The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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Saturnalia
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MNTC's stuff is leaving the east coast on Wednesday, so we're looking to run northbound in daylight on Thursday, that is assuming they can make interchange overnight.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:MNTC's stuff is leaving the east coast on Wednesday, so we're looking to run northbound in daylight on Thursday, that is assuming they can make interchange overnight.
Roger, the MQT power will be taken south to Alida on T-MNB, which should put them there around 2ish. Depending on what time your crew and our pilot arrive, we could have them heading north by 3-3:30pm EDT.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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Not exactly the 4th of July we were hoping for... CIL coal train #821, destined for the the NIPSCO plant in Michigan City, derailed at CP Hoosier just after 5:00pmCDT. The coal train was supposed to be one of the last lower priority trains running today. About 13 cars are derailed starting at the MQT diamonds (with one car with wheels on the ground on top of the diamond, fouling the plant), and ending just shy of the northward facing absolute on the CIL. Its quite a mess, with coal spilled over everywhere, and crumpled aluminum hoppers everywhere. CIL and RJ Corman crews are beginning to arrive on scene to assess the damage and begin cleanup ASAP, as the MQT mainline is blocked. It could've been worse, though, as the speeds through here are down to 20mph starting just south of CP Hoosier an into Michigan City.

The derailment started at car 45, and continued all the way to car 58. Early assessment has found wheel marks on the ties starting at the Southeast connection switch, and a wheel at the MQT diamonds.

More to come...
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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In addition to what I said over on the MQT thread, our engineering department has decided to just replace all the diamonds, as a quicker option. They're being made in Wyoming Yard, to be shipped in just about an hour.

The old ones will be fixed and stored to eventually go back in when these new ones need to go...
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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More info from the wreck. The un-damaged cars have been pulled away, and clean up of the cars blocking the MQT main has begun. That task should take about 2-3hrs. The diamonds took a pretty good beating and need repaired in spots, but no significant damage was found. All three diamonds will be replaced, though, by MQT after the wrecked cars are cleared.

Another clue to this wreck, was the discovery of a chipped frog on the SE connection switch on the CIL side...
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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heartlandguy wrote:More info from the wreck. The un-damaged cars have been pulled away, and clean up of the cars blocking the MQT main has begun. That task should take about 2-3hrs. The diamonds took a pretty good beating and need repaired in spots, but no significant damage was found. All three diamonds will be replaced, though, by MQT after the wrecked cars are cleared.

Another clue to this wreck, was the discovery of a chipped frog on the SE connection switch on the CIL side...
I remember MQT installed that switch, but CIL maintains & inspects it. Gotta do a better job inspecting apparently!

We sent a replacement from for that switch as well. Arrived around 300. Crews got one main clear, that being #1, before 730, so the Pere Marquettes have run fine today. Freight is backing up, but we're still running a limited schedule today. 1225 is going back to St. Joseph today, but that isn't far enough to tangle with this wreck.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:
heartlandguy wrote:More info from the wreck. The un-damaged cars have been pulled away, and clean up of the cars blocking the MQT main has begun. That task should take about 2-3hrs. The diamonds took a pretty good beating and need repaired in spots, but no significant damage was found. All three diamonds will be replaced, though, by MQT after the wrecked cars are cleared.

Another clue to this wreck, was the discovery of a chipped frog on the SE connection switch on the CIL side...
I remember MQT installed that switch, but CIL maintains & inspects it. Gotta do a better job inspecting apparently!

We sent a replacement from for that switch as well. Arrived around 300. Crews got one main clear, that being #1, before 730, so the Pere Marquettes have run fine today. Freight is backing up, but we're still running a limited schedule today. 1225 is going back to St. Joseph today, but that isn't far enough to tangle with this wreck.
Whatever you say... :roll: Its not exactly the highest priority line ever, so it won't get constant attention (only sees a consistent 2 trains a day, both are locals, plus 1 coal on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday). 821 is a monthly train, and runs whenever NIPSCO wants it, so it doesn't count. We try to hi-rail the line once every month or two, and that seems to suffice enough for us. Frog might've started cracking after 833 went through on Wednesday, not sure yet...

