TLEW News?

[TrainWatcher]

There are more than 2 miles in use by Midwest, cars are stored nearly all the way to GR

Thanks for that update. Well, I guess if the original TLE&W wants to protect "their land" so to speak, I guess that's one way to do it.

[bluestreak81]

I believe the 200 foot stretch of track is the reconstruction of the collapsed culvert. This has prevented trains from crossing into Grand Rapids for more than a decade.

[DT&I]

I believe the 200 foot stretch of track is the reconstruction of the collapsed culvert. This has prevented trains from crossing into Grand Rapids for more than a decade.

The bridge has prevented them from entering GR, it's unsafe to cross, they've had equipment in GR and Providence for years, just can't move it.

[bluestreak81]

True. They need to replace bridge ties, etc. They're raising funds to accomplish this according to their website. But the culvert also has prevented trains from even reaching the Maumee River bridge. They've been trying to repair the culvert for a long time. It sounds like they may be getting closer to accomplishing this.

[MagnumForce]

I say scrap everything and pull up the rails at this point.

[DT&I]

I say scrap everything and pull up the rails at this point.

They need a customer but that won't happen on the west end ever again, storage cars won't stay forever, yes Brent they should just scrap it. Most of the equipment is crap too. THAY SHULD JUST GET A GEVO AND THER PROLLEMS WILL BE GONE.

[MagnumForce]

Yes, get a GEVO.

[Y@]

Put in an intermodal terminal and all will be golden.

[MagnumForce]

New connection between the Toodles at GR and the MAW at Liberty OH MAN! TOODLES-MAW HIGH SPEED SERVICE!

[BnOEngr]

Grand Rapids Rd crossing has the rail removed until it can be re-done. The culvert is just east of there at Ludwig Rd, and has ties and rail removed in the vicinity.

Midwest Rail is storing about 370 DEEX cars on the TLE&W mainline (they call it an "industrial track" now). There is a smaller amount of covered hoppers stored on the Midwest/NS leased portion in Waterville itself.

[BnOEngr]

Put in an intermodal terminal and all will be golden.

Believe it or not, the Midwest tariff allows for intermodal...

[MagnumForce]

They shipped Intermodal out of Hillsdale at one time, so anything is possible.

[bluestreak81]

Have the stored Toledo Edison coal cars been recently moved?

[Notch 8]

They shipped Intermodal out of Hillsdale at one time, so anything is possible.

I believe what you are referring to is they were semi trailers with HCRC markings but Hillsdale was not the terminal for these trailers.. rubber tires were not hitting the ground in Hillsdale MI, I think this was for some outfit on the east coast...

[MagnumForce]

HCRC most definitely unloaded/loaded piggyback cars circus style in Hillsdale. Not a lot but they did it. They had a green cabover tractor to do it with even.

[BnOEngr]

Have the stored Toledo Edison coal cars been recently moved?

There are currently no storage cars on the line. AFAIK, Toledo Edison doesn't own any coal-hauling railcars.

[MagnumForce]

I found a photo but it is embedded in a PDF.
http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/page ... 96-page-30

[railohio]

Wabash had a trailer ramp in Napoleon.

[railroadchoad]

HCRC most definitely unloaded/loaded piggyback cars circus style in Hillsdale. Not a lot but they did it. They had a green cabover tractor to do it with even.

I remember quite vividly the HCRC hauling piggyback traffic to and from their interchange with Conrail at Quincy. By the time interchange was taking place at Steubenville (with the N&W) I believe that the business had flown the coop. What I have been told is that there were customers of the DCA flour mill on the east coast that received the loaded trailers but arranging for a backhaul to anywhere near Hillsdale proved to be troublesome and the trailers were riding the rails empty on their westbound move. Of course, Conrail or any other railroad involved in the move didn't care that the trailers were empty and charged for the move regardless. That, as I understand it, is what killed the intermodal business out of Hillsdale.
Operationally, "circus-style" loading and unloading is a pain in the @$$, as well. If a flat came into town facing the wrong way, it would have to be wyed in order for the tractor to access it from the proper direction. In the case of Hillsdale, all trailers had to be facing east. It was a time consuming operation.

[DT&Ifan]

Does the ROW extend all the way from Grand Rapids to the Henry County Line?

If they have a broken culvert at Ludwig road and have to upgrade the ties on the bridge to pass inspection it is no wonder they are hurting! Looks like the bulk of their rolling stock is stuck in Grand Rapids and inaccessible.