Norfolk Southern B33: Jackson to Kalamazoo Updates

[DelayInBlock]

I wanted to start a more organized thread on the new westbound local on the Michigan Line (the old 38/39E). For the first run, the train had a Sadmiral Cab SD40-2 (with the original SOU P5 horn), a ex-CR GP38-2, a ex-BN Liquified Natural Gas SD40-2 unit, and one last Operation Lifesaver GP38-2. 29 empties and two loads, with more cars to be picked up in Battle Creek on the return trip east. This isn't yet confirmed, but I believe the new eastbound will takeover as the B34, seeing as it appears that the new train will pick up the former B34's (as we knew it prior to 4/20) cars.

I imagine that Grand Elk is going to have a monster sized southbound, combining the new train's cars with their own 303.

[DelayInBlock]

Looks like NS is bringing in the big guns for the B33. Yesterday was the first time I've ever seen an SD70 in Jackson.

[SousaKerry]

I have seen those and Dash-9's at jackson before but that was several years ago I must admit.

[DelayInBlock]

65 outbound cars last night.

[rettop]

Am I reading this correctly----four engines to pull a mess of empties. This must be a group of "junkers" to finish the run, or just incase a few of them break down

[AARR]

Am I reading this correctly----four engines to pull a mess of empties. This must be a group of "junkers" to finish the run, or just incase a few of them break down

Perhaps it was an engine transfer or perhaps the return train was huge

[Ypsi]

Am I reading this correctly----four engines to pull a mess of empties. This must be a group of "junkers" to finish the run, or just incase a few of them break down

Perhaps it was an engine transfer or perhaps the return train was huge

It was not uncommon for 38E to run west with 4-6 units, then return as 39E with just 2 units. Generally the power shifts pretty quick, so likely a power swap with Elkhart. I would bet only 2 units were online for the run as that is what they did when sending units back and forth on this end.

[NSSD70ACe]

I haven't seen any NS power in Kalamazoo since the beginning of these runs. Is NS staging power here or is it all out of Jackson?

Thanks

[GTW]

The times I have heard B33 on the radio usually around 11:00 to 12:00 pm at Kalamazoo Dearborn tells them go back light to Jackson.

[NSSD70ACe]

Sounds like there's a chance that they might be coming in soon, if it's daily.

Thanks for the info GTW!

[NSSD70ACe]

Looks like B33 came and left Kalamazoo already; two yard-length consists are sitting on the yard leads. The GDLK power hasn't moved since I saw them last night and 302 isn't around.

[ThreeRiversChris]

Looks like B33 came and left Kalamazoo already; two yard-length consists are sitting on the yard leads. The GDLK power hasn't moved since I saw them last night and 302 isn't around.

You didn't miss 302 by much. They came south through TR around 12:30?

[bctrainfan]

There is a long NS mixed freight e/b thru Battle Creek right now (02:40) on the Michigan line, NS 7703 leads NS 9962 with 66 mixed cars, including some AMTK ballast cars.

[NSSD70ACe]

Amtrak ballast cars? Those were in Gearhart yesterday, sitting on the yard leads. I guess the train I reported as B33 was actually the 302 cars for NS.

[DelayInBlock]

Per word of a friend at NS, the B33 is now a Sunday-Thursday job.