CSX Train Location Updates - September 2023

[Tom49801]

Light power south at Riley St. Holland 5:00 AM.

That was R598-21 with CSX engines #759 + #3243 headed to Wells Siding mp CG41.4 to move out C801-21 loaded coal train that had tied down there yesterday.

[Tom49801]

M327-22 into Zeeland Michigan @ 07:12

Note: this mornings train is moving through Zeeland at a snails pace much slower than normal.

M327-22 @ 07:14 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 456 axles. CSX engine #988 & 111 & rear dpu CSX engine #3181.

[donnieland]

327 - 723A - ALL STOP 112TH AVE ( EAST WAVERLY )
758a - loads calling app slow holland
327 - 759a - app slow east waverly
800a - loads - slow clear west wye waverly
327 - 807a - adv app waverly
327 - 809a - clear east wye waverly
327 - 813a - clear holland

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P371-22 @ 07:33:48 westward N. Center St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.35 IDTX engine #4610 & 3 cars (2 Venture Coaches + Horizon Cafe) with 0 passengers On/Off at the station mp CG60.52

[Tom49801]

327 - 723A - ALL STOP 112TH AVE ( EAST WAVERLY )
758a - loads calling app slow holland
327 - 759a - app slow east waverly
800a - loads - slow clear west wye waverly

R598-21 @ 07:57 eastward arrived Holland, Mi Depot mp CG25.3 with BNSF engine #6298 & CSX engines #3243 + #759 & 129 loaded coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #6080. This was C801-21 that had tied down in Wells mp CG41.4 yesterday.

M327-22 @ 08:12 westward arrived Holland, Mi Depot mp CG25.3 with CSX engine #988 & 111 & rear dpu CSX engine #3181.

[Tlout]

R598-21 coal drag north at Riley St. Holland 8:15 AM,

[DutchBrad]

So can someone explain what happened with M327 and R598? Why would the dispatcher hold M327 on the main line tying up traffic when there was a siding right there at 112th Ave? I heard some radio chatter between R598 and M327, the coal train mentioned how M327 did not want to go to Chicago anyway. With M327 stopped, I figured it had mechanical trouble, I thought I heard radio traffic that M327 was in notch 8. I wondered if the DPU had an issue. Just a strange way to run the railroad in my opinion.

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P371-22 @ 08:35 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi. with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4610 & 3 cars (Horizon Cafe + 2 Venture Coaches).

Y121-22 @ 08:45 backing westward into Holland’s Dock Track mp CG25.0 with: OLS Caboose & 6 empty cars (a mix of Gons + Hoppers) & CSX engine #2724.

[Tom49801]

So can someone explain what happened with M327 and R598? Why would the dispatcher hold M327 on the main line tying up traffic when there was a siding right there at 112th Ave? I heard some radio chatter between R598 and M327, the coal train mentioned how M327 did not want to go to Chicago anyway. With M327 stopped, I figured it had mechanical trouble, I thought I heard radio traffic that M327 was in notch 8. I wondered if the DPU had an issue. Just a strange way to run the railroad in my opinion.

This same scenario happened yesterday, too. The only reason I can think of for holding M327 for an "R train" is the R Crew was getting short for on duty time. There is still a loaded coal train tied down in Grand Jct siding mp CG54 & the power plant will now have 8 BNSF engines there with the arrival of today's R598-21.

Another thought, too, there are 4 consecutive sidings tied up (before R598-21 moved the loaded coal train out of Wells): Saugatuck has a Tamper & Ballast Regulator for the new switch/siding work in Holland), Wells had the loaded coal train since yesterday that R598 moved this morning, Grand Jct has a loaded coal train since yesterday, and Gross Siding has 28 MoW cars for the upcoming tie replacement job between Gross and Benton Harbor.

M327-22 @ 08:51 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 456 axles. CSX engine #988 & 111 cars & rear dpu CSX engine #3181.

Amtrak P371-22 @ 08:52 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG108.9 Lakeside, Mi. with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4610 & 3 cars (Horizon Cafe + 2 Venture Coaches).

