News Briefs - July, 2002
Press <Ctrl>-Reload to Refresh your screen with the latest posting.
Lake State Railway uses new crossing technology...
Jeremy Schrader, a Signal Maintainer for the Lake State Railway, reports that his railroad is using radio alerting of trains when crossing lights are burned out, experience a power failure, or have bell failures. The at-crossing transmitter alerts the train crew to flag the affected crossing. These are installed at crossings in Sterling and West Branch. LSRC also has "RTU" units in other crossings that use cell phone technology to alert the dispatcher and signal maintainer when signals are falsely activated after a preset number of minutes. These RTU units also monitor battery voltages and AC power, should it fail. Editor Note: Sterling, Michigan (north of Standish) was the location of one of the last "wig-wag" signals in Michigan.
If its crazy, it always seems to happen first in California...
Just
when you thought you'd heard of everything, something new comes along to
surprise you. It seems that for the last 23 years, people have
lined up on July 12th to "moon" the Amtrak train north of San Diego,
California. Could this be a new form of railfaning that will
spread to other parts of the country?
Click here to
see the web site (www.moonamtrak.org).
Strates Circus train loading...
Gary Betz reports on the MichiganRailroads list that the Strates Circus train is loading in Ionia as of 12:50 p.m. today (July 29th). Route and timing to its next stop in New York are not known. Follow up: The train left Ionia late Monday night, and CSX has it scheduled to leave Grand Rapids on Tuesday at approximately 8:45 a.m. as train P934-30.
Saginaw CSX remote control update...
Tom Caauwe reports that remote control operation on the 1st trick has been in use in Saginaw for about two weeks using two different units. CSXT 2626 is being used along with 2532. These units can be used as remote units or as normal units - with or without an engineer. Starting next week, the 2nd trick conductors and brakemen at the Wadsworth end (south) have reported that they will start training for use of remote control units on their shift.
Remote Control now playing at CSX Rougemere...
CSX recently has posted several signs around its Rougemere Yard in Dearborn, MI that read as follows: "Attention - Remote controlled equipment may be in operation. Moving equipment may be unoccupied." Reported by Anthony Ruzcidlo. Tom Caauwe also adds that similar remote control operation signs have been posted in Saginaw, Michigan and remote control operations are anticipated there in August.
Bridge work on the NS...
Billy Baxter, who works for the NS, reports that bridge work is being done at Monroe, Michigan on the NS and CN rails which go across Dixie Highway at Exit 15. NS has a slow order during off hours, and when they are working on the bridge, northbound trains are being sent up the number one (southbound) track.
Additional Info about the Cherry Growers explosion in Traverse City...
John Holt makes an important note about the Cherry Growers explosion near Traverse City. He says that this is not the same Cherry Growers plant that Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway serves southwest of Traverse City (Grawn). TSBY serves the much larger plant there, and has been steadily shipping loads of apple products (canned juice, sauce) along with cherry products.
In other TSBY Traverse City news, TSBY has done a great job of druming up business at Integrety Iron & Metals who last summer added about 250 feet to their siding and now you can find anywhere between 5 and 14 gondolas and (former) coal hoppers (for the shredded metals). They ship out between 10-20 cars a week now. Also Schultz, Schnieder & Steele Lumber Distributors are receiving several box cars and center beam flats per week. Traverse City Light & Power just took delivery last week of a very large transformer on a 8 axle depressed center flat car. TSBY serves Traverse City 3-5 days per week. (Last few weeks have been 5 days per week.
Lake State Bridge being replaced this weekend...
Jeremy Schrader of East Tawas reports on the MichiganRailroad list that the Lake State Railway Thunder Bay River bridge is being replaced this weekend (7/14). The old bridge is being removed and the new one is being put in place with 115 pound rail. They expect trains to be able to run over the new bridge on Monday night.
Strates Carnival Train plans...
Gary Betz of Ionia reports on the MichiganRailroads list that the Strates Carnival train will be in Ionia through June 28th. The next stop for the train is the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York. It is unknown what the rail move will be between Ionia and New York. The passenger cars are now parked in Ionia, east of M-66 alongside Railroad Street. From M-66, go east on Adams street (between the Burger King and a Chinese restaurant) to Hudson Street, just east of Gilroys Hardware. You'll see them from there. (Gary also notes that the bulk of flatcars were taken back to Lowell for storage).
