News Briefs - February, 2002
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Michigan Railroad Memorabilia Show and Sale...
This coming Sunday, March 3, 2002 the annual Michigan Railroad Memorabilia Show & Sale will be held at St. Albert the Great located on Annapolis and Parker in Dearborn Heights. Show hours are from 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. This show features real railroad related items, but no toy trains. The Michigan Railroad Club will be having a table at this show. Stop by and see what the MRC has planned for its 65th anniversary year.
UP locomotives passing through...
Anthony Rzucidlo reports observing new Union Pacific power passing through the Detroit area. Three brand new SD70M Union Pacific locomotives, numbers 4742, 4743 and 4744 were observed in the CSX Rougemere Yard this past Sunday (2/24). The units have an American flag on the side of the hood and near the end of the hood is the UP sheild with the following saying "Building America." They appear to be enroute from the factory to the railroad. They were being pulled by CP locomotives.
The weather cooperated and a great group of railfans met this afternoon at the Vicksburg Union Station (former GTW/PRR). Mark Worrall gets the credit for coming up with the idea of having participants on the various
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Railfans gather at the Vicksburg Depot - February 23, 2002 |
"boards" get together for a face to face meeting.
Many of us have communicated for several years but never met face to face until this meeting.
CN treated us to a couple of passing trains and Mark gave each participant a copy of a 1904 photograph of the Vicksburg Union Station from his collection.
Several participants brought photographs and memorabilia to show around and the depot museum had a number of old railroad artifacts that were enjoyable, including rail photo books, telegrapher equipment, waybills, and train orders. The museum also hosts a former GTW caboose, a ice house car and a small tank car (all with friction bearings).
The most unusual photo album being shown around was of Dave Lang's July, 2001 wedding.
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Dave and Amy Lang's Wedding Day venture - July 21, 2001 to the CN Battle Creek Engine House. Amy... your a good sport. We couldn't believe he asked you to do this! |
Dave talked his wife Amy into swinging by the CN Battle Creek Yard after the wedding ceremony and before the wedding reception for a photo session at the engine house. (Editor's Note: That is true love!).
The group had a very enjoyable time and agreed to meet again for more talk and maybe a slide show. If this happens, the date and time will be posted here and everyone is invited.
NS Dispatcher changes...
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following is the latest Norfolk Southern dispatcher desk setup at Lake
Division headquarters in the Fort Wayne, IN dispatching office:
Desk 1- New Castle & Frankfort Districts
Desk 2- Chicago, IMC, Fort Wayne, & Cincinnati Districts
Desk 3- Detroit, Huntington, & Fort Wayne Terminal District
Desk 4- Cleveland, Toledo, & Sandusky Districts
Desk 5- Columbus & Dayton Districts
Desk 6- Fostoria, Lima, & Bellevue Terminal Districts
The Cincinnati District will be transferred to Desk 2 on February 23rd,
2002. The Sandusky District will be transferred to Desk 4 in March
2002. The Dayton District (former Conrail Cincinnati Line) will be
transferred to Desk 5 in May 2002. Norfolk Southern rules will apply on
the Dayton district. Norfolk Southern rules will be supplemented with
NORAC rules in the new Lake Division employee timetable later this year.
Information courtesy of Terry Mefford via the Conrail Technical
Society.
Teamsters Pledge to Support BLE...
CLEVELAND, February 21 -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)
is lending its full support to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
in its battle to preserve historic rail operating crafts and to fend off
raiding attempts by the United Transportation Union.
"It is my understanding that UTU severed its ties with the AFL-CIO for
the sole purpose of raiding the BLE," wrote Teamsters General President
James P. Hoffa. "Such action must not be tolerated." With 1.4
million members, the IBT is the largest transportation union in the
AFL-CIO. "Be assured that the Teamsters will support the BLE in
its campaign to convince the National Mediation Board to refrain from
changing its long term definition of rail operating crafts to a single
craft," Hoffa wrote. "In addition, you can count on the Teamsters’
Government Affairs Department to assist the BLE in its lobbying
efforts."
