Deshler Train Info Wanted

[Todd_F]

Hello!

I apologize if this topic has come up before but I didn’t see a related thread while searching through Ohio 2014 posts.

A fellow railfan recently suggested Deshler to me and insisted that I visit this amazingly inviting community with limitless photographic potential, small town charm, lots of CPL’s, and a plethora of CSX trains. Since fall, I’ve been researching the town, the railroad, springtime sun angles, and even spent a half dozen hours on Google Street View trying to glean the best photo angles in town throughout a typical spring day.

Unfortunately, I still can't find conclusive traffic volume numbers for both lines, a comprehensive list of train symbols for both lines, or a ROUGH daily/weekly train schedule for both lines. Any of that info would be greatly appreciated!!

Here's the info I’ve amassed thus far: EDITED

A Railfan Guide to Deshler, Ohio
Referred to as the “Crossroads of The B&O” and “Corn City” Deshler is where the CSX Willard/Garrett Sub and Toledo Sub cross at grade.

THE DOUBLE-TRACK LINE
•Runs between Chicago & Cleveland
•East of Deshler it is the Willard Subdivision
•West of Deshler it is the Garrett Subdivision
•Runs northwest to southeast
•Deshler is milepost 62.5
•The North Track is # 1
•The South Track is # 2
•Currently sees about 70 trains daily
-The SE connector sees 20 moves daily
-The NW connector sees about 10 moves daily
-The SW connector sees about 10
•Trains are restricted to 40 mph across the diamond

THE SINGLE-TRACK LINE
•Runs from Toledo to Cincinnati
•Is called the Toledo Subdivision
•Runs northeast to southwest
•Deshler is milepost 164.8
•Currently sees about 10-15 through-trains daily
•Has both an east and west siding on either side of the main south of town
•Trains are restricted to 35 mph across the diamond

GARRETT / WILLARD SUB DEFECT DETECTORS
WEST – MP 73.3
DESHLER – MP 62.5
EAST – MP 60.3
EAST – New Yard
EAST – MP 46.2

TOLEDO SUP DEFECT DETECTORS
NORTH – MP 178.8
DESHLER – MP 164.8
SOUTH – MP 160.6

RADIO FREQUENCIES:
161.370 (Deshler west)
161.520 (Deshler east and wyes)
160.290 (Deshler north and south)
160.2300 (Road) – Both mainlines

PHOTO OPPS
•Grain Elevator
•City Hall
•Main Street
•Beautiful Buildings
•Town Sign
•Abandoned Depot
•MOW ex-interlocking Tower
•Reservoir.
•Water Towers.
•Color Position Signal Lights (CPL’s)

AMENITIES
•Crossroads Railfan Park in SW quadrant of diamond
-Pavilion
-Port-a-john
-Fire pit
-Scanner broadcasting all rail activity
-Free Wi-Fi (so bring your ATCS equipped laptop)
•Villa Rose (open for breakfast and lunch)
•Corn City Bar (good food & beer)
•Rons Super Value grocery store (has lunch specials)

LODGING
•Camp or tent at Crossroads Park
•Bowling Green or Findlay both less than a half hour away
•North Baltimore has the Crown Inn, fifteen minutes away, cheap
•West to Defiance

COURTESY
There is a donation box provided at Crossroads Park. The park is privately owned and run entirely as a volunteer effort.

Train Symbols & Movements

EASTBOUND
•Q 010 Intermodal - Around Noon. UPS
•Q 016 Intermodal - Morning
•Q 018 Intermodal - Before Sunrise
•Q 020 Intermodal - Before Sunrise
•Q 090 Refrigerated Fruit
•Q 148 Chicago to Cleveland
•Q 156 Intermodal
•Q 158 Intermodal - North Baltimore to New York
•Q 166 Intermodal - Normally runs near Q 010. CP Rail
•Q 172 - BNSF Chicago to North Baltimore also operates with “S” as 2nd section a few times a week.
•Q 200 Auto Parts - Morning
•Q 206 is back - Almost Daily Chicago to Walbridge via Fostoria
•Q 368 Manifest
•Q 380 Manifest
•Q 382 Manifest
•Q 384 Manifest
•Q 386 Manifest
•Q 388 Manifest

NORTHBOUND turns EAST
•K 525 Coil empties
•Q 134 Intermodal
•Q 222 Autoracks
•Q 342 Manifest

WESTBOUND
•Q 003 Intermodal - Overnight UPS
•Q 009 Intermodal - Evening UPS
•Q 015 Intermodal
•Q 017 Intermodal - Evening UPS
•Q 019 Intermodal - Overnight UPS
•Q 015 Intermodal
•Q 137 Intermodal
•Q 161 Intermodal
•Q 163 Intermodal
•Q 167 Intermodal
•Q 171 Intermodal
•Q 369 Manifest
•Q 383 Manifest - Willard to BNSF Chicago
•Q 389 Manifest
•Q 391 Manifest
•Q 393 Manifest
•S 365 as needed (used to be Q 339)

