Everything/Anything CF&E thread...Part 3

[bnsf8000]

10/3/13. EB CSX loaded welded rail train sitting by the Fisher Ave. crossing in Van Wert with 2 CSX GE's. Waiting for a crew. Left town this afternoon. Also, while I was still at work another I believe EB went through Van Wert after that. Right now they're keeping the rails polished during the daylight hours.

PW

[howeld]

Only movement today was a loaded railtrain eastbound at 5:15pm. Sole Locomotive was MNAR 3898.

[bnsf8000]

10/4/13. LIVW in Van Wert around 5PM today. Had tank and covered hoppers. Didn't see the power. There was yet another daylight train through VW yesterday. Didn't see that one at all.

PW

[howeld]

East bound CSX grain train under I-75 11:20am

Beautiful day to chase a train on east end.

[alittlevanwerty]

CF&E LIFW came through westbound about 9:30, CORP 4023/ CFE 3316 with an empty rail train and one hopper on the rear.

[alittlevanwerty]

3316 and 4024 are bringing in a FWLI as I type. Looks like they may be back to running FWLIs instead of LIFWs.

[bnsf8000]

10/13/13. WB grain train through Van Wert at 4:20PM. In charge were CSX 7653/7306/7887 [all CW40'8's] and around 69 cars. Train was all private owners: heavy on AEX, HMBX, MWCX and DJTX plus also had FURX and NDYX. Nice to catch a train again!

PW

[alittlevanwerty]

Yesterday when I passed Cole st no crews were on duty but in addition to regular power they had 2 pairs of CSX 6 axles. A SD40-3/ Ex Conrail SD60i tied to a FWLI and a C40-8/? GE. Hate missing those cons come through.

[alittlevanwerty]

Here is the FWLI I caught a few weeks ago.

CF&E 4 locomotive lashup in Van Wert Ohio by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

4 engines 4 paint schemes 4 different EMD models by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

Was it common for Pennsy signals to have yellow in the vertical position?

CF&E at Van Wert Diamond with Pennsy Signal by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

CF&E 4 loco lashup knocked down Van Wert Signal by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

[AARR]

Here is the FWLI I caught a few weeks ago.

I enjoy it when you catch them crossing the diamond.

Anyone know the history of how they acquired the GP40x? There were only a few built and it surprises me one would end up on a regional/short line when there is an abundance of more standard locomotives.

[howeld]

CSX grain WB under I-75 at 10:50am

[alittlevanwerty]

If my wife's dr app goes fast we might be able to catch this one in Van Wert and chase it to its western destination....

[Mr. Tops]

Anyone know the history of how they acquired the GP40x? There were only a few built and it surprises me one would end up on a regional/short line when there is an abundance of more standard locomotives.

The same reason you think a short line wouldn't want one is pretty much why Class I's don't want them. There is an abundance of more standard power, meaning they are non-standard power. Even more though, the GP40Xs were GP50 test beds and they have 16-645F prime movers in them, the same as GP50s and SD50s, which were notorious for being junk. 3500hp was pushing the 645 prime mover too far, wheel slip problems, electrical problems. Unreliability and poor performance is ultimately what prompted Class I's to retire, de-rate, or rebuild the GP40Xs and GP50s/SD50s. BNSF still has GP40Xs and GP50s, but they are the only Class I who does. SD50s can still be found on CSX and NS but they are being extensively rebuilt and de-rated.

[bnsf8000]

10/15/13. EB grain train through Van Wert at 5:08PM. Leading were CSX 7887/7306/7653 with around 70 grain cars. Same train that went through WB on 10/13. Had all private owner cars: HMBX, DJTX, AEX, FURX, MWCX and NAHX.

Also, there are 11 soda ash covered hoppers at the Van Wert Terminal and 3 tank cars as of this morning.

The supersite rail crossing of US 127 is complete and they're now working on the Bonnewitz Ave. crossing. They even made a shoolfly for the road traffic. Helps the grain elevator right there to get the loads of grain in by truck/tractor/wagons without much hassle. The supersite rail work crews have put in a switch for PR Tech. Now PR Tech has to do their part if they're going to use it fairly soon.

PW

[howeld]

WB CF&E mixed freight under the interstate at 10:10am. 4036 and 3024 for power

[bnsf8000]

10/17/13. WB grain train after 12 noon through Van Wert. CSX 7721/7759 were leading the charge. Also, sounded like there was an EB this afternoon.

PW

[howeld]

There was only one movement through the construction site today sometime after 10:30am. I believe it was EB. I was sent to another job site during the lunch hour so I didn't see it. I've got at least another 2-3 weeks at the interstate bridge over CF&E. It is too bad the railroad isn't busier as I'm sitting there 10 hours a day 5-6 days a week. Oh well a couple trains a week are better than none.
Derek

[howeld]

Westbound grain with CFE power on both ends. Didnt catch number of lead unit. Green maybe 4024. Rear had newly painted 3023
Under 75 at 11:40am

[alittlevanwerty]

Saturday was a really busy day for the CF&E! A little after noon we spotted 4056/4023 tied down west of Monroe. Must have gotten a crew soon after because they made it to Adams Center rd by 2:45. I shot my video at the top of the grade. They had a heavy train, run 8 and sanders going crazy to get it into the yard! 3880/4034 brought the return train to Lima, 224 axles on the defect detector. We didn't catch them as I promised my wife shopping time

Later in VW they ran back to FTW light, 3024/4036/3880/4034 I believe. Just a few minutes ago they ran a second FWLI 4036/3024 to Lima. 2 in less than 12 hours! Almost like main line action today.

[bnsf8000]

11/11/13. EB FWLI at 5:30PM through Van Wert. Leading and running solo LHF was CFE 3024 with 21 cars. 15 covered hoppers: CGLX, AEX, FMLX ALPX? among others and 6 tank cars: TILX, SHPX and a few others.

Still waiting for the new diamond to be put in VW. Work on the supersite trackage continues as they were working on the new bridge over Town Creek north of town.

Was out by Van Wert Terminal and there were the usual covered hoppers for soda ash and tank cars for transload.

PW