The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

[heartlandguy]

The Monon has added its 7 U23Bs, 601-608, back to the roster, due to struggles with small amounts 4 axle power. These are all-original Monon units, that were retired back in the 90s, but were always kept around for some odd reason. Their original numbers will be kept. They will take a couple of days to be readied before re-entering service.

Trains on the Monon as of 3:30pm:
A-LC2 at Dyer; CIL 3308 (SD40-2), CIL 3367 (C40-8W)
CL-1 at Bedford; CIL 3340 (SD45), CIL 3369 (C40-8W), CIL 2019 (GP40E), HLCX 3811 (GP38-2), MQTX 301 (GP35)
LC-2 at Monon; CIL 3308 (SD40-2), CIL 2023 (GP40-2)
CI-1 at Frankfort; CIL 3313 (SD40-2), CIL 2049 (SD38-2), HLCX 3813 (GP38-2), MQTX 303 (GP35), MQTX 324 (GP35)
IL-2 at Monticello; CIL 3310 (SD40-2), CIL 3328 (SD40-2)
BL-1 at Greencastle; CP 6053 (SD40-2), CP 5956 (SD40-2), CP 5902 (SD40-2)
667 at Borden; CIL 3372 (C40-8W), CIL 3370 (C40-8W)
901 at Bloomington; CIL 3382 (C420), CIL 3375 (C420), CIL 2047 (SD38-2)

[heartlandguy]

Track crews have reached the MQT trackage, south of Michigan City. People are also working on the connection track in the SE quadrant of the (soon-to-be) diamond, and the interchange yard south of there. Installation of the diamond and the switch on the MQT side will be tomorrow. A ballast and tie train is heading up there to top off the supplies.

CIL U23Bs 601-608 are receiving overhauls and new coats of paint in Hammond, they should be ready this week. CIL engines 4000, 2003, 2004, and 2009 are also slated for new paint at the Hammond shops. This may be the last of the Annie orange on the Monon.

Trains on the Monon as of 5pm.
I-LC2 at Dyer; CIL 3343 (SD45), CIL 3348 (C40-8W)
A-CL2 at Cedar Lake; CIL 3367 (C40-8W), CIL 2048 (SD38-2)
CL-1 at Borden; CIL 3390 (C420), CIL 3339 (SD45)
LC-2 at Monon; CIL 3369 (C40-8W), CIL 3351 (C40-8W)
CI-1 at Frankfort; CIL 3310 (SD40-2), CIL 3333 (SD45)
IL-1 at Delphi; CIL 3345 (SD45)
BL-1 at Bedford; ICE 6444 (SD40-2), CP 6610 (ex SOO, SD40-2)
LNL at Reynolds; CIL 2006 (GP38E), CIL 2007 (GP38E)
LSL at South Raub; MQTX 325 (GP35), CIL 2012 (GP40E)
BSL at Harrodsburg; CIL 2020 (GP40E), MQTX 329 (GP35)
665 at Greencastle; UP 6194 (patched SP**, C44-9W), UP 7798 (AC45CCTE)
W-LMC (Louisville-Michigan City work train) at Wanatah; CIL 3385 (C420), CIL 3376 (C420)

[Saturnalia]

MQT work train called in Wyoming tomorrow at 6 EST for Michigan City. Train has the diamonds and switch all set to go, and the signal masts.

The Jct will be under control of MQT and the CP Annoyance Tower.

[heartlandguy]

MQT work train called in Wyoming tomorrow at 6 EST for Michigan City. Train has the diamonds and switch all set to go, and the signal masts.

The Jct will be under control of MQT and the CP Annoyance Tower.

Sounds good. We finished up most of the connection today. Our crews are in Michigan City tonight, and will be ready for ya when you get there. Ties and ballast are on hand as well. The gang has dubbed the junction, CP Hoosier, but it the official name is to be announced.

[Saturnalia]

MQT work train called in Wyoming tomorrow at 6 EST for Michigan City. Train has the diamonds and switch all set to go, and the signal masts.

The Jct will be under control of MQT and the CP Annoyance Tower.

Sounds good. We finished up most of the connection today. Our crews are in Michigan City tonight, and will be ready for ya when you get there. Ties and ballast are on hand as well. The gang has dubbed the junction, CP Hoosier, but it the official name is to be announced.

Aye Aye. It's currently CP East Michigan City.....

[heartlandguy]

MQT work train called in Wyoming tomorrow at 6 EST for Michigan City. Train has the diamonds and switch all set to go, and the signal masts.

The Jct will be under control of MQT and the CP Annoyance Tower.

