Michigan Shortlines Updates - October 2014

[AARR]

Per TheVariance, there's a work truck and crane working on Michigan Shore north of North Yard in Muskegon, up near the power plant.

Their putting a spur into the plant. Supposed to average a unit train of coal every 3 days.

[Standard Railfan]

Per TheVariance, there's a work truck and crane working on Michigan Shore north of North Yard in Muskegon, up near the power plant.

Their putting a spur into the plant. Supposed to average a unit train of coal every 3 days.

A more likely scenario would be the installation of a spur on which to spot cars for demolition debris....

[AANscaleRunner]

GLC returns to Cadillac at 1600 with a string of 14-15 hoppers of ties. Heard them leave town around 0930.

[trnwatcher]

17:55 EDT GDLK NB 50TH ST IN WYOMING WITH WSOR 4076,4077 AND 43 CARS.

[J T]

17:55 EDT GDLK NB 50TH ST IN WYOMING WITH WSOR 4076,4077 AND 43 CARS.

I KNEW IT!! Grrrrrrrrrr. I was heading north on 131 and saw the train stopped just south of 54th, but I couldn't see the power. I then got off at Burton to check the view from the overpass to see how the color was in the trees surrounding the tracks. For a moment I pondered driving back down there to see if it was the WSOR power, but instead I continued on home.

FAIL.

Son of a...

[JANGAJONGA]

Has much grain started moving on the GLC? haven't heard of any unit trains.

[Patriot]

GRE --- EB Leonard/Plainfield at 9:55 with 7 CHs and 1 tank.

[Saturnalia]

GRE --- EB Leonard/Plainfield at 9:55 with 7 CHs and 1 tank.

Sounds like the cut that was up by the house yesterday...

[Patriot]

GRE --- WB Leonard/Plainfield at 2:00 with 10 CHs and 2 tanks.

[MIGN-Todd]

Coming down US131 South of Kalkaska, I spotted GLC train with two locos (obscured by trees), a horrid looking green MKT shorty plus 15 or so tank cars painted black with some blue ones mixed in. Not sure but may have been the ones sitting on the northern edge of the wye at Walton Junction. Crossed at M113 and didn't see them at quick glance.

[AANscaleRunner]

Coming down US131 South of Kalkaska, I spotted GLC train with two locos (obscured by trees), a horrid looking green MKT shorty plus 15 or so tank cars painted black with some blue ones mixed in. Not sure but may have been the ones sitting on the northern edge of the wye at Walton Junction. Crossed at M113 and didn't see them at quick glance.

GLC 396 and 398 went north out of Cadillac around 1200. Saw them switching Selma yard around 1030. There was 1 loaded centerbeam and a few empty pulpwood flats for Manton. Don't know if the centerbeam went north today. Passenger consist has been moved to Selma Yard from North Yard.

[csx801]

MMRR 2057 just went south from north yard in muskegon with 2 rusty old 3 bay sandies for Henry street yard. Switch restored for the main where tonights southbound is built. 2019 and 3885 have 627 tonight.

[AANscaleRunner]

GLC 396 and 398 returned to Cadillac from the north around 1400. Pulled 1 empty centerbeam and 3 loads of poles from Manton into Selma Yard. Did about 45 minutes of switching before they retired for the day.

[csx801]

2019 leading Michigan shore south through Norton shores 11:05. Finished work at bay logistics, no setout, pickup 1. 11:23 all lined for the main. 11:36 all lined up at the bridge. Southbound consist 2019, 3885, 1 box, 16 Sandies (Lincoln) and 2 tanks (webb) 19 total for Waverly.

[AARR]

Finished work at bay logistics, no setout, pickup 1. Southbound consist 1 box,

Would you happen to know if the box car is from Shape? Reason I ask is I read the Shape traffic had slowed down if not stopped but was expected to pick up again. Also, at one time Bay was supposed to handle newsprint but I'm not sure if that traffic ever materialized.

[Raildudes dad]

Finished work at bay logistics, no setout, pickup 1. Southbound consist 1 box,

Would you happen to know if the box car is from Shape? Reason I ask is I read the Shape traffic had slowed down if not stopped but was expected to pick up again. Also, at one time Bay was supposed to handle newsprint but I'm not sure if that traffic ever materialized.

Doubt there is any newsprint at Bay. GR Press appears to be all truck.

[csx801]

Finished work at bay logistics, no setout, pickup 1. Southbound consist 1 box,

Would you happen to know if the box car is from Shape? Reason I ask is I read the Shape traffic had slowed down if not stopped but was expected to pick up again. Also, at one time Bay was supposed to handle newsprint but I'm not sure if that traffic ever materialized.

Starting last january, Shape co. cut almost all of their shipments via rail. I heard something about a new facility in Chicago that they were shipping from that they are now trucking to??? (don't quote me on that). From what I know, they are only shipping a very small fraction by rail now, about a car or two a week. this is down from 2 to 4 cars a night average prior to last year.

As for business picking back up, based off personal observation, shipments go through annual ups and downs. Usually from winter to late summer shipments drop back by a large percentage (probably less than a car or two per week). During fall and early winter months, however, shipments usually jump to a few per week again. This compared to previous years prior to reduction in shipments; the difference would be seen by car total. then, the average would be 2 or 3 per night spring and summer, 3 to 5 (maximum 7) during the fall and winter months.

Newsprint business never really took off from Bay logistics unfortunately. I remember seeing CSX deliver a few high cubes a long time ago but it never lasted. even those may have just been early shipments from Shape and not press inbounds.

[AANscaleRunner]

GLC 398 and 396 left Cadillac towards Clare at 0920 with the color tour consist, 3 flats of poles from Manton, 1 empty centerbeam and 8 sand hoppers.

GLC returned to Cadillac at 1525 with at least 6 sand hoppers, 6 or 7 coke hoppers, 2 loads of poles for Mcbain, 1 loaded centerbeam and 9 tank cars.

[cnw8835]

Grand Elk just departed south from Hughart Yard in GR. WSOR 4077 leading if I heard right. First stop is at Green Valley in Moline.

[Patriot]

GRE --- EB Leonard/Plainfield at 8:30 with 12 CHs