The Ohio Northern Railway's mainline between Chicago and Kansas City is the company's only route west of St. Louis and competes with BNSF's Transcon in the category of priority traffic.
OHNR took over operation of the line when the Bowling Green Southern system was absorbed into Ohio Northern in March 2001. Prior to that, the two had shared a trackage agreement between Quincy, IL (the OHNR's westernmost point at the time) and Kansas City. The early 1990's also found run-through trains from Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and CSXT running between Chicago and Kansas City, but this all changed in 1996 after the Santa Fe and Burlington Northern had merged and Southern Pacific was absorbed into Union Pacific. The only true run-through trains that can be found between Chicago and Kansas City today are symbols 10W, 11W, 14A and 15A, which are all run-through trains from the Kansas City Southern.
The Kansas City Mainline is composed of the Waverly District between Kansas City and Quincy, and the Peoria District between Quincy and Chicago. The line is nearly a straight shot across Missouri, compared to the curvier/hillier path of the Transcon. In Quincy, the original OHNR mainline across Illinois and Indiana splits away from the Kansas City main and runs east to Indianapolis, while the old BGS line to St. Louis splits off just west of the Mississippi River Bridge.
The Kansas City main is entirely double-track, and the BGS-installed searchlights (1980) are still in use across the line with few replacements to speak of. Traffic on the line is around 50 trains a day between Kansas City and Quincy, and around 35 between Quincy and Chicago. Quincy is a crew change point, and here is a list of scheduled train symbols that pass through town.
Note:
1** = Manifest
2** = Priority Intermodal
3** = Manifest
4** = Grain/Coal (Not listed)
5** = Automotive/Manifest
6** = Grain/Coal (Not listed)
10W - KCS Kansas City-Chicago
11W - KCS Chicago-Kansas City
12E - Kansas City-Indianapolis
13E - Indianapolis-Kansas City
14A - KCS Kansas City-Chicago
14G - Kansas City-Richmond
15A - KCS Chicago-Kansas City
15G - Richmond-Kansas City
18T - Kansas City-Chicago
19T - Chicago-Kansas City
20N - Kansas City-Atlanta
20Z - Kansas City-Chicago
21E - Cleveland-Kansas City
21Z - Chicago-Kansas City
22Z - Kansas City-Baltimore
23Z - Baltimore-Kansas City
24Q - Kansas City-Trenton
24Z - Kansas City-Boston
25N - Atlanta-Kansas City
25Z - Boston-Kansas City
26M - Kansas City-Chicago
26Q - Kansas City-Atlanta
26Z - Kansas City-Trenton
30T - Kansas City-Binghamton
31T - Binghamton-Kansas City
38T - Kansas City-Buffalo
39T - Buffalo-Kansas City
112 - Kansas City-Cincinnati
117 - Cincinnati-Kansas City
120 - Kansas City-Atlanta
122 - Kansas City-Boston
125 - Atlanta-Kansas City
129 - Boston-Kansas City
142 - Quincy-Detroit
143 - Detroit-Quincy
152 - Kansas City-Detroit
153 - Detroit-Kansas City
166 - Kansas City-Milwaukee
169 - Milwaukee-Kansas City
176 - Kansas City-Atlanta
181 - Atlanta-Kansas City
194 - Kansas City-Toledo
195 - Toledo-Kansas City
200 - Kansas City-Cleveland
201 - Atlanta-Kansas City
202 - Kansas City-Atlanta
209 - Trenton-Kansas City
213 - Chicago-Kansas City
216 - Kansas City-Baltimore
221 - Baltimore-Kansas City
229 - Richmond-Kansas City
233 - Trenton-Kansas City
508 - Kansas City-Detroit
509 - Detroit-Kansas City
513 - Cleveland-Kansas City
520 - Kansas City-Cleveland
More details will be provided later.
OHNR Kansas City Mainline
OHNR Kansas City Mainline
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Re: OHNR Kansas City Mainline
Here's a track chart from Kansas City to Quincy. When calling signals, the OHNR crews still use the BGS system of most intermediates being mileposts, while control points have names but no "CP" like most control points across the original OHNR system. The territory shown is dispatched by the WV Dispatcher based in Chicago.
Most intermediate signals are placed at mileposts, or halfway between them. Due to the configuration of mileposts on the Waverly District, all mileposts west of Waverly are referred to with "KC" and all east of Waverly with "QN." Ex: "OHNR 38T, engine 8575, clear KC 52.5 east, out."
