News Briefs - January, 2002
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Soo Line GP-30 #700 goes to Lake Superior Railroad Museum...
The Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth received official written confirmation from the Canadian National today that Soo Line GP30 No. 700 has been officially donated to the museum. A fundraising drive will occur to provide funds for repainting. From Dave Schauer at OreRails.
Amtrak Engine Troubles...
Amtrak #355 ran into water preesure problems near Dexter yesterday (1/28). At MP 44, they notified the dispatcher that their water presure was low and they were coasting at 14 m.p.h. They were hoping to get into Chelsea but didn't make it. About two minutes later, they called back to say they wre stuck right at Central Street in Dexter. The Dexter Fire Department showed up and filled their water tank up, and after resetting the computer a few times they were able to get moving again. They were delayed just over 1/2 hour. From Dan Risdon via MichiganRailroads@yahoogroups.com.
CN changes detector announcement...
CN has changed it's hotbox detector on the Mt. Clemens subdivision at MP 48.6. It now reports as "Canadian National Railroad", instead of Grand Trunk Western. From Dan Meinhard.
New Signals at CP Mill...
New signals have been installed between CP Mill and FN tower near Trenton and were placed into service today (1/29/02). Signal crews continue to test them and the line has been busy with trains today. FN is having a busy day issuing Form D's and coordinating movements with the dispatcher. From Shawn O'Day.
Josh also adds that the
Wyandotte Dragging Equipment Detector at MP11.8 will/has been
moved to MP 11.1 as a NEW DEDAC.
Conrail testing remote-control locomotive in Detroit...
Conrail is currently testing CANAC 7102, a remote-control locomotive in the Detroit Shared Assets Area. The locomotive is currently testing on the first trick job at Livernois Avenue Yard in Detroit, MI. Current plans call for the locomotive to be assigned to the third-trick job at Mack Yard in Detroit, MI sometime later this week. Both labor and management will then be given the opportunity to evaluate the remote-control locomotive. Info from Ken Borg via the Conrail Technical Society.
Update on the Ferrysburg bridge signals (Grand Haven) posted earlier...
Dan Gless sent a comment from Doc Dutton who works for the CSX. He says "I have talked with the maintainers at Grand Rapids that are installing the signal system this afternoon and they assure me that there are no plans to remote control the bridge or anything else. The signals are being put in are to update the bridge to STB/FRA standards which require protections for drawbridges. It is simply new wiring and new signals. Editor's Note: Thanks to both Dan and Doc for the update.
NS Train changes...
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41M, 42J and 43J are off the Michigan Line but the 41M now runs the Detroit Line with a pickup of Jeeps at the MegaYard in Toledo. 49E and 48E run across the Michigan Line for now, being called out of Sterling at 5:30 p.m. and out of Elkhart around the same time.
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19M has been combined with new #331, #331 is Bellevue, Ohio to Oakwood Yard (Melvindale), and works at River Rouge.
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40A a general freightt/intermodal train from Elkhart, Indiana to Oakwood Yard (in Melvindale), works at River Rouge, and Warner/Monroe.
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178 late night SB from Oakwood Yard to Bellevue, Ohio - picks up at Monroe/Warner. It leaves around midnight - in front of or behind 17J.
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17J auto parts, general freight and COFC (container on flat car) leaves Sterling Yard about midnight as well.
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SB 21N is no longer solid intermodal. It usually has head-end COFC/Stacks and general freight. It works River Rouge Yard.
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NB 20N runs in the wee hours of the night on the Detroit Line now.
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50J (a grain train) has been spotted as well, but is unpredictable of course.
Many NS Oakwood trains used to travel west out of Detroit on the NS then turn south on the Ann Arbor to reach Toledo....Well that nostalgic routing is now relegated to history! For NS Train symbols, click here. From Shawn O'Day at MichiganRailroads@yahoogroups.com.
Amtrak International problems...
Amtrak's
Chicago-Toronto International is suffering from harsh policies imposed
on its westbound riders at the U.S. Customs station in Port Huron, Mich.
