

Observed from the oval at Wyoming Yard. L-303-25 is doubling his train with 7210 & number 8 running elephant style.

L303-25 @ 12:40pm Job Briefing with RN Dispatcher in Grand Rapids, Mi: CSX #7210 + CSX #8 (elephant style) with 74 cars (22 loads and 52 empties) @ ???? tons and ???? Ft long. He’s ready to depart and has NO(?) work in Lansing (?). (I had a hard time getting the tonnage and length for this train during its briefing)

[Talk]

7210+8 on L302-24, running elephant style with 87 cars. By Howell at 18:54.

19:54 - Thru the diamond at Trowbridge. 7210 put on quite the smoke show as they accelerated after being stopped by CN.
Looks like CSX is getting ready to replace the signals at the diamond.

Were there new signals up or just work going on?

Signal bases are in

[Andy24]

L303-25 @ 12:40pm Job Briefing with RN Dispatcher in Grand Rapids, Mi: CSX #7210 + CSX #8 (elephant style) with 74 cars (22 loads and 52 empties) @ ???? tons and ???? Ft long. He’s ready to depart and has NO(?) work in Lansing (?). (I had a hard time getting the tonnage and length for this train during its briefing)

L303-25 @ 13:41 eastward 36th St mp CH144.34 with CSX #7210 + CSX #8 (elephant style) with 74 cars (22 loads and 52 empties. In the consist were mostly large 3-4 bay empty hoppers, some tankers, 3 large high gondolas that smells like trash hoppers, 4 NSSX hoppers loaded with ties with 1 AOLX reefer, 3 loaded centerbeams, couple boxcars near rear end and some low walled gondolas

R crew at 14:10 moving with BNSF #9240 at West Olive

[Tom49801]

L303-25 @ 14:22 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 308 axles. CSX engines #7210 + #8 (elephant style) & 74 cars (22 loads + 52 empties).

R598-25 @ 14:29 copied their EC1 to depart the power plant in West Olive, Mi mp CGP 1.0 & diverge onto the Fremont sub-div & head south with BNSF engines #9240 + #9055 lite power to the Harlem Siding mp CGC28.8 to pick up 4 loaded coal cars & take them to the power plant.

[Saturnalia]

14:00 CT: M326 by Michigan City

[Tom49801]

L303-25 @ 15:04 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 308 axles. CSX engines #7210 + #8 (elephant style) & 74 cars (22 loads + 52 empties). He has work for Lansing.

[Tom49801]

14:00 CT: M326 by Michigan City

M326-25 @ 15:48 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 404 axles. CSX engines #916 + #3016(?) & 98 cars (yesterday's M327-24 had CSX engines #3016 + #916). M326 will be re-crewed at the east end of Grand Junction mp CG54. Crew has 33 minutes of on duty time left.

M326-25 @ 16:46 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG66.2 Hartford, Mi with 404 axles.

[amessmann]

17:19 - L303-25 calling clear for EE Trowbridge.

[Tom49801]

R597-25 re-crewed M326-25 @ 17:23 mp C54 & proceeding eastward with CSX engines #916 + #3016(?) & 98 cars.

R597-25/M326-25 @ 17:53 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 404 axles. He'll be stopping at the east end of Wells mp CG41.4 to copy form EC1 for a crossing malfunction.

[JT Railfan]

6:10 PM CSX L302 clear Brighton with 3217 and 787

[Tlout]

West Olive empties south at Riley St. Holland 6:53 PM.

[GRHC]

R597-25/M326-25 passing through Zeeland Michigan @ 18:58


CSX engines #916 + #3016 + 98 cars.

Note: this evening train has in its consist a couple of Burlington Northern covered hoppers in their original paint as well as a straggler coal car for the power plant.