The UTU, which dropped out of the AFL-CIO in March of 2000 to avoid
sanctions, is raiding BLE membership by attempting to change operating
craft structure in the railroad industry and forcing a series of
representation elections. In essence, the UTU is seeking to take
over the BLE by asking the National Mediation Board to eliminate the
historic operating crafts of locomotive engineer, conductor, brakeman,
switchman, fireman, hostler, and hostler helper, and combine them into a
single craft of "train and engine service employees." The National
Mediation Board has given KCS management until February 22 to submit
certain information regarding the cross-utilization of employees working
in the operating crafts. Should the NMB create a single craft on
any carrier, it would force a representation election on that property
to determine which union would represent the new craft. This would allow
the UTU to use its greater numbers as leverage in raiding the BLE --
while attempting to destroy it.
"We, like the BLE, understand what it means to honor another union’s
historical jurisdiction, and we vow to work closely with the BLE on this
important issue," President Hoffa concluded. In addition to the
Teamsters, the BLE has received similar letters of support from 11 other
unions representing a total of more than 5 million members.
Forwarded by the Conrail Technical Society.
International passengers now stay on train...
Mike Frezell reports that beginning February 19, 2002, passengers on the westbound Toronto-Chicago Amtrak "International" are being allowed to stay on the train rather than ride a Sarnia-Port Huron bus across the border. U.S. Immigration and Customs personnel again will come to the train. He adds that this indignity was not in effect for eastward travel. Info from the National Association of Railroad Passengers.
At about 8:00 p.m. tonight, Sunday, February 17th, CSX derailed about 3 cars at the rear of a southbound auto rack train which was leaving Walbridge Yard. One of the three cars, which was still on the yard lead, completely tipped over on its side. The main line remained open. After a review by the trainmaster and car department, the train continued southbound towards Fostoria, minus its rear cars. Wrecking crews have been dispatched.
Owosso RS-3 to head new dinner train...
From Ray Kammer... Since a couple of people have been asking about the RS-3 in Owosso, I figured I'd better explain it. The RS-3 (#1508) will be heading to Coopersville (C&M) for the startup of a new dinner train called the "Spirit Of Coopersville". Expected start-up for the dinner train is early July. Joining the RS-3 will be a dining car currently undergoing restoration in the WMSRR shops in Cumberland, MD. In addition to that, a former Sante Fe coach has been converted into a table car (which is already in Coopersville). If anyone as anymore questions, please feel free to ask. Click for email link.
Railfans to meet in Vicksburg...
An informal meeting of participants from the MichiganRailroads.com Lower Peninsula message board have decided to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23rd at the Vicksburg Depot museum. The museum is open every Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All railfans are invited to attend this gathering to talk trains and trade stories. The depot should be interesting and with any luck, you will get to see CN train action.
Details are sketchy but apparently the CSX derailed a train at its busy Fostoria, Ohio crossing. 15-18 cars are on the ground at the east end of the west absolute signal. The derailed train was Q384. To listen to radio traffic at Fostoria, click here.
Amtrak to begin ITCS testing...
The Amtrak ITCS test train set arrived in Niles, MI this afternoon and is currently on the controlled siding at the Niles, MI Amtrak station. The consist is as follows: AMTK 28 (Phase IV), Coach 51003, Cafe 53001, Coach 54514, and AMTK 36 (Phase V). The test train should start after 07:00 EST Monday (2/11) and run through Friday morning (2/15), checking the crossings at 110 MPH on the Amtrak Line between CP-192 and CP-147.
Attempt to abolish Conrail Police held up by union...
Conrail's police department was to be disbanded yesterday (February 8th), but that effort has apparently been delayed by union efforts. Under the plan, CSX and NS police were to handle Conrail PD duties in Michigan - with NS to handling areas north and east of the city center, and CSX handling south and west. Info from Anthony Rzucidlo.
CSX Paint Schemes - Old and New...
