CN Train Location Updates - October 2023

[Delray]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9 CN x2

[David Collins]

Westbound manifest (A491?) clear the diamonds at Mishawaka with three GEVO’s for power.

[bluewonderrails]

M394 east clear mp225 at 15:05. CN quartet #8942 + #5698 + #5680 + #5459

[Manistique]

What was probably 116 (I just saw racks, no containers but it did have two CN locomotives) went past MP 22.5 at around 12:15 pm today. Short train.

[LansingRailFan]

19:30 - EB E280 81 with CN 8934/CN 2329 thru Mishawaka, IN

[bluewonderrails]

M302 east clear mp205 cam at 07:15. 2 CN. Took Shaftsburg siding by 08:00 to wait out P365. Relatively short M302 as it took close to 90 seconds front to end clearing cam. No dpu.
-- -There's a WB freight not fully lined behind P365 yet. Lined up to cpW Flint, about 10 miles from DUS where P365 still is as of posting time but it should be on the move momentarily.

Z149 west clear mp205 cam at 07:33. 2 CN.

CN #3976 (ex CREX with PTC) was reported in Port Huron at 06:53.

[Manistique]

SB 515 passed MP 22.5 at 8:20 am with a long train, running a bit later than usual too. Six boxcars for Chrysler. Some gondolas for DCON it looked.

[bluewonderrails]

A492 east clear mp208 at 09:55. CN duo #8922 + #3125 + GTW #5815. Took M1 and will take Thorofare from cpMill to cpCedar due to track work on M2

The aforementioned WB in my 08:08 post likely took siding in Shaftsburg to wait out not only 492 but also an EB that line behind it after since nothing is taking M2 between 208.3 Potterville and 227.5 Okemos. WB given a [little] layover

[bluewonderrails]

Q116 east clear mp208 at 11:06. CN duo #8945 + #8861. Racks - stacks - then another helping of racks. No stop at Cory or reverse moves. aking Thorofare in Lansing

E271 at Shafts told he'd be waiting on 492 + 116. M399 should/could be in front of him

Virtually all single track between mp197 & mp239

[Delray]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9:07 CN x5

[Manistique]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9:07 CN x5

Passing MP 22.5 at 11:20 am. Seems like all the locomotives are pulling. Long train. Wouldn't know there has been a UAW strike for a month now with the size of 251 lately.

[bluewonderrails]

(please bare with this updating post until someone else posts)


While driving home, I overheard dispatch inform Lansing local R934 that trains would be taking the Thorofare all day with M2 closed off. R934 acknowledged and intends to do what he can before possibly being on hold a whlle.

Waverly Rd in Lansing, mp218.13 is closed to NB/SB traffic so they're all detouring, and with trains only taking the Thorofare at restricted speed, can make quite a hectic day. I passed by all of Q116 end to front returning home. At the time, that's still a good 17mi (mp235, not mp239 I thought) so finally meet M399 + E271 though he'll pick up speed at mp221.5 cpCedar.

M399 + E271 if permitted may as well take a nap or continue one. If that's not all, with hypothetical 'single track' between mp197 (cpWalton) + mp235 (cpW Shaftsburg), there's another WB actively at cpVernon mp250.6 and E251 is lined up close to Durand. All four WBs [likely] will take Thorofare.

As for mp218.13 Waverly Rd in Lansing, there's been ties sitting by for a few months, so, whatever planned work was set for there, must be finally beginning. Couldn't quite tell from my drive-by position.



Update #1: Train from Bancroft lined to proceed on single track there to Shaftsburg, so, unable to have three trains on one track in Shaftsburg, M399 at least had/has to proceed. If so, I'm rather confused by all the prior notifications. This means M2 has to be open Cedar/Okemos at least with 116 forced across M1 to cpOkemos.

#2: M396 preparing to depart BC eastward. Informed he'll be taking Thorofare in Lansing

#3: Q116 lined at Bancroft, which means M2 between Cedar/Okemos has to be open with the WBs they're letting continue. If anything for the WBs, their best bet if the track work is west of it near mp218.13, is they take the Delta interchange to Thorofare, which likely then has to mean at least the first WB has to meet M396 at cpMill mp215

#4: Q116 had been doubled up from the autos on an M356, thus why rack - stack - rack on it today

#5: M2 now open at Potterville where M396 is lined across as of 12:32

#6: E251 as of 12:42 actively along Chicago Wye. CN quintet #8816 + #2643 + #2959(rf) + #2329 + #8904(rf). Q116 being lined at the signals E251 clears

#7: 12:55, M396 "was" lined to cpMill along M2, but lineage retracted. Person on scene witnessed signal at 203 go from G to flashing Y .... #7B: M396 now taking M1 at Potterville instead of M2 previously lined from

[bluewonderrails]

M396 east clear mp205 Charlotte cam at 13:07:47. CN trio #8841 + 2826 + #2283

Trains are at least not taking M2 between Cedar/Okemos. M396 will meet probably both M399 + E271 at cpMill. Both WBs lined to M1 Okemos after meeting Q116 in W Shaftsburg. From M1, they'll stay through onto Thorofare then take the interchange at cpMill to M2

[Manistique]

116 passing MP 22.5 at 2:41 pm. Right before Amtrak arrived at Pontiac station with a P42 leading a dome car and observation car (the grey private ones) then the usual train consist with a Charger at the rear.

[bluewonderrails]

E271 west clear mp202 at 14:50. CN duo #5794 + #5764

M399 west clear mp202 at 15:15. CN trio #3976 (ex CREX with PTC) + #2882 + mid dpu #3102

[Manistique]

NB 515 passed MP 22.5 on its way back to Pontiac Yard at 4 pm.

[Manistique]

507 passing MP 22.5 at 5:55 pm.

[GTW6401]

508 departing from Pontiac. No work at Moterm.

GTW 5815 in tow for Flat Rock.

[GTW6401]

L507 is working in Pontiac. CN 3130 is the lead motor

[bluewonderrails]

M399 west clear mp227.5 at 09:33. CN duo #2238 + #8806. 6 new and shiny AMGX gons head the freight