NS Michigan Line (April 9)

[GP30M4216]

Amtrak 365 was at the Kalamazoo station at 9:51AM, 10 minutes late. Hope they make up some time and Arrive at Chitown on schedule.

Amtrak 351 arrived into Kalamazoo at 10:45AM about 22 minutes late. They were delayed about 5 minutes because of restricting signals operating westbound on track 2 through Kalamazoo, because NS 39J was holding on track 1. The train has the same consist as yesterday's 351:

Genesis 128
5 cars (including an Amcafe, and Wheel of Fortune coach in the center position)
Genesis 29

39J had completed their Kalamazoo pickup around 10AM and by 10:40 had pulled down the #1 track to the Harris Crossover. With 351 clear of the BO Tower interlocking, 39J reversed the crossover and got their Form D's from the Dearborn and Kankakee (I thought this desk was abolished??) Dispatchers. They began their pull westward to crossover and head for Elkhart at 10:54AM:

NS 9643 D9-40CW
NS 5268 GP38-2
NS 8942 D9-40CW
NS 3043 GP40-2
53 car Kalamazoo pickup,
111 cars total:

Kzoo cars:
B-0-K
1 BAR 50' boxcar
2 KCS 50' boxcars
1 MMA 50' boxcar
2 tankcars from Pfizer

B-57
7 AEX covered hoppers
3 BNSF covered hoppers
7 ADM tankcars
1 FURX covered hoppers

B-56
1 brand new Tate & Lyle tankcar

B-17
25 GATX empty gravel hoppers from Vistula
5 50' boxcars
4 50' hi-cube boxcars

Rest of the train:
5 loaded scrap gons
2 covered hoppers
4 ethanol UTLX tankcars
4 50' boxcars
2 covered hoppers
5 coils
3 covered hoppers
2 NS scrap gons
19 coils
5 scrap gons
8 50' boxcars
1 50' hi-cube boxcar

39J cleared BO Tower at 11:08AM

B-57 must have died somewhere behind 39J on the #1 track this morning from Battle Creek. The B-0-K crew was aboard B-57 "dogcatching" them to bring into Botsford Yard. After 39J was clear of BO, they pulled down the #1 track westbound, used the Harris Crossovers to get to #2 track, then reversed back into Botsford Yard #5 track to begin the Elkhart pickup for tomorrow. They were at BO at 11:15AM:

CR 3070 GP40-2
1 ADM tankcar
6 covered hoppers


Based on the conversation I heard over the scanner, it sounds like NS is running the Executive Train up this way later today from Elklhart, with big-whigs aboard. I don't know when they'll be getting here, though.

Also, today's Amtrak 353 will have the two service cars: #10001 and #10002 on it, probably on the rear. I hope the Weather Channel's "partly cloudy" this afternoon becomes the case!