GDLK Operations

Anything pertaining to railfanning in Michigan.
PatAzo
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by PatAzo »

Super Chief wrote:The new VP of ops at NS, a Hunter Harrison fan no less is starting parts of Precision Schedule Railroading next year
Shippers are already howling to the SBT and their legislators about UP's plans. But if your are a V.P. of Ops and the share holders are pushing for improved returns the benefits are hard to ignore.

PatAzo
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by PatAzo »

GDLK 13 ready to move to it's new home.

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Saturnalia
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Saturnalia »

PatAzo wrote:
Super Chief wrote:The new VP of ops at NS, a Hunter Harrison fan no less is starting parts of Precision Schedule Railroading next year
Shippers are already howling to the SBT and their legislators about UP's plans. But if your are a V.P. of Ops and the share holders are pushing for improved returns the benefits are hard to ignore.
There actually have been remarkably few complaints about UP’s changes.

The STB has recently asked the railroads for more info on demurrage but otherwise NS and UP haven’t been doing it Harrison-style.
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PatAzo
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by PatAzo »

Saturnalia wrote:
PatAzo wrote:
Super Chief wrote:The new VP of ops at NS, a Hunter Harrison fan no less is starting parts of Precision Schedule Railroading next year
Shippers are already howling to the SBT and their legislators about UP's plans. But if your are a V.P. of Ops and the share holders are pushing for improved returns the benefits are hard to ignore.
There actually have been remarkably few complaints about UP’s changes.

The STB has recently asked the railroads for more info on demurrage but otherwise NS and UP haven’t been doing it Harrison-style.
The phrase Precision Scheduled Railroad brings visions of the Hunter Harrison bull in a china shop style. Couple it with U.P.'s history of autocratic management and shippers have been expressing concerns for the future (not the present). The STB was in contact with U.P. in September expressing their concerns for the servie disruptions CSX experienced with PSR and asking for weekly update calls as the new operating plan was implimented.

GAP
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by GAP »

Saw my in-laws from Three Rivers today and asked if he knew what was happening on the south side of Three Rivers where excavating was taking place near where all the ties are piled up. He said he read somewhere that it was to be a railroad warehouse to store ties, track and related items. He is not a railfan so take it with a grain of salt, but that property is where the old airline turned east toward Jackson so it was railroad property at one time. Maybe still is.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

My source says the property where the ties are is leased for 15 years at $15,000 a year. There have been slabs poured on the grounds by Lutz Concrete. Thats all I know on it.

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Saturnalia
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Re: GDLK Operations

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PatAzo wrote:
Saturnalia wrote:
PatAzo wrote:
Shippers are already howling to the SBT and their legislators about UP's plans. But if your are a V.P. of Ops and the share holders are pushing for improved returns the benefits are hard to ignore.
There actually have been remarkably few complaints about UP’s changes.

The STB has recently asked the railroads for more info on demurrage but otherwise NS and UP haven’t been doing it Harrison-style.
The phrase Precision Scheduled Railroad brings visions of the Hunter Harrison bull in a china shop style. Couple it with U.P.'s history of autocratic management and shippers have been expressing concerns for the future (not the present). The STB was in contact with U.P. in September expressing their concerns for the servie disruptions CSX experienced with PSR and asking for weekly update calls as the new operating plan was implimented.
The STB is obviously watching and monitoring, but neither NS nor UP have drawn any specific criticism. In fact the STB appears to be more concerned about higher demurrage charges. Some shippers have been complaining that they can’t just sit on equipment as long as they please, and that the railroads have realized that they shouldn’t just store stuff for free.
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justalurker66
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by justalurker66 »

Saturnalia wrote:Some shippers have been complaining that they can’t just sit on equipment as long as they please, and that the railroads have realized that they shouldn’t just store stuff for free.
It is called rolling stock, not parking stock. Shippers shouldn't be using train cars as warehouse space. Train cars are intended to be used for transportation. Load, release, transport, deliver, unload then either reload or release to the railroad to be used by another customer. If the shippers want to own or lease cars for storage (or dedicated use) that is fine - but they need to pay for the service. If a shipper does not have room on their property to store all of their cars not in transit then they should expect to pay a storage fee.

The agreements need to be fair to both shippers and the railroads. Some precision is not a bad thing.

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Ben Higdon
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Ben Higdon »

justalurker66 wrote:
Saturnalia wrote:Some shippers have been complaining that they can’t just sit on equipment as long as they please, and that the railroads have realized that they shouldn’t just store stuff for free.
It is called rolling stock, not parking stock. Shippers shouldn't be using train cars as warehouse space. Train cars are intended to be used for transportation. Load, release, transport, deliver, unload then either reload or release to the railroad to be used by another customer. If the shippers want to own or lease cars for storage (or dedicated use) that is fine - but they need to pay for the service. If a shipper does not have room on their property to store all of their cars not in transit then they should expect to pay a storage fee.