M327-22 @ 09:17 westward Bangor, Mi N. Center St crossing mp CG60.35 live cam.

Amtrak P371-22 @ 09:18 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG131.3Doran, IN. with 16 axles.

[David Collins]

…the power plant will now have 8 BNSF engines there with the arrival of today's R598-21.

With that being said, does that mean there’s gonna be at least one land barge originating out of West Olive sometime in the next few days?

[Tom49801]

Y121-22 @ 09:37 eastward Holland’s Dock Track diverging onto the Main Track at mp CG25.0 with CSX engine #2724 & what looked to be 7 Gons loaded with scrap & OLS caboose.

[Tom49801]

…the power plant will now have 8 BNSF engines there with the arrival of today's R598-21.

With that being said, does that mean there’s gonna be at least one land barge originating out of West Olive sometime in the next few days?

It's possible & has been done a few times before with 260 empty coal cars seen with 2 BNSF engines & with 4 BNSF engines. Train ends up being just over 14,000 feet long & there are no sidings on the Grand Rapids sub-div that can handle a train that long & I have heard before NS doesn't like handling a CSX train from the Grand Rapids sub being that long.

M326-22 @ 10:13 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 332 axles. CSX engine #5256 + 1 & 80 cars.

L301-22 @ 10:13 Grand Rapids, Mi job briefing with the RN Dispatcher: CSX engines #6248 + #4070 & 23 cars (13 loads + 10 empties) @ 2,099 tons & 1,373 feet long. He has work for Buzzi Cement mp CG5.2 & then go west into Waverly mp CG22.8 Later he’ll head west for work at Hartford mp CG68.7 & Coloma mp CG76.7 & Sawyer mp CG105.2

[Tom49801]

M327-22 @ 10:53 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 456 axles. CSX engine #988 & 111 cars & rear dpu CSX engine #3181.

[Tlout]

Y121 south at Riley St. Holland after swapping cars at Stow 11:50 AM.

[Tom49801]

M326-22 @ 11:22:55 eastward Bangor, Mi Division St crossing mp CG60.93 cam with CSX engines #5256 + #6518 & 79 cars & rear dpu CSX engine #3216.

[SD80MAC]

So can someone explain what happened with M327 and R598? Why would the dispatcher hold M327 on the main line tying up traffic when there was a siding right there at 112th Ave? I heard some radio chatter between R598 and M327, the coal train mentioned how M327 did not want to go to Chicago anyway. With M327 stopped, I figured it had mechanical trouble, I thought I heard radio traffic that M327 was in notch 8. I wondered if the DPU had an issue. Just a strange way to run the railroad in my opinion.

Because 327 was way too big to fit in the siding between 112th and Waverly, which is only around 4500 ft. The old Waverly Pass between the Waverly and Holland control points is now designated as a yard track, and dispatchers are not allowed to use to make meets because they have no way of verifying if it’s clear or not.

[Tom49801]

L301-22 @ 11:48 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 98 axles. CSX engines #6248 + #4070 & 22 cars. He’s headed west into Waverly mp CG22.8 Later he’ll head west for work at Hartford mp CG68.7 & Coloma mp CG76.7 & Sawyer mp CG105.2

[Tlout]

Michigan Shore south at Riley St. Holland 11:56 AM.

[Tom49801]

M326-22 @ 11:56 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 332 axles. CSX engines #5256 + #6518 & 79 cars & rear dpu CSX engine #3216.

L303-22 @ 11:54 Grand Rapids, Mi job briefing with the RN Dispatcher: CSX engines #3108 + #3135 & 60 cars (24 loads + 36 empties) @ 4,406 tons. He’s ready to depart.

M326-22 @ 12:06 made an emergency radio transmission from the 128th Ave crossing mp CG38.1 Radio call was broken up - waiting to hear more reports. Dispatcher was heard saying "we'll get someone out there". Vehicle or a person had bounced off of the engine per the crew & apparently fled the scene.

L303-22 @ 12:15 eastward reported from Seymour mp CH148.1

[SD80MAC]

L303 east by CH 146 in Kentwood at 12:19.