NORTHBOUND turns WEST
•Q 248 - Evansville to Chicago
•Q 500

SOUTHBOUND turns WEST
•L 395 Manifest
•Q 209 - Toledo to Chicago (every other day)
•Q 509

SOUTHBOUND
•D 743 Local
•G 009 Grain
•K185 Iron Ore (Taconite)
•Q 231 Autoracks (can run via Fostoria)
•Q 243 Manifest (can run via Fostoria)
•Q 507 Manifest

WESTBOUND turns SOUTH
•K 524 Coil Steel
•Q 133 Intermodal - Night
•Q 241 Manifest - Morning.
•Q 339 Manifest
•Q 365 Manifest
•Q 231 (could come from the north)
•Q 243 (could come from the north)

EASTBOUND turns SOUTH
•Q 231
•Q 243
•Q 507 Manifest
•Q 501 - Usually runs at night

NORTHBOUND
•D 743 Local (will return south several hours later)
•Q 506 Manifest
•Q 512 Manifest
•K 186 Iron Ore (Taconite)

EASTBOUND turns NORTH
•Q 134 Intermodal
•Q 342 Manifest
•Q 272 - Usually turns and goes via Fostoria

[MagnumForce]

70 trains on day on the East West Garrett/Willard Sub many turn. 10 ish north of town on the Toledo Sub, 25 is south of town. Not saying there are 100 trains a day as so many of them turn. Probably 80-85 ish a day total.

Symbols are way too numerous to list. You can use the Railfan Wiki here to get an idea. It's busy all day but not always consistent, you may have 10 trains in an hour and then no trains for 2 hours. I live in nearby Defiance which is also on the East West line 25 miles to the West. Many lodging places here as well as the Napoleon, Defiance and Western Shortline. Another option would be Fostoria which is about the same distance to the east and is home to the Iron Triangle Railfan Park. One of the best of it's type in the country and the crossing of 2 CSX Lines and an NS line.

Like us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/DeshlerCrossro ... ?ref=br_tf

[cr6903]

Todd, a few updates for you:

Willard Sub Defect Detectors
East MP 52.2
Also East 60.3

Toledo Sub defect detectors
South 160.6 (the 158.9 detector was removed)

Amenities
Corn City Bar Closed due to fire, subsequently demolished!

Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum! Eric

[railohio]

A suggestion: Go and have fun and enjoy being away from the computer for a day, and don't sweat the details.

[cbehr91]

The 52.2 detector was eliminated when they built the yard. The 60.3 and the 46.2 detectors replaced it.

[JoJames]

North track is number one. South track is number two.
It's a toss up comparing both west y tracks with southeast y track as far as train counts go.
Figure on around 75 total trains a day through Deshler with up to ten less or more on the side of 75.

[Todd_F]

Thank you for the traffic volume and updated information gentlemen! Your help is greatly appreciated.

Since Deshler is far enough away from me that it’s not economically feasible to make spontaneous trips, and I’m slightly OCD with when it comes to videography/photography, I wanted to research the area as much as possible beforehand to maximize time trackside, rather than scrambling around at the last moment trying to come up with an acceptable shot as a train approaches… I did that in my youth and have the cringe-worthy footage and photos of ATSF in its golden years to show for it.

Thankfully, some diligent homework on Deshler has revealed that one can follow the sun through each quardrant throughought the day, and still manage a beautiful shot of a train no matter which direction it is heading, and get the shot without trespassing on railroad or private property, no less. I can’t wait to shoot the town, the architecture, the CPL’s, and of course the trains!

When I come this spring, I expect to arrive before dawn, shoot till dusk, get a couple night shots in, sleep in my vehicle, and shoot the second day from dawn till the midday lul before returning home. Hopefully CSX will cooperate (although I’m not too worried based on research). I plan to get in two or three more day-trips by next fall as well.

Off chance, do any of you know if CSX tends to run more traffic toward the end of the week or the beginning? I’ve noticed this varies from railroad to railroad and, while I’ve learned UP’s Geneva Sub, NS’s Chicago Line, BNSF’s Chilli Sub patterns, I know nothing of CSX patterns.

Oh, are handheld scanners legal to carry in Ohio, or do your laws reflect Indiana’s?

Thanks again!
Todd

[JoJames]

End of week especially Friday and Saturday traffic is a peak. Tuesday is usually the slowest.
No problems with hand held scanners in Ohio.

[MagnumForce]

The beautiful architecture thing is quite a stretch. City hall is neat but that's about it.

[railohio]

I bet someone from Flint sees it different than someone from Defiance. Just sayin'

[MagnumForce]

Massive culture shock between Flint, one of the most dangerous cities in the country, and Deshler where you can leave 5000 dollars of camera equipment on a picnic table, go to lunch, come back and it's still there.

[Todd_F]

LOL Flint! I’m not from anywhere with quite that much blight, railohio.

Good to know levels increase at weeks end. Thanks JoJames!