Passengers and their luggage are forced off the train at Sarnia, Ont.,
driven across the border on buses, processed by U.S. Customs, and then
reboarded at the Port Huron Amtrak station. This procedure takes the
same time as examinations did earlier (which were already quite slow),
but it's extremely inconvenient to passengers. This new procedure was
on-again, off-again in the weeks following the September 11 terror
attacks, but an Amtrak bulletin this week suggests it is occurring
steadily now, leading one to wonder how much longer it will go on. It
appears to be occurring due to fewer Customs agents available (who are
busy taking care of the backed-up highway crossing). Eastbound (entering
Canada), the procedure remains as it had been, with riders staying
aboard the train.
As a result of the U.S. Customs procedures, passenger crossings by rail
have dwindled. Therefore, the Michigan Association of Railroad
Passengers last week recommended to the Michigan Department of
Transportation that the International be replaced with a Port
Huron-Chicago train, similar to the Blue Water in the 1970's (early
morning westbound, evening eastbound). The Michigan DOT has been
considering moving its Chicago-Toronto service closer to Detroit anyway,
for some time now. NARP believes the superior routing for such a train
would be via Dearborn, Detroit, and Port Huron (not via Windsor, which
means skipping Detroit and awkward trackage in Windsor), if it weren't
for the miserable U.S. Customs situation at Port Huron. VIA Rail, for
its part, has considered sending at least some of their Windsor trains
into Detroit, but might face the same Customs problems. From
Mike Frezell.
D&TSL book coming later this year...
Chuck Geletzke's book about the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line Railroad is close to being ready, with a fall publishing date. To learn more about the book, or to line up for a copy hot off the press, go to www.mhpress.com. Good luck with the book Chuck!
New signals for the Ferrysburg (Grand Haven) bridge...
Bob Topping, editor of West Michigan Rail Photos, reports that 4 new "Type C", single aspect signals have been installed in Grand Haven. The signals are for the Ferrysburg swing bridge. 2 signals are facing North and 2 are facing South. This situation is strange because the Montague Sub is DTC North of James Street in Holland. WMRP is not quite sure how the signals will be used at the bridge. It is possible that the bridge will be automated, eliminating a crewman on the D727, and taking about 30 minutes off their job. If the bridge were to be automated, either the train would send a signal through the rails to the bridge (kind of like railroad crossing signals) and the bridge would automatically turn, or the dispatcher would turn it automatically. If the dispatcher was going to automatically turn the bridge, then the Montague Sub would need to be equipped for CTC so the dispatcher could see the D727 on his board, thus the signals come into play. Either way, if this is the case, the two signals furthest from the bridge would be advance signals for the two signals closest to the bridge. The Northbound signals are located at Jackson Street and just South of the bridge. The Southbound signals are located at 3rd Street and just North of the bridge.
Update: Dan Gless sent a comment from Doc Dutton who works for the CSX. He says "I have talked with the maintainers at Grand Rapids that are installing the signal system this afternoon and they assure me that there are no plans to remote control the bridge or anything else. The signals are being put in are to update the bridge to STB/FRA standards which require protections for drawbridges. It is simply new wiring and new signals.
South Shore RS-1 returning home...
Larry Easton of the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society reports that the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Division of the SLHTS has purchased ex-DSS&A/SOO Alco RS-1 #101 from the Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. of Naples, Illinois. The diesel locomotive, now lettered CG&B #3 will be moving shortly from its Springfield, Illinois location to Duluth's Lake Superior Railroad Museum. It will join the Society's Copper Range #200 Baldwin diesel at the museum.
Empire Mine to stay closed...
Channel 10 in Marquette broadcast last night that Cleveland Cliffs has stated that the Empire Mine will not reopen in March as it normally does, and no opening date is planned at this time.
RRHX History Section updated...
Its been a slow news week which has allowed me time to post a number of new pages to the RRHX History section of MichiganRailroads.com. To see what's new, click here. My thanks to Ben Higdon, Mark Worrall, Dave Fulkerth and many other people who have contributed to the history side of this Michigan railroading site.
Motor Car Trip planned on the Algoma Central...
Track Motorcars of Ontario has secured formal approval from the CN Railway for an excursion of the entire line of the Algoma Central Railway. Six hundred miles of arguably the best scenery east of the Rockies, including the Montreal trestle and the Agawa Canyon. The route is all welded rail with virtually no crossings. The trip is scheduled over four days, July 22 - 25, 2002, going from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst and return. Expected price is $325 US or $520 Cdn, not including gas, lodging or meals. Limit of 35 cars. NARCOA rules and insurance applicable. Cars are expected to be in peak condition. 5 minute rule for breakdowns. Non-refunable deposit of $150 US or $240 Cdn required by March 15th.
