News Briefs - May, 2002
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As of the morning of Thursday, May 30th, there were three LPG tank cards still on site. The two of the ends have been emptied and/or burned off, but the one in the middle was positioned so the dome at the top was against the side of another car. Plans are to gradually move the adjoining car away so crews could check the condition of the dome and close the valves if possible. Residents remain evacuated until at least Friday. The weather the past two days has hampered efforts due to concerns about lightening strikes.
CN trains continue to be rerouted via the CSX (Detroit-Lansing-Grand Rapids-Chicago) and possibly other routes via Toledo and the NS Michigan line. Information contributed by Steven Williams, Shawn O'Day, Dan Risdon, and Wayne Kuhl via MichiganRailroads listserv.
CN Derailment near Potterville (west of Lansing)...
At approximately 12:30 p.m. today (May 27), CNIC train 395 with CN 5654 leading, derailed near Vermontville Highway in Potterville. Potterville is west of Lansing on CN's Port Huron to Chicago main line. According to reports, the engines remained on the track as well as the first few cars, but the remainder of the train derailed from the #2 main spilling cars onto the other main as well. Early reports from the crew indicated that they hit a heat kink about 8 inches long and had no time for a brake application. The 6:00 p.m. news said that only 10 cars actually derailed, but one had sprung a leak causing the entire town of Potterville to be evacuated. The leaking car apparently contains propane. Consumers Energy has cut power around the area where the train derailed and much of Pottersville is without electricity. One late report from around 10:20 p.m. says that there are actually about 40 cars on the ground and about one mile of track is torn up. Yard job 101 retrieved the back of the train and towed it to Lansing Yard. Estimated cleanup is 24 hours, with plans to detour some trains via the CNIC Mt. Clemens sub and the Norfolk Southern Michigan line (Port Huron to Battle Creek, via Detroit). Bill Davis, Dennis Parejko, Wayne Kuhl and Steven Williams contributed to this report.
Tuesday, 5/28 Update: 35 cars derailed, including 11 tank cars (liquid propane, sulfuric acid). At least one LPG tank is leaking. Five of the cars will need to be transloaded at the scene. Reroutes: CN 398 with 7 CN engines and 100+ cars stopped on the NS Michigan Line at Jackson yard about 23:15 to allow Amtrak 354 to pass. A second CN train was reported to have used the NS Michigan Line in the early morning hours. CN's Z980-28 used the CSX main line around noon from Detroit via Lansing to Chicago, as did a second train (271). Speculation that EB detours may be going via NS and westbound via CSX. At 2:45 pm a short CN intermodal train with 10 engines was observed EB on the Mt. Clemens subdivision, an unusual site. It is now estimated that the line will not be reopened until at least 18:00 hours, Wednesday, 5/29. Some trains are being staged while those with priority shipments are being detoured. Some detoured trains are being consolidated. At least 19 trains are affected. John Krattinger, CRTS; Dan Meinhard, Ken Borg, Bill Davis, Jon Quinley contributed to this update.
CSXT Operation Lifesaver schedule in Michigan...
CSXT OHIO/MICHIGAN OPERATION LIFESAVER TRIP: During June CSXT will be operating an extensive Operation Lifesaver trip through Ohio and Michigan. The train will feature one CSXT freight locomotive and CSXT passenger car 994350, "Illinois." The schedule for Toledo and Michigan is:
Tuesday
June 4th, Depart Willard 9:00 a.m.
By Fostoria 10:15 a.m.
Arrive Walbridge 11:55 a.m.
P95710 - Monday June 10th
Depart Walbridge 9:30 a.m.
Arrive Erie 10:10 a.m. (board passengers)
Depart Erie 10:15 a.m.
Arrive Carlton 11:15 a.m.
Depart Carlton 1:00 p.m.
Arrive Plymouth, Michigan 2:30 p.m.
P95811 - Tuesday June 11th
Depart Plymouth 3:00 p.m.