MagnumForce, the architecture I am referring to is the simple, yet charming small town stuff like the new City Hall, the old Monthaven building across the tracks from it, the grain dryers/silos, multiple water towers, Christian Bors. Builders, the old 3-story brick Lumber Company and the Deshler Metal Working buildings on East Ave, Defiance Metal Products on Maple St, and of course the tower and the train station at the diamonds and the awesome CPL’s. The fact that this town is laid out and appears to be as neat and tidy as an actual model railroad is an additional bonus and only adds to the videography potential, in my humble opinion. I can’t wait!

[MagnumForce]

Guess it being home and all, I overlook it.

[Todd_F]

The 52.2 detector was eliminated when they built the yard. The 60.3 and the 46.2 detectors replaced it.

Is this a general merchandise or intermodal yard, and didn't it open the last year or two? Did I read somewhere that another overflow yard is being built just south of Deshler?

[railohio]

North Baltimore opened in 2011:

http://www.csx.com/index.cfm/media/pres ... ns-service

[cbehr91]

The 52.2 detector was eliminated when they built the yard. The 60.3 and the 46.2 detectors replaced it.

Is this a general merchandise or intermodal yard, and didn't it open the last year or two? Did I read somewhere that another overflow yard is being built just south of Deshler?

It's an intermodal yard that opened in 2011. Haven't really heard the latest on the proposed class. yard so I can't really say.

I agree with the other members that say to just go to Deshler and enjoy yourself, there will be trains. Lots of them. It's a unique experience.

[Todd_F]

The 52.2 detector was eliminated when they built the yard. The 60.3 and the 46.2 detectors replaced it.

Is this a general merchandise or intermodal yard, and didn't it open the last year or two? Did I read somewhere that another overflow yard is being built just south of Deshler?

It's an intermodal yard that opened in 2011. Haven't really heard the latest on the proposed class. yard so I can't really say.

I agree with the other members that say to just go to Deshler and enjoy yourself, there will be trains. Lots of them. It's a unique experience.

Thanks again for the info.

Rest assured, I will go to Deshler, and like the Borg, I'll conquer it, catalog it, and move on in a couple years to another location while keeping Deshler in my rolodex. Don't rush it, I have a wierd process.

[Dan Cluley]

... Don't rush it, I have a wierd process.

[Todd_F]

... Don't rush it, I have a wierd process.

Oh, it's YOU mister Cluley. I should have known! Hahaha Animaniacs were way ahead of their time.

[Todd_F]

Okay, I think I’ve compiled a decent starting point for (mostly daily) train symbols/movements at Deshler. I know several of you feel I need to “just go to Deshler” but I still have at least 2.5 months before that trip is even possible. In the mean time, I wanted to get familiar with some symbols, so when I get there and hear a train mentioned on the scanner, I know which direction, or more importantly, which connector the thing is going to take, thus allowing time to maneuver for a decent shot.

The commodities and unit trains were omitted due to their as-needed status. But please feel free to add the some symbols of known oil, ethanol, grain, coke, etc trains that utilize the connector tracks.

As there is scant searchable and comprehensive information on the net, I hope this list will help other/future railfans interested in the area.

Additions and corrections are encouraged.

Thanks!

EASTBOUND
•Q008 Intermodal
•Q010 Intermodal
•Q016 Intermodal
•Q018 Intermodal
•Q090 Refrigerated Fruit
•Q156 Intermodal
•Q158 Intermodal
•Q166 Intermodal
•Q200 Auto Parts
•Q368 Manifest
•Q372 (UP)
•Q380 Manifest
•Q382 Manifest
•Q384 Manifest
•Q386 Manifest
•Q388 Manifest

EASTBOUND to SOUTH
•Q231
•Q243
•Q507 Manifest

EASTBOUND to NORTH
•Q324 Manifest

WESTBOUND
•Q007 Intermodal
•Q015 Intermodal
•Q017 Intermodal
•Q019 Intermodal
•Q113 Intermodal
•Q015 Intermodal
•Q137 Intermodal
•Q149 Intermodal
•Q161 Intermodal
•Q163 Intermodal
•Q167 Intermodal
•Q171 Intermodal
•Q175 Intermodal
•Q351 Manifest
•Q369 Manifest
•Q387 Manifest
•Q389 Manifest
•Q391 Manifest
•Q393 Manifest
•V670 Grain

WESTBOUND to SOUTH
•Q133 Intermodal
•Q241 Manifest
•Q339 Manifest
•Q365 Manifest
•Q501 Manifest

NORTHBOUND
•K209 Coke
•Q272
•Q506 Manifest
•Q512 Manifest
•Q517 Manifest
NORTHBOUND to EAST
•Q134 Intermodal
•Q342 Manifest

NORTHBOUND to WEST

SOUTHBOUND
•D743 Local
•G158 Grain
•K185 Taconite
•Q231 Autoracks
•Q243 Manifest
•Q507 Manifest
•Q509 Manifest
•X551

SOUTHBOUND to WEST
•L395 Manifest