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ND&W runs M-F, maybe the occasional Saturday. I've seen them start at Defiance around 8:00 a.m. Easy to find and follow, as the line runs parallel to U.S. 24 and train speeds are low.

The ND&W will also frequently leave power in Napoleon, either parking it on the "main" behind Advance Drainage (ADS) or the two cold storage facilities (Cloverleaf & farmers Produce) immediately to the east of ADS, or on the leads to those facilities. My guess is that there's been vandalism issues from when they parked in more accessible areas.

I've seen the same, re parking power in those areas. High $$$ and low priority but I wonder if ND&W will build some sort of engine facility, along the lines (pole barn shed, essentially) of what LCRC/ADBF built and still uses in Adrian. This would also make it easier to do maintenance during the colder months. For the reason you noted, Defiance might not be the best location for such a facility. Maybe some year, after they have gotten their right of way issues (drainage, some new rail, etc) in order.

I'd think they'd have room on the transload property in Napoleon, but Defiance would be more centrally located. Speaking of Defiance, they have done some of the earth moving work & putting down a good gravel sub-base for the new yard tracks in the yard, but one can tell it's been a "weather permitting" type of project so far.

jimnorthwood wrote:I've seen the same, re parking power in those areas. High $$$ and low priority but I wonder if ND&W will build some sort of engine facility, along the lines (pole barn shed, essentially) of what LCRC/ADBF built and still uses in Adrian. This would also make it easier to do maintenance during the colder months. For the reason you noted, Defiance might not be the best location for such a facility. Maybe some year, after they have gotten their right of way issues (drainage, some new rail, etc) in order.

Pioneer has filed an exemption with the STB to abandon the Alabama RR which I believe has 90 pound rail. They may be reusing some ties and rail for the ND&W. Earlier they sold the Shawnee Terminal in Cairo IL and I expect some time this year they will abandon the Miss Central which also has 90 pound rail. Again they may reuse ties and rail for the ND&W.

jrgerber wrote:Pioneer has filed an exemption with the STB to abandon the Alabama RR which I believe has 90 pound rail. They may be reusing some ties and rail for the ND&W. Earlier they sold the Shawnee Terminal in Cairo IL and I expect some time this year they will abandon the Miss Central which also has 90 pound rail. Again they may reuse ties and rail for the ND&W.

Neither of those short lines appear to have seen any kind of life extending work.
I think it's doubtful that there are enough solid ties and good rail to relocate.
Get the scrap value out and into their bank account seems likely to me.

[quote}Neither of those short lines appear to have seen any kind of life extending work.
I think it's doubtful that there are enough solid ties and good rail to relocate.
Get the scrap value out and into their bank account seems likely to me.[/quote]

So how do you know the rail isn't any good? Anything is better than what they have now. Ken.

h2466 wrote: So how do you know the rail isn't any good? Anything is better than what they have now. Ken.

I used google aerial and streetview and other pictures to view their trackage.
I saw nothing to indicate that what is in place was anywhere near recent. The same issue the ND&W has.
My opinion is that what those 2 lines have in place is not better than what is currently in place on ND&W.
The Alabama has seen no traffic for 2 years.

I read the filing. Pioneer indicates they may salvage ties. I saw lots of crap ties.
They also indicated they may salvage rail. That's more likely but I disagree that it's better than what is on the ND&W.
I guess we may find out by the end of summer.

The ND&W needs ballast and surfacing but I doubt their ties are up to it. Good rail on a bad roadbed is a poor use of money.
At least in my opinion.

I just witnessed up close on Tuesday the ND&W running east from Cecil toward Defiance. They were chugging along at 5 mph tops, and still wobbling like crazy. The debris and vegetation is not near as bad as the previous owner. Crossings are in better shape. There is only so much that can be done with a roadbed that has been neglected for so long, and more crap ties than marginal ties.

Pioneer Railcorp is being acquired by BRX Transportation Holdings

Little oops east of Woodburn, In. They've been working to fix it for a week and a half.

A pure Santa Fe GP20u is headed to Defiance today from Garrett on the local. Will it be replacing the Gettysburg Geep?

OldBastard wrote:A pure Santa Fe GP20u is headed to Defiance today from Garrett on the local. Will it be replacing the Gettysburg Geep?

Do you have a locomotive number? I wonder if this is the one that left Monon?

NS3322 wrote:

OldBastard wrote:A pure Santa Fe GP20u is headed to Defiance today from Garrett on the local. Will it be replacing the Gettysburg Geep?

Do you have a locomotive number? I wonder if this is the one that left Monon?

Indeed it is. 3001.

Photo our friend Notch 8 very nice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOOO4yHjNC8

Appears some work as been done.

Thank you for posting. That is a very nice video.

OSRR wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOOO4yHjNC8

Appears some work as been done.

OSRR wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOOO4yHjNC8

Appears some work as been done.

Some work? Some serious work!

The ND&W is certainly working to provide reliable service to its' customers.

I do miss reading the daily MAW derailment reports

Just curious whether any new rehab work is being done or how traffic is these days.

A few more recent videos, thanks to those who shot these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYZ16b-ii-E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7EyypuQQvI