CSX is now down to eight active locomotives, excluding Conrail units, in predecessor paint schemes, according to the Conrail Technical Society. These are the units in old paint and their last locations:
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Seaboard System SW-1500 #1115 (Nashville, TN)
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Seaboard System GP-38-2 #2667 (Indianapolis, IN)
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Seaboard System SD-40 #4601 (Cincinnati, OH)
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C&O blue/yellow #4617 (Cincinnati, OH)
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Chessie System GP-40 #6565 (Hamlet, NC)
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Chessie System GP-40 #6602 (Parkersburg, WV)
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Chessie System GP-40 #6629 (Hamlet, NC)
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Chessie System GP-40 #6854 (Corbin, KY)
But, then CSXT President Michael Ward announced today that the railroad is adopting a new paint design for its locomotive fleet as a visual symbol of the "new" CSXT. Ward said the idea to adopt a new design came from employees. "Employees told us that a new paint design on our locomotives would be a visible symbol that we are a different company and also would serve to unify our work force," he said. "Many of you have heard me say, 'Can you imagine the power of 35,000 people all pulling together?' Locomotives are the 'power' for our trains, and our 35,000 employees are the power driving our company. To become a great company, we all have to pull together as employees of CSXT. The new blue and gold design will save money, wear better and be a terrific symbol of a new and unified company, Ward noted. The new paint is more durable and fade-resistant to help the locomotives maintain a fresher appearance longer. All new and rebuilt locomotives will be painted a solid, deep blue body with gold nose, tail and trim. The first locomotive to carry the new CSXT paint scheme will be SD50 8503 which has been repainted in Huntington, WV. The new paint scheme is very similar to the Chesapeake & Ohio paint scheme of the late 1960's that was used on the GP35's, SD35's, and the early SD40's.
Click here for the CSX press release with picture.
So, I guess we begin this count-down all over again, now that we have about 9,000 CSX locomotives in "old paint schemes".
Norfolk Southern reports a derailment earlier this morning (2/3/02) near LaPorte, Indiana, that has impacted Norfolk Southern's main line operations near LaPorte (between Chicago, Illinois and Elkhart, Indiana). Several trains normally moving over this route have been delayed. Crews are working to clear and repair tracks so that service can be restored as quickly as possible. Operation over one of the lines is expected to be restored late this afternoon. To the extent possible, priority shipments are being rerouted, however, customers with traffic normally moving through this area should expect up to a 24 hour delay.
Amtrak trains 29(02) and 49(02) are terminating at South Bend with passengers being bussed to Chicago, IL. Some with connections were sent by cab to Niles, MI to board Amtrak 351(03). It is highly unlikely that any trains will detour via the Amtrak Line to Kalamazoo because these trains lack ITCS equipment. Now, Amtrak trains 49(02) and 29(02) (empty equipment) are now set to move via the South Shore and Illinois Central to Chicago, IL. Pilots are enroute. 44(03) is also running via the Illinois Central and South Shore as well. Last report states that Amtrak trains 48(03), 30(03) and 43(03) are to run via the regular route subject to delays. Info from NS and Conrail Technical Society.
From AP... Two Norfolk Southern freight trains collided inside the city limits early Sunday, damaging a commercial area and injuring four railroad employees who were on the trains. Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said three of the employees were treated for minor injuries and released from a local hospital, while the fourth was being held with non-life threatening injuries. "Somebody was smiling on us today," Husband said. Each train had two locomotives -- one train had 148 cars, the other 125 cars. Husband said only 25 cars derailed. The trains were carrying mixed freight and no hazardous materials. The eastbound and westbound trains collided early Sunday morning with such force that the eastbound train's engine lifted off the tracks. Police Sgt. Matt Baughman said the train derailed in a commercial area of the city, damaging a construction firm and a warehouse building owned by the city's hospital. He said no one outside the train was injured. The accident shut down some intersections in the city, but caused no major obstructions. "It really wasn't an inconvenience for anyone that lives here," Baughman said. Husband said Norfolk Southern hoped to have one of the tracks back in service by Sunday evening. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
From NS... On Monday, 2/4/02 at 0715, NS reported that the derailment had been cleared, with one of two tracks returned to service Sunday afternoon and the second track returned to service early this morning.
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