News Briefs - February, 2003

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CN derailment reported at West Detroit...

Nathan Nietering reports on the shortlilne board that a CN wide cab locomotive jumped the tracks as it approached in a NB direction at West Detroit junction on the Shore Line subdivision and landed on it's side on Federal Street (in Detroit). This was reportedly the only unit that left the tracks.  No other details are available.  Posted 2/28.

CN (former WC lines) switch to new track warrant form...

CN has a new track warrant form, as they have changed to a new Digicon dispatching computer system as of last Saturday.  This system uses the standard CN/IC (USOR - U.S. Operating Rules) andis used on ann CN USA properties.

Central Michigan Railway is joining the ranks...

The Central Michigan Railway is joining the ranks of many of the Class 1s by entering into the realm of the remote control locomotive.  GP38 #8804 has been outfitted with remote control equipment, including the now usual strobe and colored aspect lights on the engineer's side of the cab.  Once the locomotive is fine tuned with its remote equipment it is expected to be in regular use at Durand yard.    From Paul Cameron.

CN readying GTW loco's for remote control...

Ken Lanovich, via the list-serv, reports that the following GTW GP38-2`s are being equipped for remote control operation. GTW 5812-5831 were chosen, with 5826 being the first out. The units will sport duel strobes on a stand mounted off the cab roof on the angled portion.
 

B&O Railroad Museum roundhouse collapses under snow...

Early this morning Monday February 17, 2003 the Iron Structure of the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse at the B&O Railroad Museum collapsed under the weight of the snow. We are thankful that no one was in the museum and we are working with the Baltimore City Fire Department and structural engineers to stabilize the building. The B&O Railroad Museum will be closed until further notice while we work with our team and engineer professionals to assess the damage as well as work to extricate the pieces of the collection contained in the Roundhouse. Upon further evaluation it is our hope to provide information about the museum reopening and upcoming special events.

NS Service Alert...

A slow-moving storm system crossing the Midwest into the Northeast, including Shared Assets territory in northern and southern New Jersey, leaving ice, snow, sleet and cold temperatures, continues to impact Norfolk Southern operations.  The winter storm dumped a foot or more of snow in areas of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Freezing rain and sleet fell on areas south causing significant problems from southeast Missouri to Ohio Valley.  Norfolk Southern is working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible; however customers should expect delays due to line interruption resulting from commercial power outages, local road conditions and frozen switches throughout the affected area.   For information on specific shipments, please contact the National Customer Service Center at 800.635.5768.  Special note to customers with committed service agreements: Force majeure remains in effect, due to conditions noted above.

Ford Model Railroad Club

The FMRC was created by Ford Employees sharing an interest in model railroading.  We have a large modular layout that combines HO scale with O gauge trains.  The goal of the club is to have an excellent operating layout that demonstrates the members' interests in both scales.  We currently have about 40 members and are looking for more people to join our club.  We strongly encourage Ford employees and retirees to join but welcome people from outside of the Ford Motor Company family.  We also encourage members to build modules to display their talents and develop their skills in the art of model railroading.  The club meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Research and Engineering Building on Oakwood Blvd. south of Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. The meetings start promptly at 6:00 pm.  We invite you to come and see what the club is about.  For more information, go to the MichiganRailroads.com model railroad club menu.

Iron Mountain car-train accident...

IRON MOUNTAIN — A car-train accident on West B Street near Carpenter Avenue resulted in no injuries Thursday afternoon, Iron Mountain police reported.  A westbound vehicle driven by Lisa Ann Wiese, 20, of Iron Mountain, was struck at 5:45 p.m. by an Escanaba & Lake Superior train operated by Peter Feak, 57, of Channing, said police. The train struck the vehicle in the driver’s side rear corner.  Wiese was issued a citation for failure to obey an official traffic device—railroad signals.  From the Iron Mountain-Kingford Daily News.

February 12, 2003 Congressional Testimony by Michael Jackson, Deputy Secretary of Transportation before the House Committee on House Budget...

