GDLK Operations

Anything pertaining to railfanning in Michigan.
Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Amtrak gondolas headed north out of Kalamazoo on 303 yesterday.

PatAzo
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by PatAzo »

1TrackMind wrote:They are looking at transloading propane in Kalamazoo
They did a test unload in Kalamazoo at Gerhart. It would be a temporary arrangement until the receiver can built their own site. They also want to store loaded cars and need a secure facility. The Elk has been offering transload capabilities in Kalamazoo as the site in G.R. is often full up.

The Elk has been running light to Elkhart on Sunday. NS is pressing them to pick up from Elkhart seven days a week.

1TrackMind
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by 1TrackMind »

PatAzo wrote:
1TrackMind wrote:They are looking at transloading propane in Kalamazoo
They did a test unload in Kalamazoo at Gerhart. It would be a temporary arrangement until the receiver can built their own site. They also want to store loaded cars and need a secure facility. The Elk has been offering transload capabilities in Kalamazoo as the site in G.R. is often full up.

The Elk has been running light to Elkhart on Sunday. NS is pressing them to pick up from Elkhart seven days a week.
Test load was in GR not Kalamazoo.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Stone trains suppose to start now the 23rd of this month, so stay tuned.

GTW
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by GTW »

Here we go again !

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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Busy day on the Elk. Both locals met at Cowling today at 3. 2204 & 3534 were northbound with last nights train, 4009 & 4017 were southbound with todays train. 302 left Elkhart at the same time with 30 cars northbound. Stone train has been called for Rich Valley at 5pm for Kalamazoo. Will see how far it gets tonight on its journey to Claypool, Elkhart and all points north. Will NS put any available power on it or 1212 & 1214 that went into storage after the South Bend trains were finished?

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~Z~
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by ~Z~ »

Contractor at 32nd and Madison St in Grand Rapids, looks to be replacing the rail at the Madison St crossing. New panel track was sitting next to the tracks, MOW hi-railer parked there.
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Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

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NS 7416 & 4196, 76 cars but hasn't left Rich Valley yet. Probably won't be on the Elk till tomorrow am.

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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Stone train in Elkhart. Crew left Gearhart around 6:30 in pickup to go get it. Extra crew called for 302. Good day as Paul Harvey would say.

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Re: GDLK Operations

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700 crew is road train, 302 is stone train.

dave989
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Re: GDLK Operations

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~Z~ wrote:Contractor at 32nd and Madison St in Grand Rapids, looks to be replacing the rail at the Madison St crossing. New panel track was sitting next to the tracks, MOW hi-railer parked there.
The MOW crew were out at the same lacation today. The panel track was about finished but I'm wondering if some of the other crossings on the branch will be replaced?

NSSD70ACe
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by NSSD70ACe »

Stone train is in Kalamazoo as of 1940. 4196 and 7316 for power. Visible from E. Michigan Ave.
:roll:

the contents of the above post are my opinion and mine alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

GTW
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by GTW »

Anyone have information on the turn around time for the first empty Stone Train out of Kalamazoo.

Thanks.

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MQT1223
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by MQT1223 »

dave989 wrote:
~Z~ wrote:Contractor at 32nd and Madison St in Grand Rapids, looks to be replacing the rail at the Madison St crossing. New panel track was sitting next to the tracks, MOW hi-railer parked there.
The MOW crew were out at the same lacation today. The panel track was about finished but I'm wondering if some of the other crossings on the branch will be replaced?
Madison St is the only crossing on the Hastings Lead to be replaced this year. 54th St next to the Walmart on the GDLK Mainline is also scheduled to be replaced this year.

It sounds like Eastern Ave on the Lead is also being discussed for resurfacing, despite not being on the active part of the branch.
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dave989
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by dave989 »

Having to go thru that area daily, I hope the Elk fixes the crossings around Eastern and 36th St.

Raildudes dad
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Raildudes dad »

My guess is the MDOT rail inspector initiated action to get an order to repair.

David Lang
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by David Lang »

Stone Train is gone already.

Just drove by around 3:30pm today and a few stone piles on the property now.

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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Per agreement with shipper at Rich Valley, train has to be unloaded and returned in 48 hours. Only reason I've heard that the South Bend trains are temporarily annulled is shipper couldn't keep up loading them. So does anybody know how many Balkema needs this summer in Kalamazoo?

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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Raildudes dad »

The Brinks sand transload did not have 1 car in it last night. That's very rare.

Super Chief
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Re: GDLK Operations

Unread post by Super Chief »

Elk is hauling sizeable trains of coil cars last 2 days. Most are the covered style. I almost thought they had the JAIL traffic back?

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