Sounds good. We finished up most of the connection today. Our crews are in Michigan City tonight, and will be ready for ya when you get there. Ties and ballast are on hand as well. The gang has dubbed the junction, CP Hoosier, but it the official name is to be announced.

Aye Aye. It's currently CP East Michigan City.....

Alright, sounds good.

[heartlandguy]

The diamonds and connection to the MQT have been installed at Michigan City. Signals should be activated this weekend. The small interchange yard with the MQT should also be finished by this weekend. Crews have also made it alongside the NS/Amtrak Michigan Line, and has currently stopped just short of the South Shore RR.

MCM-1 made its first run today, going as far north as La Crosse, IN to work the local industries.

Trains on the Monon as of 4pm.
CL-1 at Bedford; CIL 3344 (SD45), CIL 3350 (C40-8W)
LC-2 at Greencastle; CIL 3367 (C40-8W), CIL 2049 (SD38-2), CIL 1061 (SW1500)
CI-1 at Carmel; CIL 3348 (C40-8W), CIL 2050 (SD38-2), CIL 2044 (SD38-2)
IL-1 at Frankfort; CIL 3333 (SD45), CIL 3310 (SD40-2), CIL 1064 (SW1500)
MCM-1 at Francesville; MQTX 335 (GP35), MQTX 304 (GP35)
BL-1 at Bloomington; CEFX 1009 (AC44CW), CP 6223 (SD60)
LB-2 at New Albany; CP 6610 (SD40-2) CP 8901 (ES44AC), SOO 2057 (MILW paint**, GP38-2)

[DT&I]

DME 6093 is now TSCR 214 and ICE 6444 is now TSCR 197. TSCR bought the OC&M which had purchased the IC&E and DM&E.

[heartlandguy]

DME 6093 is now TSCR 214 and ICE 6444 is now TSCR 197. TSCR bought the OC&M which had purchased the IC&E and DM&E.

Ok, thanks for the tip! Changes made...

[DT&I]

DME 6093 is now TSCR 214 and ICE 6444 is now TSCR 197. TSCR bought the OC&M which had purchased the IC&E and DM&E.

Ok, thanks for the tip! Changes made...

No problem!

[heartlandguy]

The Monon installed the diamond over the South Shore RR just east of downtown Michigan City. The line itself has made it to the NS/Amtrak Michigan Line. The diamond will be installed tomorrow. All that is left construction wise is to install a switch to the NIPSCO plant, and a short stretch of track for headroom, paralleling the Michigan Line.

CILs U23Bs, numbered 601-608, are ready for service. A pair is already in Monon, with the others in Chicago.

Trains on the Monon as of 5:30pm.
CL-1 at New Albany; CIL 3320 (SD40-2), CIL 3347 (C40-8W), CIL 1058 (RS-2)
LC-2 at Greencastle; CIL 3333 (SD45), CIL 3350 (C40-8W)
CI-1 at Oxbow; CIL 4000 (AC60CW), CIL 3365 (C40-8W)
IC-2 at Delphi; CIL 3348 (C40-8W)
IL-1 at Battle Ground; CIL 2050 (SD38-2), CIL 2044 (SD38-2)
LI-2 at Bedford; CIL 3310 (SD40-2), CIL 3344 (SD45)
MCM-1 tied up in Monon; CIL 601 (U23B), CIL 603 (U23B)
BL-1 at Borden; SOO 6053 (SD60), SOO 6048 (SD60)
LB-2 at Mitchell; CP 8823 (ES44AC), CP 6223 (SD60), CEFX 1009 (AC44CW)
667 at Bloomington; CIL 3372 (C40-8W), CIL 3362 (C40-8W)
427 (CP potash loads) at Monon; CIL 3303 (SD40-2), CP 5951 (SD40-2)

[heartlandguy]

The Monon has nearly completed the Lake Michigan Sub to Michigan City. The diamond with the NS/Amtrak Michigan Line is in place and the switch into the NIPSCO yard has been installed. All that is left is a small bit of headroom to be installed for coal trains to the power plant. The CIL/MQT interchange yard is nearly complete as well. The yard consists of two sidings, with the length of 4500ft for each.