"Let's turn now to the railroads. First Amtrak. Amtrak faces severe and persistent financial challenges.  The Administration has asked Congress to adopt reforms that will strengthen Amtrak's business operations and financial condition. But Amtrak continues to request funds to maintain their current business structure and services. The Federal Government simply cannot afford business as usual at Amtrak.  The President's 2004 budget request includes $900 million for Amtrak of which $229 million is for capital maintenance and $671 million is for operations and for implementing restructuring and management reforms for passenger rail.  This is a funding level with a message: Amtrak must undergo significant reform.  Passenger rail is an important component of our nation's transportation infrastructure.  We stand ready to work with Congress and the states in the upcoming reauthorization to create an intercity passenger rail system that is driven by sound economics, fosters competition, and establishes a long-term partnership between states and the Federal Government to sustain an economically viable system.

"In addition to passenger rail subsidies, the President requests $189 million for the Federal Railroad Administration aimed at enhancing safety, by reducing rail- related accidents and ensuring the safe transport of hazardous materials throughout the rail system.  The movement of hazardous materials is a priority focus for the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA).  RSPA oversees the transportation of hazardous materials, including America's 2.1 million miles of gas and oil pipelines. The President's 2004 budget request provides $132 million - including $67 million specifically targeted towards pipeline safety initiatives."

Ford Motor sells its last three Rouge locomotives...

Ken Borg reports that the Ford Motor Company has sold their last three locomotives that were used at the Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan.  The three, EMD SW1001's, have been sold to Herzog Contracting of St. Joseph, MO.  Included are Ford 10016 to HZGX 171, Ford 10017 to HZGX 172 and Ford 10020 to HZGX 173.  The locomotives will be shipped out on CSXT late this week or next week.  Also, CANAC has been contracted by Ford to switch the Rouge site.  CANAC has sub-contracted GTW to do the actual work with GTW crews and locomotives.  This was done in December 2002.  Posted 2/12/03.
 

NS derailment near Sandusky, Ohio blocks mains...

As a result of a derailment late last night, near Sandusky, Ohio, both Norfolk Southern mainlines at this location are blocked.  Efforts to restore service are hampered by continuing poor weather conditions, including high winds.  Current estimates are that one of the lines will be restored to service this afternoon. 
Some trains normally operating through this area are being diverted to alternate routes.  However, due to the derailment and weather conditions, shipments normally moving through the Cleveland-Toledo-Bellevue area will be impacted and delayed.  For information on specific shipments, please contact the National Customer Service Center at (800) 635-5768.  Further updates will be posted as information is available and conditions change.  Special note to customers with committed service agreements:  Norfolk Southern is invoking force majeure effective 12:01 AM, February 12, 2003 on all traffic moving through this area.  From Norfolk Southern, 2/12/03 at 10:00 a.m.  Cleared at 8:00 a.m., February 14th per NS.

Political cartoon...

West Michigan area railfans to meet again...

Mark Worrall is hosting a get together of railfans for slide and video presentations on February 22nd near Kalamazoo.  The group will meet at 6869 South Sprinkle Road at the corner of Sprinkle and Bishop.  The meeting will be in the Greek Revival house in the complex.  Railfans are encouraged to bring their slides or videos, and projectors will be available for both.  Starting time is 1500 hours (3:00 p.m.).  For further information, email Mark at pmpews1@hotmail.com.   Click here for map directions.  This is the second meeting of the group, the first being well attended last year.

Central Michigan may begin using remote control...

It has been reported on various bulletin boards that Central Michigan (CMGN) has equipped locomotives 8802 and 8804 for remote control operation.  Reports indicate that they will be used at Durand.

South Shore plans new control center...

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board on Friday awarded a not-to-exceed $150,000 contract to DLZ, South Bend.  The contract is for architectural and engineering services for a new control center that will centralize traffic control from a new building to be constructed on recently purchased property east of the Carroll Avenue station in Michigan City.

More CSXT paint scheme 7...

Nathan Nietering reports that a number of locomotives painted in CSXT's new scheme 7 have been popping up at Rougemere recently.  The new scheme 7 is now about a year old, and strongly resembles the scheme used by the C&O in the 1960's on their SD40s.  Recently seen was GP38-2 number 2561. On February 1, GP38-2s 2565 and 2576 were both at Rougemere, along with a number of other CSX GP38-2s and CP Rail SD40-2s.
 

More News Briefs from January...