The only notable grade on the Waverly District is Arlen Hill, which ranges from a 0.5% to 1.7&% grade for around 15 miles on the west slope, and 0.9% to 2.1% for nearly 25 miles on the east slope. Helpers are often required for heavy westbounds on the east slope.
Note- Many towns are fictional.
--END KANSAS CITY TERMINAL, BEGIN WAVERLY DISTRICT--
MP 70.4 - Avondale (Crossovers)
MP 69.5 - Searcy Creek
MP 68.0 - Claycomo (Crossovers for the west end of Glenaire Yard)
MP 66.5 - Glenaire
MP 64.3 - Cardinal (Crossovers for the east end of Glenaire Yard)
MP 62.1 - Alton (Beginning of Arlen Hill for eastbounds)
MP 60.0 - Intermediate
MP 57.0 - Attica (Crossovers)
MP 55.0 - Intermediate
MP 52.5 - Intermediate
MP 49.0 - Intermediate
MP 47.5 - Arlen (Crossovers, summit of Arlen Hill)
MP 45.0 - Intermediate
MP 42.0 - Intermediate
MP 39.5 - Intermediate
MP 37.0 - Glenville (Crossovers)
MP 35.0 - Intermediate
MP 32.5 - Intermediate
MP 30.0 - Holbrook (Crossovers)
MP 27.5 - Intermediate
MP 25.0 - Intermediate
MP 22.5 - Roanoke (Crossovers, beginning of Arlen Hill for westbounds, diamond/connection to the WI&I, helper pocket)
MP 19.5 - WY Cabin (Crossover from 1 to 2 only)
MP 17.5 - Intermediate
MP 15.0 - Intermediate
MP 13.0 - Leighton (Crossovers)
MP 10.5 - Intermediate
MP 8.0 - Intermediate
MP 5.5 - Intermediate
MP 3.0 - Corbin (Crossovers)
MP 2.0 - West Waverly (Crossovers, beginning of third main for eastbounds, west end of Willow Yard)
MP 0.0 - Yard Center (No signals)
MP 1.5 - East Waverly (Crossovers, end of third main for eastbounds, east end of Willow Yard)
MP 3.5 - Intermediate
MP 5.5 - Intermediate
MP 8.0 - Intermediate
MP 10.0 - Golden (Crossovers)
MP 13.0 - Intermediate
MP 15.0 - Intermediate
MP 17.5 - Kenting (Crossovers)
MP 20.0 - Intermediate
MP 23.0 - Intermediate
MP 25.5 - Intermediate
MP 27.5 - Intermediate
MP 30.0 - Kingsbank (Crossovers)
MP 33.0 - Intermediate
MP 36.0 - Intermediate
MP 39.0 - Intermediate
MP 41.0 - Grove Fort (Crossovers)
MP 43.5 - Intermediate
MP 46.0 - Intermediate
MP 49.0 - Intermediate
MP 51.0 - West Willowfield (Crossovers, west end of the controlled siding)
MP 53.0 - East Willowfield (Crossovers, east end of the controlled siding)
MP 56.0 - Intermediate
MP 58.5 - Intermediate
MP 61.0 - Beaverdam (Crossovers)
MP 63.0 - Intermediate
MP 65.5 - Intermediate
MP 69.0 - Englewood (Crossovers)
MP 71.5 - Intermediate
MP 74.0 - Intermediate
MP 77.0 - Intermediate
MP 79.5 - Lancaster (Crossovers)
MP 81.0 - Intermediate
MP 83.0 - Intermediate
MP 85.5 - Intermediate
MP 88.0 - BT Cabin (Crossovers)
MP 90.0 - Intermediate
MP 92.5 - Intermediate
MP 95.0 - Intermediate
MP 97.0 - Hilland (Crossovers)
MP 100.0 - Intermediate
MP 102.5 - Intermediate
MP 105.0 - Intermediate
MP 107.5 - Clarksville (Crossovers)
MP 110.5 - Intermediate
MP 113.0 - Intermediate
MP 115.5 - Palmdale (Crossovers)
MP 118.0 - Intermediate
MP 119.0 - West Danbury (West end of the controlled siding)
MP 121.0 - East Danbury (East end of the controlled siding)
MP 123.5 - Intermediate
MP 126.0 - Intermediate
MP 128.5 - Loudon (Crossovers)
MP 131.0 - Intermediate
MP 133.0 - Intermediate
MP 135.5 - Roseville (Crossovers)
MP 138.0 - Intermediate
MP 140.0 - Intermediate
MP 142.0 - Belhart Junction (Hannibal Branch switch)
MP 143.0 - BH Cabin (Crossovers)
MP 145.5 - Intermediate
MP 148.0 - Intermediate
MP 150.0 - Coldbank (Crossovers)
MP 152.0 - GR Cabin (Beginning of third main for eastbounds)
MP 154.0 - Vandalia (Crossovers)
MP 155.0 - West Quincy (West end of Gardner Yard)
MP 156.5 - Yard Center (No signals)
MP 158.0 - East Quincy (East end of Gardner Yard)
MP 159.0 - Janston (Crossovers, end of third main for eastbounds)
--END WAVERLY DISTRICT, BEGIN PEORIA DISTRICT--
Most intermediate signals are placed at mileposts, or halfway between them. Due to the configuration of mileposts on the Waverly District, all mileposts west of Waverly are referred to with "KC" and all east of Waverly with "QN." Ex: "OHNR 38T, engine 8575, clear KC 52.5 east, out."