Arrive Saginaw 6:00 p.m.
P95912 - Wednesday June 12th
Depart Saginaw 9:30 a.m.
Arrive Clio 10:10 a.m. (board passengers)
Depart Clio 10:15 a.m.
Arrive Grand Blanc 11:00 a.m.
Depart Grand Blanc 12:30 p.m.
Arrive Saginaw 2:00 p.m.
P96013 - Thursday June 13th
Depart Saginaw 10:00 a.m.
Arrive Midland 11:00 a.m.
Depart Midland 12:30 p.m.
Arrive Saginaw 1:30 p.m.
Depart Saginaw 3:00 p.m.
Arrive Toledo - Homestead Yard 7:00 p.m.
(Conrail Technical Society E-mail Update - posted 5/18)
NS Memorial Day Operations...
Norfolk Southern will continue operations over the Memorial Day holiday, Monday, May 27, 2002. Due to train consolidations or reduction of local and yard operations, in line with lighter than normal traffic volumes expected due to the holiday, customers may experience some delays. If you have any questions regarding service at your local facility, please contact Customer Service-Central Yard Operations at (800) 898-4296, or your Norfolk Southern Account Manager.
Norfolk Southern renumbering LMS units...
Norfolk Southern is currently in the process of renumbering the remaining LMSX C40-8W's that it acquired following the split of Conrail. LMS was a partnership between Conrail and General Electric that saw 60 C40-8W locomotives come to Conrail. LMS 700-739 had split duty on Conrail and Canadian National or Union Pacific, while the second group LMS 740-759 were eventually renumbered directly into the Conrail roster. Norfolk Southern is currently renumbering their group of former LMS units into their C40-8W series that had been 8314-8451. Ironically, Norfolk Southern series 8440-8451 is comprised of 12 former LMS units from the LMS 740-759 series that were previously renumbered into the Conrail roster. The newly renumbered Norfolk Southern C40-8W locomotives will begin with road number 8452. From the Conrail Technical Society.
Durand Railroad Days Schedule...
Durand Railroad Days is coming May 17-19th. For a schedule of events, click on their website.
GTW crews refurbishing Flint and Mt. Clemens Subdivisions...
Dan Meinhard reports that GTW track crews have been hard at work doing ballast and tie replacement on the Flint and Mt. Clemens subdivisions near Port Huron. They are parking their equipment at the Smith's Creek spur over night.
Louisiana Pacific Plant at Sawyer for Sale...
Today's Marquette Mining Journal says that the L-P paper plant at the former K. I. Sawyer air base near Marquette is up for sale. The CN (former Wisconsin Central) generates a great deal of traffic from this plant for locals LO-39 and LO-40. From Tom Carello via OreRail.
The Ford Motor Company has sold three of its EMD SW1001 switchers, that have been located in the North Yard of the Rouge Center. The units are now lettered HZGX 168 (nee ford 10021); HZGX 169 (nee Ford 10022) and HZGX 170 (nee Ford 10014). The purchaser of the engines has not been identified. Two Ohio cranes are for sale as well. With the sale of the locomotives, this will leave the railroad with only three locomotives to perform switching duties at the Rouge complex (10016, 10017, and 10020). The future of Ford's industrial railroad is uncertain. Ford has looked into outsourcing the railroad. However, nothing will happen until next year when the contract with the UAW is up for renewal. From Anthony Rzucidlo and Ken Borg.
UP Units continue to pass through...
Anthony Rzucidlo reports that four brand new SD70M UP locomotives passed through the Detroit area on May 5th. Units 4779, 4780, 4781 and 4782 were observed on a westbound CP train. Anthony also says that CSX is using a switcher, 1139 to work Rougemere Yard. The yard is normally handled by GP units.
Ken Utter passes away...
Ken Utter, a long time railfan and contributor to many railroad organizations and periodicals passed away May 1st at age 89. Our prayers to out to his family.