The Montmorency County Tribune reports that the Old Depot Restaurant was demolished this past week, after having been closed since last July when a car crashed into it, killing two people. The driver of that car pleaded guilty but mentally ill in Otsego County Circuit Court last week. The depot was a former Michigan Central Railroad station on their branch from Sallings (south of Gaylord) to Johannesburg.
CN closes in Riverview due to chemical leak...
Shawn O'Day reports that CN's TD-2 dispatcher stopped all local trains about 8:00 last night (1/15) and would not let them pass through Riverview due to a hydrogen leak at the Ato-Fina plant. The NS dispatcher also gave this information to NS and CSX trains. CSX had a MT coal train at Trenton and had granted them the Lincoln Branch blocks but took them back to run a Q131 train due to the coal train's standby status. By about 11:00 p.m., the trains started to roll again and the mess was cleaned up quickly.
Amtrak grants trackage rights to CSS&SB
Amtrak has granted trackage rights to the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend over approximately 3 miles of line in or near Michigan City, IN. The purpose of the trackage rights is to allow CSSB to provide rail freight service to new customers on that line.
CM/CSX Diamond Removed at Hoyt...
The CSX/Central Michigan diamond at Hoyt, about 1/2 mile south of CSX Saginaw Yard has now been removed. The track will be removed from the former Hoyt interlocker to Merideth Jct., near the CM (ex-MCRR) Saginaw River drawbridge. A connection has been installed between the CSX and CM at Hoyt. CM trains will now use the CSX from Mershon to Hoyt, enroute to their Harger branch line.
Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club show link...
The following is a link to the Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club's train show information. http://www.aamrc.org/annualshow.asp .
Ore derailment...
The picture (at left) sent to us by Dave Schauer which we used on our home page was a beauty, but the train derailed hours later just west of Argonne, Michigan (which is 17 miles east of Rhinelander, WI) in the Upper Peninsula! The CN dispatcher reported that a number of ore cars were in the swamp. Hulchers was called out to re-rail the cars and clean up the mess. From the OreRail list.
Former PM/CSX Bridgman depot razed...
The MichiganRailroads listserv reports that the former Pere Marquette depot in Bridgman has been razed.
Amtrak approved for high speed operation in West Michigan...
The Federal Railroad Administration has signed a waiver to allow 90 m.p.h. running between MP 150 and CP-190 on the Amtrak line between Kalamazoo and Porter, Indiana. Amtrak trian 351-07 (January 7th) will be the first train to run at 90 m.p.h. along with train 364-07. These two trains will be the only two revenue moves allowed to operate at that speed for the near term. From the Conrail Technical Society.
NS uses new route from Toledo to Oakwood Yard for first time...
The first NS re-route train from Toledo to Detroit's NS Oakwood Yard using the ex-Conrail Detroit line occurred today (1/8/02). Train #331 used the new connection at Ecorse Jct. off the Junction Yard Branch traveling to the east end of the NS Oakwood Yard, near Fort Street. The wye is unsignaled and the switches unpowered. The train would have normally used the Ann Arbor Railroad (via trackage rights) from Toledo to Milan and then their own line to Oakwood Yard. From Shawn O'Day.
CSX Declares a Level 2 Weather alert in Toledo...
CSXT has issued a winter weather bulletin announcing a Level 2 weather alert in effect between Toledo, Ohio and points south as far as Russell, Kentucky and into West Virginia and New York. CSX uses the following definitions (abbreviated) for Levels 1-3:
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Level 1 - Substantial inclement weather expected or being encountered. Scheduled service will be maintained as practical.
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Level 2 - Adverse weather conditions have affected the region. Local switching and scheduled service will be affected.
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Level 3 - Adverse weather conditions have severely affected the specified region. Only critical trains will be operated. Trains will operate on straight move and limit use of crossover moves to the extent practical. Local switching and scheduled service will definitely be affected.
New Definition of railroad (non)motive power...
One recent participant on the E&LS listserv commented about E&LS engine 212 which has been practically abandoned at Wells, by the depot. "I don't know if we should call this an engine anymore, since it doesn't actually have an engine. Maybe a 'flatcar with a radiator bolted to it' is a better description!"
