GDLK Operations

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1TrackMind
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by 1TrackMind »

It appears MSO is now getting cottonseed in boxcars.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Saw this the other day in White Piegon, had 1 green car with movable tarp and 3 box cars which seem odd. Then I saw one was open and there was a skid-steer inside dumping the cottonseed out. There was a lot of waste on the ground vs. going in the end of the green car which have clam shell doors on the end. I don't know how these cars are loaded at the source? Would they have a hatch on the roof? They look like an 80 foot plug boxcar from the road.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Also that siding is full of log cars and cottenseed cars that there is no more room. MSO has a lot more switching to do as these cars have to be shuffled frequently. Last I knew they worked M-W-F.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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4th stone train scheduled for next week I'm told. Stay tuned.

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~Z~
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Re: GDLK Operations

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dave989 wrote:The crossing replacement on Madison is done and today I see MOW work crew at the Steelcase complex hacking away.
Back in the Steelcase area in Grand Rapids, here's some MOW equipment on the tracks. Line is still severed just west of 36th/Eastern Ave. Must have just loaded onto the rail via truck.
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Back behind L&W Supply, 2 centerbeams spotted, CSXT 600925 fully loaded, TTZX 85544 partially unloaded.
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Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

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NS track crews have finished work in the local yard at Elkhart. With the downsizing of Bellevue Ohios yard and mothballing one hump now and a 2nd one later there, will this put more pressure on the Elk to keep their cars moving up to Kalamazoo. Right now there has been light engine moves on Sundays to keep cars coming out of the yard and moving north. It will be interesting to see how this pans out for Elkharts hump activity.

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MQT1223
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by MQT1223 »

~Z~ wrote:
dave989 wrote:The crossing replacement on Madison is done and today I see MOW work crew at the Steelcase complex hacking away.
Back in the Steelcase area in Grand Rapids, here's some MOW equipment on the tracks. Line is still severed just west of 36th/Eastern Ave. Must have just loaded onto the rail via truck.
Image

Back behind L&W Supply, 2 centerbeams spotted, CSXT 600925 fully loaded, TTZX 85544 partially unloaded.
The crossing back there (the one with signs only) is being replaced in preparation for a new transload facility set to come in next year or so. The other private crossing (with signals) is going to be removed soon.
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Super Chief wrote:NS track crews have finished work in the local yard at Elkhart. With the downsizing of Bellevue Ohios yard and mothballing one hump now and a 2nd one later there, will this put more pressure on the Elk to keep their cars moving up to Kalamazoo. Right now there has been light engine moves on Sundays to keep cars coming out of the yard and moving north. It will be interesting to see how this pans out for Elkharts hump activity.

Why did NS downgrade Bellevue? I thought that had just spent a bunch of money upgrading Bellevue within the last few years and now they downgrade it?

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

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If you want a real eye opener go to www.thelayoff.com to see how NS has implemented strategies for the rest of the year to right-size the company. From humps to motive power and manpower reductions it is confirmed by nearby terminals forces daily.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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For the sake of preserving this thread I'm not going to comment further on NS. If it affects the Elks operations or the Michigan Line then yes I will let you know how.

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justalurker66
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Something should probably be posted in the Ohio forum.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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Trackwork on the Kalamazoo branch has made 501 an unpredictable animal the last 2 weeks. Being fall I'm sure the new crossings are going in after the road train passes thru in the early morning. Three Rivers and Constantine have new ones laying along side the ROW now.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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Busy pre labor day on the Elk today. Had the road train back and forth, also 501 was working, the 2204 had an Amtrak ballast car work train south of Three Rivers and the stone train just came north with NS 1826 & 4196. Wind carrying limestone dust to the east as it went by.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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Todays stone train met 302 at Cowling and 501 at Park all at once, so 3 trains in the plant at the same time. Also 12 Amtrak gondolas on the old main in Three Rivers yard at the end of track at Broadway Street. First time I've seen that in years where they were parked all the way to the end of the track.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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Looks like the new company that bought Pioneer is purging some assets. MSO 907 is on the outbound track at 131 for 501 to pick-up tomorrow. That'll only leave 1616 in White Piegon to switch. Not surprising as all Pioneer terminals were told to start cleaning up properties of anything of value. They parked the Fs in Illinois so wonder if Elkhart & Western will be loosing a unit too?

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NS3322
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Super Chief wrote:Looks like the new company that bought Pioneer is purging some assets. MSO 907 is on the outbound track at 131 for 501 to pick-up tomorrow. That'll only leave 1616 in White Piegon to switch. Not surprising as all Pioneer terminals were told to start cleaning up properties of anything of value. They parked the Fs in Illinois so wonder if Elkhart & Western will be loosing a unit too?
Thanks for the update.

(Warning: I am going a little off-topic).

Sad to see that the last "Michigan Southern" lettered unit will be leaving. I am grateful to have been able to chase the 907 in Sturgis last fall.

Update: A source has told me that MSO will be getting new power. Likely a lessor(s).
Second Update: Another source has told me that it will be new the power for the Kendallville Terminal, sadly replacing former Ludington and Northern #16 (which is in poor mechanical shape) .
Last edited by NS3322 on Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:39 pm, edited 9 times in total.

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SD80MAC
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Re: GDLK Operations

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Where is the Elkhart & Western Monon division?
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NS3322
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Re: GDLK Operations

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SD80MAC wrote:Where is the Elkhart & Western Monon division?
It runs from Monon, Indiana to Monticello, Indiana (about 9 miles). Monticello Farm Services is the lone customer. Power is one former ATSF GP20. Pioneer picked this line up from CSX last year (it is not even listed on the website).

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Between 2 NS grain trains and 2 NS stone trains this week I thought NS had taken the line back. Been very busy with 501 & 302 threading there way south around them and maintenance windows for crossing replacments.

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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by GAP »

Do the stone trains run with any kind of predictability? I know there is no such thing as a "schedule" but are there any certain days or times that are more likely? Or is it totally random?

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