The tie gang made it to Michigan City last night - made plenty of noise and shut down Roeske, Greenwood and Carroll, at least, maybe more further west. It'll be nice to have new crossing surfaces*, but it's a PITA driving around here right now!
*assuming somebody competent paves them. Not holding my breath.
They need someone from the RR or the highway authority who cares about about getting a quality job - proper bit density and a good riding approach. (I'm retired )
In the pipeline is a B23528 for Webberville. Crew called at Garrett to take train to Walbridge, then will need a crew to Plymouth.
I’m still confused about why these potash trains take the long way around. 4 crews needed to get it from Chicago to Webberville and that’s if the Plymouth sub crew has the time to run around at Williamson and then spot it in the Webberville stub end yard.
Also: The subject Van Den Bosch hoppers, if anyone is curious:
IMG_5294.jpeg
The hoppers were loaded in Onida SD, both now E. Previous loads have originated there.
Last edited by Raildudes dad on Wed May 29, 2024 10:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Amtrak P370-29 @ 22:19 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 in Pearl, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches).
R598-29 @ 22:30 copied their EC1 to depart Wells Siding mp CG41.6 & proceed eastward with BNSF engine #9263 & CSX engines #858 + #7381 & 130 loaded coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #8493 @ 18,542 tons & 7,200 feet long. He’s headed to the power plant in West Olive, Mi. This was C800-29 that had tied down in Wells 2 hours ago.
20:45 - L302 west through South Lyon.
Green Oak DD at CH39.1 said 328 axles.
L302-29 @ 22:48 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 328 axles. CSX engines #7286 + #813 & 79 cars. It doesn't appear he had work in Lansing based on the same axle counts (though it is possible). His final destination is Grand Rapids, Mi.
Amtrak P370-29 @ 22:55 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 in Zeeland, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches).
L302-29 @ 23:30 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 328 axles.
Last edited by Tom49801 on Thu May 30, 2024 4:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
L302-29 @ 22:48 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 328 axles. CSX engines #7286 + #813 & 79 cars. It doesn't appear he had work in Lansing based on the same axle counts (though it is possible). His final destination is Grand Rapids, Mi.
It look them a few hours to get thru Plymouth this evening. I wonder if they decided to skip Lansing because of the delay.
I’m still confused about why these potash trains take the long way around. 4 crews needed to get it from Chicago to Webberville and that’s if the Plymouth sub crew has the time to run around at Williamson and then spot it in the Webberville stub end yard.
Also: The subject Van Den Bosch hoppers, if anyone is curious:
IMG_5294.jpeg
The "Plymouth Sub" crew comes from Grand Rapids. Their only task with the train is to take it from Plymouth (Either Beck Road/Northside Pass or Lilly Road) and put it away. It rarely doesn't make it from Plymouth to Webberville unless something fails mechanically.
The hoppers were loaded in Onida SD, both now E. Previous loads have originated there.
Replying to a few things at once here:
RDD, thanks for this information. I was curious where their loads might originate. Regardless, you can fit a lot of bird seed in a hopper car! Thanks.
CSXT8390, your info makes sense about hauling from PLY to WEB and putting the train away. But 4 crews via Garrett, Walbridge and Plymouth seems expensive compared to what I would think would be just 2 crews if going via Grand Rapids. Perhaps the tonnage exceeds the limits for Saugatuck Hill? I would be curious to know the B235 tonnage if possible.
The tie gang made it to Michigan City last night - made plenty of noise and shut down Roeske, Greenwood and Carroll, at least, maybe more further west. It'll be nice to have new crossing surfaces*, but it's a PITA driving around here right now!
*assuming somebody competent paves them. Not holding my breath.
They need someone from the RR or the highway authority who cares about about getting a quality job - proper bit density and a good riding approach. (I'm retired )
Most contractors ignore compaction between the rails and over the tie ends it seems like. Takes extra care and some smaller machines to do right. A lot of the “big names” in the business just treat it like an interstate. Can’t just bring a big roller and get it compacted enough at the track, so of course it settles almost immediately. Ugh.
An R job either tonight or tomorrow is going to get a set of coal empties together shove it north of the Consumer’s switch on the Fremont. The Michigan Shore will be coming to get it at some point and bring it north for storage in Norton Shores. Burner 2 and 3 will be down for at least a month at West Olive and they have a huge supply of coal on hand, you might see more empties headed for storage. Don’t expect to many coal loads in June.
R598-29 after setting of their loaded coal train in West Olive had modified their EC1 @ 04:17 to show BNSF engine #8755 is now the leader & moving empty coal cars. The conversation was broken up but did hear the Dispatcher saying "oh, so you're not bringing the train to Grand Junction or Wells". Apparently, these cars are headed to Norton Shores for storage.
M327-30 @ 05:22 Grand Rapids, Mi mark up with the RN Dispatcher: CSX engines #5246 + #5275 (has a dynamic brakes issue & couldn’t be the leader) & 66 cars (29 loads + 37 empties) @ 5,132 tons & 4,006 feet long. He’s building his train at this time.
M327-30 @ 06:31 westward reported from Grandville, Mi mp CG6.0 with a Medium Clear signal. CSX engines #5246 + #5275 & 66 cars (29 loads + 37 empties) @ 5,132 tons & 4,006 feet long.
Amtrak P371-30 @ 06:36 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 in Zeeland, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches).