Dave Schauer from Duluth on the OreRail list reports that Cleveland Cliffs issued a press release today about ore operations in the Michigan-Minnesota area. Among other things, they announced that the Tilden Mine will operate at near the mine's 7.8 million ton capacity this coming year. Empire mine will remain idle pending a production decision by the two remaining owners, Ispat Inland and Cliffs. Cliffs Chairman/CEO John S. Brinzo, said, "As one of the first steps in the Company's plan to consolidate North American iron ore interests, we plan to increase our ownership of the Tilden Mine to 85 percent when Algoma Steel completes its restructuring later this month. With this transaction, we would expect pellet sales to be between 11.5 and 12.0 million tons, including the sale of about 3 million tons to Algoma. Full press release.
Minorca - Escanaba ore trains begin...
From Dave Schauer, Duluth, Minn. via OreRail... A big surprise today on the first Minorca all-rail to load for the season. These trains operate from the Minorca pellet plant near Virginia, MN to CN's ore loading
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First Minorca-Escanaba ore move - 12/6/02 |
port at Escanaba, Michigan.
Today's train had 100 recently reconditioned ex-C&NW ore cars (freshly
painted maroon with SSAM reporting marks). Nice looking train,
although I miss the C&NW mineral red and green pellet cars. I half
expected Missabe power to be used on these trains north of Steelton but
much to my surprise two former Illinois Central SD40-2's ran-through
today (6259 and 6203). The second Minorca set is currently sitting
at Steelton waiting to head north and has two Canadian National SD40-2's
for power. Looks like no WC SD45's this year, unless they filter into
the rotation.
This photo was taken as the loaded Minorca (or Escanaba as they are
called on the Missabe) headed south at Fairlane Junction in a light snow
shower. They departed Steelton at 07:45 this morning and arrived at the
plant just before 11:00 - basically the same call times as the dock
trains that had been operating out of Two Harbors. They finished
loading at 13:15 and called the CN dispatcher to head south at 13:45
(I'm not sure why the half-hour delay).
Extended operation for People Mover during Auto Show...
DETROIT, Jan. 2 /PRNewswire/
-- The Detroit Transportation Corporation announced today the
following schedule for the People Mover during the North American
International Auto Show.
DATE
SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 6
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Monday, January 7
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 8
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 9
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 10
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Friday, January 11
6:00 a.m. - Midnight
Saturday, January 12
8:00 a.m. - Midnight
Sunday, January 13
8:00 a.m. - Midnight
Monday, January 14
7:00 a.m. - Midnight
Tuesday, January 15
7:00 a.m. - Midnight
Wednesday, January 16
7:00 a.m. - Midnight
Thursday, January 17
7:00 a.m. - Midnight
Friday, January 18
7:00 a.m. - Midnight
Saturday, January 19
8:00 a.m. - Midnight
Sunday, January 20
8:00 a.m. - Midnight
Monday, January 21
7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
First all-rail Minorca to Escanaba move...
Dave Schauer, on the Ore-Rail list, reports that the first seasonal all-rail taconite train between the Missabe Range and Escanaba ore docks will begin this Saturday, January 5th. The trains will be 100 cars long.
NS Newsbreak Newsletter...
Click here for a link to the January, 2002 edition.
Escanaba activity update...
The CN (Wisconsin Central) is only running one ore train a day, which operates between Tilden Mine near Negaunee through Gladstone to Sault Ste. Marie. The train is usually powered by an SD-45 and a CP-40. The daily freight train for Ishpeming, L-039 continues to run with an SD-45 for power. It normally has 10-20 cars of woodchips and pulpwood from the Louisiana-Pacific plant at the former K. I. Sawyer airbase, south of Marquette. The Escanaba & Lake Superior has about 5 miles of covered hoppers in storage on the Wells-Channing line. From Pete, via the OreRail@yahoogroups.com list (12/31/01).
Marquette Hill tracks removed...
The CN completed the removal of their old DSS&A tracks up Marquette Hill last week. They have been out of service from Munising Junction for a couple of years.
Snow plow action...
Frank Zajac reports
on the
MichiganRailroads@yahoogroups.com list that he observed a snowplow,
followed by 2 gondolas and being pushed by two Conrail locos leave out
of Botsford Yard in Kalamazoo head south towards Three Rivers.
12/31/01.
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