The new diamonds are in, and the finishing touches on them are going on now (new ballast, etc), so all MQT mains will be considered clear when work on the diamonds finishes. The switch on the CIL side is going in next. The old switch will be taken and repaired by the CIL and kept until the switch needs replaced again. With the amount of machinery and people in the area near the junction, we ask that all MQT trains go through at restricted speed until most of the big equipment and people move far enough away from the diamonds...
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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heartlandguy wrote:
MQT3001 wrote:
heartlandguy wrote:More info from the wreck. The un-damaged cars have been pulled away, and clean up of the cars blocking the MQT main has begun. That task should take about 2-3hrs. The diamonds took a pretty good beating and need repaired in spots, but no significant damage was found. All three diamonds will be replaced, though, by MQT after the wrecked cars are cleared.

Another clue to this wreck, was the discovery of a chipped frog on the SE connection switch on the CIL side...
I remember MQT installed that switch, but CIL maintains & inspects it. Gotta do a better job inspecting apparently!

We sent a replacement from for that switch as well. Arrived around 300. Crews got one main clear, that being #1, before 730, so the Pere Marquettes have run fine today. Freight is backing up, but we're still running a limited schedule today. 1225 is going back to St. Joseph today, but that isn't far enough to tangle with this wreck.
Whatever you say... :roll: Its not exactly the highest priority line ever, so it won't get constant attention (only sees a consistent 2 trains a day, both are locals, plus 1 coal on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday). 821 is a monthly train, and runs whenever NIPSCO wants it, so it doesn't count. We try to hi-rail the line once every month or two, and that seems to suffice enough for us. Frog might've started cracking after 833 went through on Wednesday, not sure yet...

The new diamonds are in, and the finishing touches on them are going on now (new ballast, etc), so all MQT mains will be considered clear when work on the diamonds finishes. The switch on the CIL side is going in next. The old switch will be taken and repaired by the CIL and kept until the switch needs replaced again. With the amount of machinery and people in the area near the junction, we ask that all MQT trains go through at restricted speed until most of the big equipment and people move far enough away from the diamonds...
I wasn't accusing you of wrongdoing, you were within the confines of the law, but a cracked frog should be at least noticeable by the train crews. Not a big deal, just some lost time, at least for us.

We have a 20-mph Slow Order, and a flagman posted at the diamond. Crews must secure permission from him to proceed. Our work train is being packed up, a hi-rail crane will suffice now. That crew is going back as soon as a crew arrives from Chicago, coming in on XCHIDET3, who is currently at Porter Junction.

All-in-all, only a 24 hour incident. We've had worse :lol:
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:I wasn't accusing you of wrongdoing, you were within the confines of the law, but a cracked frog should be at least noticeable by the train crews. Not a big deal, just some lost time, at least for us.

We have a 20-mph Slow Order, and a flagman posted at the diamond. Crews must secure permission from him to proceed. Our work train is being packed up, a hi-rail crane will suffice now. That crew is going back as soon as a crew arrives from Chicago, coming in on XCHIDET3, who is currently at Porter Junction.

All-in-all, only a 24 hour incident. We've had worse :lol:
Roger. The new diamonds are done, and you can start running stuff now. The switch is now going in on the CIL right now, and the wrecked cars are almost cleared. The spilled coal will be trucked to NIPSCO for them to use. The Monon at CP Hoosier should be back open around midnight tonight after some issues with the track are cleared.