The only notable grade on the Waverly District is Arlen Hill, which ranges from a 0.5% to 1.7&% grade for around 15 miles on the west slope, and 0.9% to 2.1% for nearly 25 miles on the east slope. Helpers are often required for heavy westbounds on the east slope.
Note- Many towns are fictional.
--END KANSAS CITY TERMINAL, BEGIN WAVERLY DISTRICT--
MP 70.4 - Avondale (Crossovers)
MP 69.5 - Searcy Creek
MP 68.0 - Claycomo (Crossovers for the west end of Glenaire Yard)
MP 66.5 - Glenaire
MP 64.3 - Cardinal (Crossovers for the east end of Glenaire Yard)
MP 62.1 - Alton (Beginning of Arlen Hill for eastbounds)
MP 60.0 - Intermediate
MP 57.0 - Attica (Crossovers)
MP 55.0 - Intermediate
MP 52.5 - Intermediate
MP 49.0 - Intermediate
MP 47.5 - Arlen (Crossovers, summit of Arlen Hill)
MP 45.0 - Intermediate
MP 42.0 - Intermediate
MP 39.5 - Intermediate
MP 37.0 - Glenville (Crossovers)
MP 35.0 - Intermediate
MP 32.5 - Intermediate
MP 30.0 - Holbrook (Crossovers)
MP 27.5 - Intermediate
MP 25.0 - Intermediate
MP 22.5 - Roanoke (Crossovers, beginning of Arlen Hill for westbounds, diamond/connection to the WI&I, helper pocket)
MP 19.5 - WY Cabin (Crossover from 1 to 2 only)
MP 17.5 - Intermediate
MP 15.0 - Intermediate
MP 13.0 - Leighton (Crossovers)
MP 10.5 - Intermediate
MP 8.0 - Intermediate
MP 5.5 - Intermediate
MP 3.0 - Corbin (Crossovers)
MP 2.0 - West Waverly (Crossovers, beginning of third main for eastbounds, west end of Willow Yard)
MP 0.0 - Yard Center (No signals)
MP 1.5 - East Waverly (Crossovers, end of third main for eastbounds, east end of Willow Yard)
MP 3.5 - Intermediate
MP 5.5 - Intermediate
MP 8.0 - Intermediate
MP 10.0 - Golden (Crossovers)
MP 13.0 - Intermediate
MP 15.0 - Intermediate
MP 17.5 - Kenting (Crossovers)
MP 20.0 - Intermediate
MP 23.0 - Intermediate
MP 25.5 - Intermediate
MP 27.5 - Intermediate
MP 30.0 - Kingsbank (Crossovers)
MP 33.0 - Intermediate
MP 36.0 - Intermediate
MP 39.0 - Intermediate
MP 41.0 - Grove Fort (Crossovers)
MP 43.5 - Intermediate
MP 46.0 - Intermediate
MP 49.0 - Intermediate
MP 51.0 - West Willowfield (Crossovers, west end of the controlled siding)
MP 53.0 - East Willowfield (Crossovers, east end of the controlled siding)
MP 56.0 - Intermediate
MP 58.5 - Intermediate
MP 61.0 - Beaverdam (Crossovers)
MP 63.0 - Intermediate
MP 65.5 - Intermediate
MP 69.0 - Englewood (Crossovers)
MP 71.5 - Intermediate
MP 74.0 - Intermediate
MP 77.0 - Intermediate
MP 79.5 - Lancaster (Crossovers)
MP 81.0 - Intermediate
MP 83.0 - Intermediate
MP 85.5 - Intermediate
MP 88.0 - BT Cabin (Crossovers)
MP 90.0 - Intermediate
MP 92.5 - Intermediate
MP 95.0 - Intermediate
MP 97.0 - Hilland (Crossovers)
MP 100.0 - Intermediate
MP 102.5 - Intermediate
MP 105.0 - Intermediate
MP 107.5 - Clarksville (Crossovers)
MP 110.5 - Intermediate
MP 113.0 - Intermediate
MP 115.5 - Palmdale (Crossovers)
MP 118.0 - Intermediate
MP 119.0 - West Danbury (West end of the controlled siding)
MP 121.0 - East Danbury (East end of the controlled siding)
MP 123.5 - Intermediate
MP 126.0 - Intermediate
MP 128.5 - Loudon (Crossovers)
MP 131.0 - Intermediate
MP 133.0 - Intermediate
MP 135.5 - Roseville (Crossovers)
MP 138.0 - Intermediate
MP 140.0 - Intermediate
MP 142.0 - Belhart Junction (Hannibal Branch switch)
MP 143.0 - BH Cabin (Crossovers)
MP 145.5 - Intermediate
MP 148.0 - Intermediate
MP 150.0 - Coldbank (Crossovers)