Trains on the Monon as of 8pm
IC-2 at Cedar Lake; CIL 3365 (C40-8W), CIL 3320 (SD40-2)
IL-1 at New Pekin; CIL 4000 (AC60CW), CIL 3347 (C40-8W)
LI-2 at Greencastle; CIL 2044 (SD38-2), CIL 2050 (SD38-2), CIL 3303 (SD40-2)
LB-2 at Monon; CP 5951 (SD40-2), SOO 6048 (SD60)
666 at Mitchell; CP 8523 (AC44CW), NREX 4403 (UP paint**, SD40-2)

[heartlandguy]

The Lake Michigan Sub has been completed. The Track Geometry train will run this weekend to check for any flaws. MCM-1 ran all the way to Michigan City today, working the landfill and other industries, but staying south of the MQT diamonds. The OCS is also out and about today, running south to Louisville. Coal trains to the Michigan City NIPSCO plant are to begin next week, and coal trains to the West Olive, via MQT, are to start next Tuesday.

Trains on the Monon as of 4:30
CL-1 at Borden; BNSF 4582 (C40-8W), CIL 3308 (SD40-2)
LC-2 at Bloomington; SOO 6053 (SD60), CIL 3347 (C40-8W), CIL 4000 (AC60CW), CIL 1058 (RS-2)
CI-1 at Camrel; CIL 3370 (C40-8W), CIL 2003 (GP35E), HLCX 3810 (GP38-2)
IL-1 at Delphi; CIL 2050 (SD38-2), CIL 2044 (SD38-2), MQTX 303 (GP35)
MCM-1 at Medaryville; CIL 603 (U23B), CIL 601 (U23B)
BL-1 at Bedford; CP 6606 (SD40-2), CP 5826 (SD40-2)
LB-1 at New Albany; CP 8889 (ES44AC), CP 6000 (SD40-2), CIL 2019 (GP38E)
664 at Dyer; UP 4486 (SD70M), CIL 3321 (SD40-2)
666 at Lafayette; CP 8723 (ES44AC), SOO 6058 (SD60M)
866 at Clay City (Bear Run Branch); CIL 3340 (SD45), CIL 3338 (SD45), CIL 3382(C420)
900 at Crawfordsville; CSX 4001 (SD40-3), CSX 5286 (ES44AC), CIL 3389 (C420)
OCS-09 at Salem; CIL 98-A, CIL 99-A and 10 business cars

[heartlandguy]

T-GEO is working up the Lake Michigan Sub checking for defects. It will work up to the MQT diamonds, where crews are working on the signals for the diamonds and connection.

In loco roster news, the Monon is working to chop-nose its remaining high nose C420s. CIL 3388 emerged from the Hammond shops with a new low-nose. There are currently 9 more units with a high nose, and they will be indicated with a * behind their number in train reports. CIL 2022, 2021, and 2014 are in the paint shops receiving new coats of black and gold.

[heartlandguy]

Trains on the Monon as of 5pm...
A-LC2 at Munster; BNSF 4582 (C40-8W), UP 4486 (SD70M)
CL-1 at New Albany; CIL 3347 (C40-8W), CIL 3318 (SD40-2), CSX 4003 (SD40-3)
LC-2 at Greencastle; CIL 2044 (SD38-2), CIL 3308 (SD40-2)
CI-1 at Frankfort; CIL 4000 (AC60CW), CIL 3332 (SD45)
IC-2 at Kirklin; CIL 3370 (C40-8W), CIL 3303 (SD40-2)
IL-1 at Delphi; CIL 3341 (SD45)
MCM-1 at Francesville; CIL 603 (U23B), CIL 601 (U23B)
BL-1 at Bedford; CP 8903 (ES44AC), SOO 6044 (SD60)
LB-2 at Greencastle; SOO 6058 (SD60M), CP 6606 (SD40-2), CP 5826 (SD40-2)
667 at Dyer; CIL 3343 (SD45), CIL 3372 (C40-8W)
664 at Monon; CIL 3381* (C420), CIL 3379 (C420)
867 at Orleans; CIL 3333 (SD45), CIL 3377 (C420), CIL 3346 (C40-8W)
T-GEO at Michigan City; CIL 1066 (GP35H, pulling), CIL 1067 (GP35H, pushing)

[heartlandguy]

The signals at CP Hoosier, the diamonds with the MQT, have been cut in. The interlocking is controlled by CP Annoyance Tower, to the northeast.

