Railroad News Brief: September, 2003

Plans are in the works to dress up two 90-year old railroad bridges in the City of Jackson. The bridges on North Mechanic and North Jackson Streets have been in need of repainting for many years. The cost of repainting is substantial, due to the need to remove lead based paint. Instead, the railroad has partnered with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce to encase the bridges in a canvas skin, with lighting behind it. The overpass at Mechanic Street will look like a theater marquee, and the Jackson Street bridge will look like a flag unfurling. The cost of the project is $130,000 and is funded primarily by a fund raiser conducted by the Chamber. The railroad has kicked in $2,000 towards the project. From the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Circus Train News...

The Ringling Brothers circus train is reported to be departing Grand Rapids on 9/29 on the CSXT. The crew is reportedly called for 0200 and train number is P982-29. They are scheduled to change crews at Plymouth at 0800 and are going to Delray in Detroit to be turned over to the GTW for the run up to Pontiac and Aurburn Hills, Mich. The train will be in Auburn Hills for a week, departing next Monday for Boston. Will probably go GTW to Toledo.

NS Service Alert...

Hurricane Isabel, a major hurricane, continues to track in the general direction of the U. S. and is currently located about 500 miles east of Nassau, Bahamas. It remains likely that Isabel will come ashore sometime Thursday along the Mid-Atlantic coast. The exact location cannot be determined at this time and could range from North Carolina to Long Island. In preparation of anticipated activity of Hurricane Isabel, Norfolk Southern has initiated contingency plans in order to prevent injuries and property damage, to aid in cleaning up in the storm's aftermath and resuming operations as quickly as possible. For questions regarding specific shipments, please contact our National Customer Service Center (800-635-5768). Updates will be posted as weather conditions change. From NS.

International back on schedule...

After a summer hiatus for track work the International is now back on its old schedule going all the way from Chicago to Toronto. There have been rumors of a schedule change so that the westbound would leave Port Huron in the morning and return in the evening, much as GT's Bluewater, but MDOT has advised that there are a lot of details to be worked out before this can happen. From Dave Williamson.

Former Milwaukee Depot in Marinette to be moved...

Andre in Menominee reports that movers have started to prepare the former E&LS (MILW) depot in Marinette, WI for relocation. It is supposed to be moved back on the same lot to make room for a Walgreen's drugstore.

Former DT&I Tecumseh branch cut back further...

The former Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Tecumseh branch, once the main line for the railroad in the early 20th century, will be cut back further according to abandonment proceedings filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The line between 45.5 and 46.3, essentially what remains of the line north of the Adrian & Blissfield will be removed. It has not been used in years and is wildly overgrown. The only remaining portion of the DT&I Tecumseh branch is the portion between the A&B and the NS line on the south side of town. Info from Dennis Parejko.

LS&I absorbed by Cleveland Cliffs...

Ishpeming, MI--The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company has announced that Cliffs Michigan Mining Company will integrate the operation of the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad into CMMC. The transition from the operations of LS&I functioning as a separate company to a department within the CMMC will begin effective September 22, 2003. The CMMC transportation department will continue to operate as LS&I has previously. Currently LS&I employs 156 people and 14 in its LASCO Development Corporation computer services business. LASCO operations are not included in the transaction. The LS&I Railroad has been in operations sin 1896 providing transportation of iron ore from Marquette County's mines to the shipping port in Marquette. It owns and maintains 49 miles of mainline track and operates 16 diesel-electric locomotives and 1,150 ore cars. The LS&I Railroad has always been primarily owned by Cleveland-Cliffs but operated as a separate, stand-alone company. In 2001, action was taken to buy out the remaining minority shareholders making LS&I a wholly owned subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs.

CSX Derailment in Bay City...

Patrick Caauwe reports that a CSX empty coal train derailed in bay city today (9/10). Four cars went on the ground with all staying upright. R.J. Corman was called in the clean up the mess. Three of the four cars lost their trucks and wheel sets. The derailment happened near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and 24th street. R.J. corman arrived at 8:30 a.m. to start their work. The cost of repairing the cars which are owned by Consumers Energy, will be $36,000 a CSX employee estimated.

LS&I #21 Sold...

The OreRail list reports that the LS & I 2-8-0 Consolidation, #21, the last steamer on the property, was recently sold to a private individual in Wisconsin for restoration. The engine is still in the yard in Marquette as far as I know but will be moved at some point.

CN continues to lay welded rail...

Work continues on welded rail, this time from West Tappen siding switch to Tappen (Port Huron Tunnel Yard). One section of rail was laid down yesterday (9/2). More work will continue this week on the # 1 and 2 main into Tunnel Yard. From Dan Meinhard.

More News Briefs from August...