An R job either tonight or tomorrow is going to get a set of coal empties together shove it north of the Consumer’s switch on the Fremont. The Michigan Shore will be coming to get it at some point and bring it north for storage in Norton Shores. Burner 2 and 3 will be down for at least a month at West Olive and they have a huge supply of coal on hand, you might see more empties headed for storage. Don’t expect to many coal loads in June.
Just in time for the summer heat and increased daytime rates for electricity usage!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimthias/
GRHC - you know every night I can imagine he is in front of his computer screen sitting in his underwear swearing profusely and drinking Blatz beer combing the RailRoadFan website for grammatical errors.
M327-30 @ 06:57 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 276 axles. CSX engines #5246 + #5275 & 66 cars (29 loads + 37 empties) @ 5,132 tons & 4,006 feet long.
Amtrak P371-30 @ 07:14 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 in Pearl, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches).
An R job either tonight or tomorrow is going to get a set of coal empties together shove it north of the Consumer’s switch on the Fremont. The Michigan Shore will be coming to get it at some point and bring it north for storage in Norton Shores. Burner 2 and 3 will be down for at least a month at West Olive and they have a huge supply of coal on hand, you might see more empties headed for storage. Don’t expect to many coal loads in June.
Just in time for the summer heat and increased daytime rates for electricity usage!
Some of us in Ottawa County have a plan to help keep the Campbell generating plant operating beyond this year: https://savethecampbell.com
M327-30 @ 07:18 westward is stopped between the signals at Saugatuck (mp CG32.1/CG33.3) due to having an air compressor warning on his leading engine. His 2nd engine has no dynamic braking (it had arrived Grand Rapids in that condition). He's calling the Mechanical Dept for assistance. He has CSX engines #5246 + #5275 & 66 cars. It appears there's no home for M327 & the MTO is being called. The coal train "Pusher Engines" are still in West Olive, Mi at this time.
Amtrak P371-30 @ 07:29:40 westward N. Center St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.35 IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches) with 0 passengers On/Off at the station mp CG60.5
Last edited by Tom49801 on Thu May 30, 2024 8:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
The "Plymouth Sub" crew comes from Grand Rapids. Their only task with the train is to take it from Plymouth (Either Beck Road/Northside Pass or Lilly Road) and put it away. It rarely doesn't make it from Plymouth to Webberville unless something fails mechanically.
The hoppers were loaded in Onida SD, both now E. Previous loads have originated there.
Replying to a few things at once here:
RDD, thanks for this information. I was curious where their loads might originate. Regardless, you can fit a lot of bird seed in a hopper car! Thanks.
CSXT8390, your info makes sense about hauling from PLY to WEB and putting the train away. But 4 crews via Garrett, Walbridge and Plymouth seems expensive compared to what I would think would be just 2 crews if going via Grand Rapids. Perhaps the tonnage exceeds the limits for Saugatuck Hill? I would be curious to know the B235 tonnage if possible.
Loaded is roughly 12,000 tons. So yes, it “exceeds” tonnage for both the hill and likely the power. But they could easily attach the pushers or DP the train like they do for coal trains if they planned it properly. All they would need would be a DP capable engine leading the train. The tonnage restriction on the hill is 10,000 tons unless DP equipped or using helper service.
My opinions and statements are my own personal views and do not represent those of my employer or any other employee associated with my employer unless specifically stated as such.
M327-30 @ 08:07 was heard telling a Track Inspector Y121's crew is headed to the power plant in West Olive, Mi to grab 1 of 2 pairs of BNSF engines to bring to him. M327 is had broke down between the signals at Saugatuck (mp CG32.1/CG33.3)
Amtrak P371-30 @ 08:20 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4613 & 3 cars (Venture Business + 2 Venture Coaches).
Y121-30 @ 08:32 copied their EC1 to depart Harlem siding mp CGC 28.5 on the Fremont sub-div & head south onto the Grand Rapids sub-div in Holland, Mi with BNSF engines #8755 + #5762 to deliver to M327-30. Some confusion due to the radio call cutting in & out, there are also 3 loaded coal cars in the Harlem siding & not sure if he is leaving those behind.
L301-30 @ 09:58 Grand Rapids, Mi mark up with the RN Dispatcher: CSX engines #4057 + #2428 & 12 cars (4 loads + 8 empties) @ 902 tons & 734 feet long. He’ll head westward for work at Buzzi Cement mp CG5.2 & then he’ll go into Waverly mp CG22.8 & later westward to Hartford mp CG68.7 & return eastward from there to Holland mp CG25.3 as lite power.
10:06 - Unknown calling a clear pair for Brighton.
11:17 - Z624 asking permission onto CSX at Ann Pere. MOW has priority again, dispatch advising GLC to "have a lunch break."
12:54 - GLC receiving permission onto CSX's track to begin interchanging at Ann Pere.
Last edited by amessmann on Thu May 30, 2024 12:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
M326-30 @ 10:06 per the Dispatcher is at East Curtis mp Bi 246.3 on the Barr sub-division getting onto the NS Line at CP497.
M327-30 @ 10:36 on the move westward from mp CG33.2 with BNSF engines #8755 + #5762 & CSX engines #5246 + #5275 & 66 cars (29 loads + 37 empties) @ 5,549 tons & 4,157 feet long.
L301-30 @ 11:02 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 60 axles. CSX engines #4057 + #2428 & 12 cars. He’s headed into Waverly mp CG22.8 & later he’ll head west for work at Hartford mp CG68.7 & then return eastward to Holland mp CG25.3 as lite power.
M326-30 @ 11:06 per the Dispatcher is on the NS Line at CP487.
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