MP 152.0 - GR Cabin (Beginning of third main for eastbounds)
MP 154.0 - Vandalia (Crossovers)
MP 155.0 - West Quincy (West end of Gardner Yard)
MP 156.5 - Yard Center (No signals)
MP 158.0 - East Quincy (East end of Gardner Yard)
MP 159.0 - Janston (Crossovers, end of third main for eastbounds)
--END WAVERLY DISTRICT, BEGIN PEORIA DISTRICT--
Last edited by Y@ on Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: OHNR Kansas City Mainline
Holy cow Y@, you put more detail into your regionals than I do my shorty short lines 
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
Re: OHNR Kansas City Mainline
Thanks Don, here's a few more details for you.
The BGS installed searchlight signals are still dominant across the line, with few replacements to speak of. This is what your typical interlocking (crossover) cantilever looks like. These are the same style as the Santa Fe installed.
Here's what the interlocking bridges look like.
And your typical mast signal.
Most of the defect detectors along the line still have the unique sounding BGS recording: "Bowling Green Southern equipment defect detector, milepost four-seven-point-five, track two, no defects detected. Total axle count, four-six-six. Detector out."
Up until the late 1980's, the original operating towers that stood at nearly every interlocking were still standing. BGS began removing them from service and demolishing them in 1995, and OHNR took care of a few between 2002 and 2009. Today, only the towers at Roanoke, Kenting, BT Cabin and Loudon remain. BT Cabin is slated for demolition in September 2011 and the other three should come down by next fall as well.
Talks of a new intermodal terminal on the west side of Kansas City (Avondale) are in the works and a decision should be made by the end of the year. Construction could begin next spring, as this would mean expanding Glenaire Yard and moving all non-intermodal freight to the mostly empty Grandview Yard on the southeast side of Kansas City.
The BGS installed searchlight signals are still dominant across the line, with few replacements to speak of. This is what your typical interlocking (crossover) cantilever looks like. These are the same style as the Santa Fe installed.
Here's what the interlocking bridges look like.
And your typical mast signal.
Most of the defect detectors along the line still have the unique sounding BGS recording: "Bowling Green Southern equipment defect detector, milepost four-seven-point-five, track two, no defects detected. Total axle count, four-six-six. Detector out."
Up until the late 1980's, the original operating towers that stood at nearly every interlocking were still standing. BGS began removing them from service and demolishing them in 1995, and OHNR took care of a few between 2002 and 2009. Today, only the towers at Roanoke, Kenting, BT Cabin and Loudon remain. BT Cabin is slated for demolition in September 2011 and the other three should come down by next fall as well.
Talks of a new intermodal terminal on the west side of Kansas City (Avondale) are in the works and a decision should be made by the end of the year. Construction could begin next spring, as this would mean expanding Glenaire Yard and moving all non-intermodal freight to the mostly empty Grandview Yard on the southeast side of Kansas City.
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