Trains on the Monon as of 2pm
I-LC2 at Munster; CIL 3347 (C40-8W), CIL 3341 (SD45), CIL 3318 (SD40-2)
A-LC2 at Cedar Lake; CSX 5302 (ES44AC), CSX 8126 (SD40-2)
CL-1 at Bloomington; CIL 3303 (SD40-2), CIL 3308 (SD40-2)
LC-2 at New Pekin; CIL 3367 (C40-8W), CIL 2050 (SD38-2)
CI-1 at Monon; CIL 3304 (SD40-2), CIL 3305 (SD40-2), CIL 2014 (GP40E)
IL-1 at Carmel; CIL 3332 (SD45)
BL-1 at Greencastle; SOO 6026 (SD60), CP 5903 (SD40-2)
700 at Gosport; CIL 3331 (SD45), CIL 2032 (SD38-2), CIL 3376* (C420)
703 at Bedford; CIL 2033 (SD38-2), CIL 2035 (SD38-2), CIL 3371 (C40-8W)
706 at Lafayette; CIL 3377 (C420), CIL 3333 (SD45)
T-GEO at San Pierre; CIL 1067 (GP35H, pulling), CIL 1066 (GP35H, pushing)

[heartlandguy]

MCM-1 made the first run north of the MQT diamonds, and into Michigan City today to drop 11 loads of coal at the NIPSCO Plant.

The first coal train to West Olive, MI will also run tomorrow. The train will depart from the Indiana coalfields in the morning, and reach Michigan City sometime in the afternoon, where it will tie down and wait for an MQT crew to take it around the connection and east. The power will run through to the destination.

Trains on the Monon as of 430pm:
A-CL1 at New Albany; CSX 8126 (SD40-2), CIL 3347 (C40-8W)
A-LC2 at Dyer; CIL 3332 (SD45), CSX 599 (AC44CW)
CL-1 at Oolitic, IN; CIL 3368 (C40-8W), CIL 3318 (SD40-2)
LC-2 at Gosport; CIL 3341 (SD45), CIL 3303 (Sd40-2)
CI-1 at Frankfort; CIL 3364 (C40-8W)
IL-1 at Frankfort; CIL 3304 (SD40-2), HLCX 3813 (GP38-2)
MCM-1 at Wanatah; CIL 601 (U23B), CIL 603 (U23B)
BL-1 at Bloomington; CP 8852 (ES44AC), CP 8903 (ES44AC)
706 at Battle Ground; NS 1024 (SD70ACE), NS 8026 (ES44AC)
666 at South Hammond; SOO 6049 (SD60), CITX 3026 (SD40-2), CP 5957 (SD40-2)
901 at Lafayette; CSX 5286 (ES44AC), CSX 4001 (SD40-3)

[Saturnalia]

Crew called for 15:00 at CP Hoosier.

[heartlandguy]

833 pulled up to CP Hoosier at 4pm. The MQT crew was waiting for it beside the interlocking. The crew got on and took it around the SE connection. Power was CIL 3342 (SD45), CIL 3376 (high-hood C420), CIL 3388 (C420). This is also the first time ALCO power has made it onto the MQT GR Sub in 15 yrs, so heads up railfans!

I-CL1 is running extremely late today, due to clipping a car at Cedar Lake, IN. The leader, CIL 4000, was cleared to lead to Louisville.

Trains on the Monon as of 4:30pm
I-CL1 at Bloomington
CL-1 at Bedford
LC-2 at Greencastle
CI-1 at Delphi
IL-2 at Frankfort
MCM-1 at Monon
BSL at South Raub
BL-1 at Gosport
LB-2 at New Albany
428 (mty potash) at Lafayette
705 at Francesville

[heartlandguy]

Coal train 833 made up the MQT to West Olive last night. Expecting empties to come back on Friday or Saturday.

UP is going to run a pair of coal trains down the Monon, going to Tennessee. These trains wil be symboled 864 for loads, and 865 for empties. They will begin running this weekend, and will be scheduled for once a week.

Trains on the Monon as of 5pm.
A-LC2 at South Hammond; CSX 4025 (SD40-3), CSX 4031 (SD40-3)
CL-1 at New Albany; CIL 3348 (C40-8W), CIL 3311 (SD40-2), MQTX 304 (GP35)
LC-2 at Lafayette; CIL 3307 (SD40-2), CIL 3332 (SD45), MQTX 301 (GP35)
CI-1 at Carmel; CIL 3343 (SD45), CIL 607 (U23B)
IL-1 at Battle Ground; CIL 3321 (SD40-2), CIL 2039 (GP40-2)
LI-2 at Bedford; CIL 4000 (AC60CW)
BL-1 at Orleans; CIL 3366 (C40-8W), CP 8873 (ES44AC)
LB-2 at New Pekin; CP 5921 (SD40-2), CP 9543 (AC44CW)
664 at Cedar Lake; UP 8627 (SD70ACe), CIL 3359 (C40-8W)
665 at Gosport; CIL 3380 (C420), CIL 3331 (SD45)