The agreements need to be fair to both shippers and the railroads. Some precision is not a bad thing.
High demurrage charges would be more understandable after the railroad demonstrates the ability to provide dependable and regular delivery. Its not reasonable to expect a fast customer turnaround when the delivery date (or week) is unpredictable and subject to multiple carloads being bunched together rather than delivered on a more daily basis. High demurrage is also ironic considering the apparently ever increasing disregard for moving loose carload traffic quickly while in transit.

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NS3322
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by NS3322 »

Grand Elk was idling by Solvay/Allnex on Miller Road around 12:45.
#3531, long hood forward, was the only power.
Is this train #105?

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1TrackMind
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Re: GDLK Operations

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NS3322 wrote: Is this train #105?
yes

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SD80MAC
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by SD80MAC »

Interesting to see that they've been gradually repainting the cab roofs white on all of the Grand Elk power.
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NS3322
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by NS3322 »

SD80MAC wrote:Interesting to see that they've been gradually repainting the cab roofs white on all of the Grand Elk power.
Is there a reason for this?

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

WWMT reporting train derailment in Kalamazoo tonight at Bells Brewery. Happened at 10:30pm. The curve takes out another one. Looks like cars tipped into Ferguson Plumbings building again. Watco is not going to be pleased on the reoccurring accidents at the same location. Something needs to be addressed with crews train handling and train make-up. Eight cars off track per witness who said they stopped and started up again. If they're doubling as usual the rear end brakes are not releasing or weight distribution may be the culprit.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

RJCORMAN working the wreck. Don't understand wht they aren't dragging (pun) the rear of the train back into yard? Watco has 28 railroads and the Elk is near the bottom on safety. They may hear the wrath of city leaders on this again. Guess they won't have to worry about getting cars out of Elkhart as getting them out of Kazoo seems to be harder. The pics show the light weight covered hoppers tipped over again. Since the last one this summer I've noticed the Omni Source scrap cars are still on the rear and they are loaded? There's going to be another meeting for sure. Another thing these moves at that hour normally go to Cowling to sit. The thought is it makes the morning commute better for autos and get the trains out of Dodge during light traffic hours. However the entertainment district on the east side is busy on Friday nites.
Last edited by Super Chief on Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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AARR
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by AARR »

FWIW this is a late model GP35. The earlier models had a very noticeable dip below the walk way right behind the cab.
NS3322 wrote:Grand Elk was idling by Solvay/Allnex on Miller Road around 12:45.
#3531, long hood forward, was the only power.
Is this train #105?

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Jim_c
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Jim_c »

Seems to me that the derailment issues could be solved by building a NB connector by the BO Tower to the LS&MS, and then cutting over to the GR&I somewhere north. There's an old factory just north of there that looks pretty decrepit, and could be removed. There's also a lot of open space around the old Checker facility on N. Pitcher St. My sympathy for the situation in Kalamazoo is limited. A number of years ago they had the opportunity to fix this, but they turned down the millage.
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SD80MAC
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by SD80MAC »

NS3322 wrote:
SD80MAC wrote:Interesting to see that they've been gradually repainting the cab roofs white on all of the Grand Elk power.
Is there a reason for this?
Same reason you see school buses with white roofs, along with CSX engines and certain other railroad's power as well. White paint reflects the sun light and keeps the cab slightly cooler compared to black paint. Not sure it makes a ton of difference, but that's the theory behind it anyway.
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AARR
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by AARR »

Sometimes the engines top of the lowered short hood (nose) is painted black because in theory it absorbs the sunlight and reduces glare
SD80MAC wrote:
NS3322 wrote:
SD80MAC wrote:Interesting to see that they've been gradually repainting the cab roofs white on all of the Grand Elk power.
Is there a reason for this?
Same reason you see school buses with white roofs, along with CSX engines and certain other railroad's power as well. White paint reflects the sun light and keeps the cab slightly cooler compared to black paint. Not sure it makes a ton of difference, but that's the theory behind it anyway.
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...

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NS3322
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by NS3322 »

SD80MAC wrote:Same reason you see school buses with white roofs, along with CSX engines and certain other railroad's power as well. White paint reflects the sun light and keeps the cab slightly cooler compared to black paint. Not sure it makes a ton of difference, but that's the theory behind it anyway.
AARR wrote:Sometimes the engines top of the lowered short hood (nose) is painted black because in theory it absorbs the sunlight and reduces glare.
My assumptions were all correct! Thanks for explaining that!

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