The Ironwood Belt Railroad

[cfriedri]

The Ironwood Belt Railroad (Reporting Mark IB) is a Class III Short Line Railroad that was formed on Monday, August 19, 2013 as a reorganization of the Alma and South Michigan Railroad (Reporting Mark ASM). The IB operates approximately 100 miles of Right-of-Way between Osmer, Michigan and Alma, Michigan. Major commodities include sand and grain, with occasional automotive and intermodal trains. All rights obtained under ASM control are still in effect.

The IB has decided to maintain the decision to upgrade and expand the repair facilities of Owosso, Michigan. Construction will continue to proceed on the facilities and Monday, July 7, 2014 is maintained as the current goal for completion of the project. The IB has also made the decision to begin construction of a second operating easement for higher priority trains. The new operating easement will host the daily MoTown Commuter Rail operations between Ann Arbor and Howell as well as the automotive and intermodal specials.

The second operating easement's construction is to begin on Monday, September 2, 2013 and is scheduled to be complete by Monday, March 24, 2014. The easement will be constructed with several sidings to avoid interference with trains on the original operating easement. Upon completion of the new easement, the original easement will be upgraded to the standards of the new easement. The new Right-of-Way should improve efficiency with regard to track speed, maintenance cost, and public image.

The IB has maintained the ASM roster, with EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 and EMD GP50s #3150-3157. However, IB motive power management has decided, based on ASM motive power efficiency records, that more locomotives will be needed for the expansion of the railroad. With that said, the IB has entered into an agreement with the BNSF Railway to purchase EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705. The IB is still searching for motive power, but have decided that current power should be sufficient for the rest of the year.

The EMD GP39-2s #2700-2701 will head to a rebuild facility while EMD GP39-2s #2702-2705 will come directly to IB property. The IB will send two EMD GP39-2s at a time to a selected rebuild facility so that four EMD GP39-2s will be on the property at any given time. The EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 will head to Larry's Truck and Electric one at a time beginning Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Norfolk Southern Railway's Juniata Locomotive Works is still the designated painter for all motive power.

The IB expects that normal operations will commence on Monday, August 26, 2013 following this week's commotion. IB officials are excited to begin this new chapter of operation and they look forward to working with interchange partners, customers, and railroads across Michigan and the surrounding states.

Locomotive Roster

EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]

Interchange Points

Osmer, MI (AA)
Howell, MI
Ann Pere, MI (MQT)
Durand, MI (GLH)
Owosso, MI
Alma, MI (GLH, SAMM)

[astrovanman1989]

are you planing to operate the ashley to midleton branch

[cfriedri]

The Alma and South Michigan Railroad had previously been operating the Middleton Branch. Although the Ironwood Belt Railroad has reorganized the ASM, operations have remained virtually the same, so the Middleton Branch is included in the operations of the IB. With the harvest season on approach, we expect to be servicing the elevators and local business on the line frequently. With that said, we have M-o-W crews currently working on the branch to prepare for such.

[cfriedri]

IB has contracted Marquette Rail to rebuild several EMD GP35s to Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs and GP39Es. They are expected to arrive mid-September. The Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es will hold the numbers 2400-2403 and the Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs will hold the numbers 2600-2603.

Locomotive Roster

Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es #2400-2403 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs #2600-2603 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]

[legostudios34]

Do you interchange with NS or CSX anywhere?

[cfriedri]

The Ironwood Belt Railroad does not have any direct connections to either CSX or NS. However, some of our interchange partners do. I believe the Ann Arbor Railroad connects with both in Toledo.

On another note, construction of the second operating easement has been proceeding with great success. IB has estimated that with the rate the construction crews are proceeding, we will be able to move the completion date up, but we have yet to find out how much earlier it will be complete. IB has purchased two Rebuilt-EMD GP35us #710-711 from the High Point and Rome Railroad. We expect them to arrive on the property within the next week or so. IB will overhaul and renumber them to Rebuilt-EMD GP35us #2450-2451.

[Saturnalia]

Marquette has connections with CSX in both Chicago & Toledo. Through CSX, we have access to anyone in Toledo or Chicago.

[legostudios34]

We'll route them from Rome on NS 174 to Chicago, and from there they can be on a transfer run to CSX and then to you MQT. You can then take it to the Ironwood Belt.

[Saturnalia]

We'll route them from Rome on NS 174 to Chicago, and from there they can be on a transfer run to CSX and then to you MQT. You can then take it to the Ironwood Belt.

That works. We'll get them on M-CHIGRR2-10, and stage them to go out on the loco transfer back to IBR with the units that have received work.

[legostudios34]

Alright, your GP35s will be picked up by NS tonight.

[cfriedri]

We look forward to receiving them!

Locomotive Roster

Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es #2400-2403 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
Rebuilt-EMD GP35us #2450-2451 (2) [ex-ATSF/HPR]
Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs #2600-2603 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]

[Saturnalia]

We look forward to receiving them!

Locomotive Roster

Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es #2400-2403 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
Rebuilt-EMD GP35us #2450-2451 (2) [ex-ATSF/HPR]
Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs #2600-2603 (4) [ex-ATSF/MQT]
EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]

Our crews have been working feverishly on your new rebuilds. We are anticipating a delivery date of 9-15-13. But, the first unit, #2400, is ready, and will be dropped off at AnnPere later today by L-LANANN for you guys to test out. Please report any problems so we can fix them, of course they are covered by warranty.

[cfriedri]

Excellent! We will run our tests over the next few days and notify you of any issues that may come about.

On a side note, the IB has prepared EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 for transfer to Larry's Truck and Electric. We will send them to LTEX as soon as our Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es and GP39Vs arrive from Marquette Rail. We expect them to be back on the property by late November better than new. Staying true to the heritage of the locomotives, the oscillating nose lights will be maintained during the rebuild process. The locomotives will receive the designation of Rebuilt-EMD GP40-2 and maintain their current numbers, #3100-3101.

[legostudios34]

IB 710, IB 711 interchanged to CSX at East Chicago, IL SEP 9, 2013 2044 hours local time.

[Saturnalia]

IB 710, IB 711 interchanged to CSX at East Chicago, IL SEP 9, 2013 2044 hours local time.

CSX has moved them up to M-CHIGRR1-10. Looks like they'll be to the IBR tomorrow, if they make the transfer in Grand Rapids. M-CHIGRR is called in Chicago at Midnight, and as long as they make GRR by noon we should be good for the afternoon IBR unit transfer from Wyoming. We'll see.

[cfriedri]

Operations on the IB have been proceeding well through the first four months of existence. The Rebuilt-EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 have returned from Larry's Truck and Electric and have been performing as planned. The Rebuilt-EMD GP39Es #2400-2403 and Rebuilt-EMD GP39Vs #2600-2603 have been under extensive testing and have proven themselves as a necessary addition to the IB. The EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 have all been completely rebuilt and have been performing as planned. Work on the second operating easement has slowed for the winter months but completion is still ahead of schedule.