Napoleon, Defiance and Western: The Definitive Thread

[bluestreak81]

My two-cents is that the proposed crossings slated to be closed will not happen.

[midland sub]

So educate us why you feel this way other than some random blanket statement just to make a statement.

[MSchwiebert]

Pioneer would be crazy not to take the money. Given the current customer "activity" east of Napoleon (and factor in car storage if you like) most of us would be pushing daises before earning the same amount of money on customer activity. I'm sure that the agreement between Pioneer is written that if a new customer were to materialize, service could be restored if need be (and while we're talking "pie-in the sky" - the right of way for the high speed passenger trains to the DT&I at LC would be preserved).

My two-cents is that the proposed crossings slated to be closed will not happen.

[Joshua Niederkohr]

How's the condition, still crap.

[bluestreak81]

Transfer station coming to Napoleon.

http://www.crescent-news.com/business/l ... 39a65.html

[AARR]

That's a good question. I read they've put a lot of good money into the track and yet hear that derailments are frequent. That doesn't make sense. My hunch is that derailments are down. Keep in mind this railroad can get by just fine on 10mph track conditions. They don't need to go any faster.

How's the condition, still crap.

[JoJames]

Track conditions are much better. Until they get some clean ballast under the ties for drainage derailments will continue.

[MSchwiebert]

That and more heavy (heavier than 80 lb) rail. I'd guess it makes more sense to get the subgrade stabilized before going all in on say 115 lb rail though.

Track conditions are much better. Until they get some clean ballast under the ties for drainage derailments will continue.

[OSRR]

My understanding of the situation. The entire lines needs ballast. Once a good bed of ballast is down, then the new ties and rail can be raised and leveled. I'd say new rail would follow after that.

[MQT1223]

My understanding of the situation. The entire lines needs ballast. Once a good bed of ballast is down, then the new ties and rail can be raised and leveled. I'd say new rail would follow after that.

This might sound a stupid question, but where did all the ballast go anyway? Sunk in the mud like the rest of the railroad?

[bluestreak81]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't some railroads in NW Ohio not use ballast or not very much ballast when originally built? The Cloverleaf, not far away from Napoleon, I believe I heard did not use much ballast when built either. Although I can't find any data to prove this theory.

[JoJames]

Huge difference from the weight of railroad cars during the Cloverleaf era to today. Also part of the problem is nothing has been done for years with the drainage ditches along the railroad to remove the water from the property.

[60Tonner]

Good share of the Cloverleaf was built on cinders.

[MQT1223]

Huge difference from the weight of railroad cars during the Cloverleaf era to today. Also part of the problem is nothing has been done for years with the drainage ditches along the railroad to remove the water from the property.

Have any of the drainage issues been addressed? Efforts to fix the issues with the grade are futile if you don't combat the water problem.

[jrgerber]

From the March 16 2016 ORDC minutes:

Commissioner Greenlese reported on the topic discussed at the joint committee meeting. He explained the committee reviewed an ORDC proposed offer of $2.5 million to Pioneer Railcorp
to close the US 24/US 6 rail crossing, plus 6 other rail crossings to the east into Liberty Center. The exempt status of the US 24 crossing has led to significant collisions in the past and present an estimated $800,000 safety project at that crossing alone. The $2.5 million will be used to remove the rail at the 7 crossings, asphalt the roadways, and improve railroad operations in Defiance and Jewell, Ohio to make up for their 4.5 miles in lost capacity. Commissioner Greenlese announced the committee fully supports this direction of the ORDC and moves the Commissioners support the safety improvements. Commissioner Maphet seconded motion. Nathan Johns from the ND&W from the railroad announced the railroad realizes vacating the eastern portion of the line starting at the US 24/US 6 crossing is in the best interest of the railroad.
Roll Call was taken and the motion was approved as presented with 8 votes in the affirmative.

Also mentions that Pioneer is going to try to re-do a TIGER grant application? Any idea on what that project is?

[jimnorthwood]

This, perhaps? http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Ra ... TIGER.aspx

[jrgerber]

Thanks I hope the TIGER grant is approved.

[MSchwiebert]

3 CSX gons parked in Liberty Center yesterday when I passed through. Didn't have time to see if they had been unloaded yet or not, but at least there'll be one more trip east of the 6/24 bypass to get the cars.

[bluestreak81]

Nice. Any chance for one last picture for the road?

[jrgerber]

Seems more appropriate here than on the Illinois board. I was a stockholder and sold prior to the company going private.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/s ... ce=prhome1