Conrail Shared Assets changes possible - FN may close in September...
Josh, via the RRMichigan Group, reports a discussion he had with a Conrail signal maintainer yesterday, July 10th. He was told that FN tower is now planned to get new signals and track configurations with an anticipated tower closure of September, 2002. He also stated that the controls for FN, CP-MILL and CP-YD will be given to the operator at Conrail's Rouge Bridge, instead of the Conrail or NS dispatcher. (Note that the Bridge controlled YD and MILL until the early 1990's.
Progress on Lake States Thunder Bay River Bridge replacement...
Roger Oliver reports that the replacement bridge for the Lake State Railway over the Thunder Bay River in Alpena is coming along. The concrete cylindrical footings for the new bridge are all in place, as are I-beams sunk onto the ground on each side of the tracks just before the existing bridge starts (at each end). There are two heavy lift cranes on shore just West of the bridge -- one was on a barge platform, one was not but there was a barge there for it. The various bridge sections look to be being assembled at this shore location.
New CSX paint in Michigan...
The new CSX paint scheme is making its way to Michigan. Anthony Rucidllo reports that cSX 8661 was spotted in Rougemere Yard sporting the new color scheme.
NS Geometry train instate...
NS 905 Geometry Train arrived in Jackson just before noon today (Monday, July 8) with Slug 34 and Passenger Car 33. Engine is a Conrail SD 50. It requested permission to work tracks one and two between CP Hill and CP East Jackson. It changed crews here so I would guess it will eventually be heading west. Info from Bob Freypan.
Railroad Trestle bridge burns in UP...
The Iron Mountain-Kingsford Daily News reports that fireworks may have caused a fire on a railroad bridge off Pine Mountain Road, according to Breitung Township Fire Chief Jeff Iverson. The department was called to the fire at 6:30 a.m. Saturday (7/6/02). The railroad bridge, a snowmobile train connecting Michigan and Wisconsin, is located on the Menominee River near River's Ben Campground. Firefighters arriving at the scene found flames about half-way across on the bridge. Bridge decking engulfed in fire was torn from the structure by fire personnel. Young people were scene lighting fireworks on the bridge Friday night, said Iverson. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The bridge has been barricaded, officials said.
Iron industry museum plans big expansion
NEGAUNEE - Michigan Iron Industry Museum officials this morning
announced a major renovation and expansion at the state-owned facility
and launched a capital campaign to finance it. The $1.8 million
project will modify existing museum space, add about 4,000 square feet
to the facility and make the museum a year- round facility, museum
Manager Thomas Friggens said today. The museum, which opened in
1987 at 73 Forge Road in Negaunee Township, overlooks the site of the
Carp River Forge, regarded as the birthplace of Michigan's iron
industry. Renovation and expansion plans call for a new room for
changing exhibits, as well as a new education area that will serve as
after-hours space for community groups to meet and hold special events,
Friggens said.
"When we first opened, we were regarded more as a (seasonal) tourist
attraction," Friggens said. "But over the years, we have become a
year-round community resource. And this is an opportunity to grow with
that." The planned renovation and building addition will allow the
museum to expand its educational services including the development of a
Discovery Center in the facility's current theater. In the center,
children will have an opportunity to learn from hands-on experiences. A
video teleconferencing capability will enable the information to be
shared with other children around the state and nation. The
project also will conserve and repair the rare mine locomotive Yankee,
restoring it to its 19th century appearance and protecting it indoors
for the first time since its manufacture.
Built by Alexander Chaplin and Co. in Glasgow, Scotland between 1862 and
1868, the Yankee is one of the oldest surviving steam locomotives in the
U.S. and one of two industrial-geared vertical boiler locomotives known
to exist in this country. It is thought to be one of just three
surviving Chaplin locomotives in the world. On fund-raising, a
substantial portion of the $1.8 million project cost has already been
raised, Friggens said.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has announced that major lead gifts totaling
$200,000 have been pledged by the Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, the
Elizabeth Ring Mather and the William Gwinn Mather Fund. The state
of Michigan, meanwhile, has appropriated $500,000 for the project.