I know you weren't accusing me of anything, but telling me how I "gotta do a better job" inspecting lines just didn't go over well. The frog probably started cracking when 833 went through Wed. night. Both MCM-1 and T-MNB were annulled yesterday, and no MofW was around, so no one was around to report it until 821 went through, and subsequently derailed. It's almost all cleaned up, and no one was hurt, so its all good now... :wink:
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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BTW, both Pere Marquettes, #370 & 370, went thru Hoosier before the diamonds were replaced. They went over the old, damaged ones at 5mph, with crews looking out for any trouble. Both made it and arrived in each destination about 5 minutes late.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:BTW, both Pere Marquettes, #370 & 370, went thru Hoosier before the diamonds were replaced. They went over the old, damaged ones at 5mph, with crews looking out for any trouble. Both made it and arrived in each destination about 5 minutes late.
Roger, good to hear they made it.
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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Here is an image of CIL #3301, the Indiana University SD40-2, sitting in Louisville. IMO, it is one of the nicest engines in the fleet...

Image
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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Stormy day expected on the Monon. All crews are being advised to look out for severe weather between Louisville and Chicago this afternoon. Storms have already rolled through south of Chicago, with CL-1 being bombarded with golf ball sized hail near Cedar Lake. No significant damage was reported to any of the locomotives or rolling stock, but several small dents on freight cars were found, as well as a small crack on the lead unit's windshield (leader was CIL 3355, C40-8W). Another cluster of storms are approaching Greencastle.

All crews are asked to remain observant for severe weather, downed trees, or other line-side damage.
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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W-GRRBUF-10 dropped off the old, repaired diamonds at CP Hoosier. They'll be sitting in the NE corner (between the connection and diamonds) until they're needed. They have a special coating that will prevent rust for the time being.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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I've got good news and bad news. Alright, bad news first:

Consumers Power in Essexville just got a better bid from an eastern mine to provide coal. So, you're out those two trains per month. Fared better than the western supplier, who instead of shipping 4 trains a week for the plant will now be shipping one.

But, on the upside, the power plant in Lansing would like to get one coal train a month for the next 6 months, as Natural Gas prices stay high. Consumers in West Olive would also like to get one more train of Central Coal per month.

Also, Conrad Yelvingston is looking to open a new rail-served facility in northern Indiana to ship coal from Alpena on the MQT. You'd better reel 'em in! Sounds like 3 loaded trains per week, with empties returning the next day in a cycle that only dies on Sunday.
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:I've got good news and bad news. Alright, bad news first:

Consumers Power in Essexville just got a better bid from an eastern mine to provide coal. So, you're out those two trains per month. Fared better than the western supplier, who instead of shipping 4 trains a week for the plant will now be shipping one.

But, on the upside, the power plant in Lansing would like to get one coal train a month for the next 6 months, as Natural Gas prices stay high. Consumers in West Olive would also like to get one more train of Central Coal per month.

Also, Conrad Yelvingston is looking to open a new rail-served facility in northern Indiana to ship coal from Alpena on the MQT. You'd better reel 'em in! Sounds like 3 loaded trains per week, with empties returning the next day in a cycle that only dies on Sunday.
Roger, we'll wrangle together our SD45s and get the trains moving. When do you want these to start?
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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The coal trains will start as soon as the old contracts expire, which is the end of the month. Lansing wants their trains on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, West Olive wants theirs the 3rd Tuesday...be happy with that because they wanted the same day. At least having common days will make our operations departments happier with the continuity.


CR Yelvingston is looking to buy the land this fall, build the infrastructure over winter, and begin receiving trains in February to be ready for the start of construction season 2014
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Re: The Monon RR (Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville)

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MQT3001 wrote:The coal trains will start as soon as the old contracts expire, which is the end of the month. Lansing wants their trains on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, West Olive wants theirs the 3rd Tuesday...be happy with that because they wanted the same day. At least having common days will make our operations departments happier with the continuity.


CR Yelvingston is looking to buy the land this fall, build the infrastructure over winter, and begin receiving trains in February to be ready for the start of construction season 2014
Roger that. Symbols for Lansing trains will run under 824 & 825, once Essexville trains are done. The second W. Olive train will be 835 (loads) & 836 (empties).
"Alright, uh, get to a stop here and we'll order you a party bus for Lima" -12/30/16

"He ain't one of them terrorists, is he?" "Nah, just some paparazzi. We never get them out here!" -03/12/19

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