New Buffalo MI Railfanning Action

[RoyalKingoftheRails]

I'm doing a trip to New Buffalo MI within the next few weeks, how much action does CSX and the Amtrak Michigan Line (NS Locals) get? I know not all of the CSX trains on the GR Sub run that far south, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what I can expect. If someone could help me out that would be awesome.

[NickThatRailfan]

I'm doing a trip to New Buffalo MI within the next few weeks, how much action does CSX and the Amtrak Michigan Line (NS Locals) get? I know not all of the CSX trains on the GR Sub run that far south, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what I can expect. If someone could help me out that would be awesome.

Well James, you have CSX M326 and M327 that run but they dont stick to a daily schedule so you'll have to figure out a day they both run. Usually CSX run's 2 coal drags through there a day. Amtrak 370 and 371 also travel down the CSX. (370 is mornings and 371 is nights) for AML wise you have one NS local (B05 I belive) he dosent run a daily schedule he only runs a couple days a week but heads north and back south after the trip up there. The AML also see's 8 Amtrak trains per day. You cant view all the action in one spot but the CSX has a really good spot with an old coal tower the tracks pass under (I belive its a coal tower) New Buffalo usually see's 12-16 trains a day just depends.

[David Collins]

I'm doing a trip to New Buffalo MI within the next few weeks, how much action does CSX and the Amtrak Michigan Line (NS Locals) get? I know not all of the CSX trains on the GR Sub run that far south, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what I can expect. If someone could help me out that would be awesome.

Well James, you have CSX M326 and M327 that run but they dont stick to a daily schedule so you'll have to figure out a day they both run. Usually CSX run's 2 coal drags through there a day. Amtrak 370 and 371 also travel down the CSX. (370 is mornings and 371 is nights) for AML wise you have one NS local (B05 I belive) he dosent run a daily schedule he only runs a couple days a week but heads north and back south after the trip up there. The AML also see's 8 Amtrak trains per day. You cant view all the action in one spot but the CSX has a really good spot with an old coal tower the tracks pass under (I belive its a coal tower) New Buffalo usually see's 12-16 trains a day just depends.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

371 is in the morning. 370 is at night.

The Grand Rapids subdivision does NOT see 12-16 trains a day.

326/327’s schedules are posted regularly here, so you won’t have to figure out when they run.

Please get better sources.

[bluewonderrails]

https://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... 64#p540864

^ original post citing M326 + M327's new operating schedules. For a quickie here, same-day travels for both are Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays

L301 still Monday-Friday mid-late afternoons. Varies how long they could work before returning to GR. I don't know much on general time frames if there could be such a thing

On whims, could see a loaded and/or empty coal. Best for sure to keep up on CSX updates thread for those should luck of the day favor you

Amtrak's Pere Marquette (P370 + P371) only 'pass through' New Buffalo on separate tracks, as the tracks to the station there are for the Blue Water (P364 + P365) and Wolverine (P350, P352, P354 + P351, P353, P355). I'm not 100% certain if all 6 movements occur. Probably/possibly after you'd already be there (depending when you decide), I do know is the early part of May, 350 + 353 will be reduced to weekends only for track work > https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/03/amtr ... rades.html

[SD80MAC]

You will not see L301 at New Buffalo, as they only go as far as Sawyer.

[Saturnalia]

I'm doing a trip to New Buffalo MI within the next few weeks, how much action does CSX and the Amtrak Michigan Line (NS Locals) get? I know not all of the CSX trains on the GR Sub run that far south, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what I can expect. If someone could help me out that would be awesome.

Well James, you have CSX M326 and M327 that run but they dont stick to a daily schedule so you'll have to figure out a day they both run. Usually CSX run's 2 coal drags through there a day. Amtrak 370 and 371 also travel down the CSX. (370 is mornings and 371 is nights) for AML wise you have one NS local (B05 I belive) he dosent run a daily schedule he only runs a couple days a week but heads north and back south after the trip up there. The AML also see's 8 Amtrak trains per day. You cant view all the action in one spot but the CSX has a really good spot with an old coal tower the tracks pass under (I belive its a coal tower) New Buffalo usually see's 12-16 trains a day just depends.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Please get better sources.

He only swapped 370/371 around, big whoop. He's quoting 12-16 trains total for all of New Buffalo, not for just the CSX.

Please read for comprehension before jumping on people.

[David Collins]

Well James, you have CSX M326 and M327 that run but they dont stick to a daily schedule so you'll have to figure out a day they both run. Usually CSX run's 2 coal drags through there a day. Amtrak 370 and 371 also travel down the CSX. (370 is mornings and 371 is nights) for AML wise you have one NS local (B05 I belive) he dosent run a daily schedule he only runs a couple days a week but heads north and back south after the trip up there. The AML also see's 8 Amtrak trains per day. You cant view all the action in one spot but the CSX has a really good spot with an old coal tower the tracks pass under (I belive its a coal tower) New Buffalo usually see's 12-16 trains a day just depends.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Please get better sources.

He only swapped 370/371 around, big whoop. He's quoting 12-16 trains total for all of New Buffalo, not for just the CSX.

Please read for comprehension before jumping on people.

Oh crap, my mistake. I read his 12-16 trains a day comment as 12-16 trains under that coaling tower a day.

[bluewonderrails]

You will not see L301 at New Buffalo, as they only go as far as Sawyer.

Thank you for the info. Thought Sawyer was further than that for whatever reason

[NickThatRailfan]

Well James, you have CSX M326 and M327 that run but they dont stick to a daily schedule so you'll have to figure out a day they both run. Usually CSX run's 2 coal drags through there a day. Amtrak 370 and 371 also travel down the CSX. (370 is mornings and 371 is nights) for AML wise you have one NS local (B05 I belive) he dosent run a daily schedule he only runs a couple days a week but heads north and back south after the trip up there. The AML also see's 8 Amtrak trains per day. You cant view all the action in one spot but the CSX has a really good spot with an old coal tower the tracks pass under (I belive its a coal tower) New Buffalo usually see's 12-16 trains a day just depends.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Please get better sources.

He only swapped 370/371 around, big whoop. He's quoting 12-16 trains total for all of New Buffalo, not for just the CSX.

Please read for comprehension before jumping on people.

Thanks lol, I was wondering what he did that for. Does everything I say look correct? 12-16 may be a little much but I think thats about correct from everything I have seen.

[SD80MAC]

Well, go down the list:

On CSX, you'd have...
P370
P371
M326 (on days it runs)
M327 (on days it runs)
C800/801 (random)
E800/801 (random)

On Amtrak...
350
351
352
353
354
355
364
365
B05 (on days it runs)

[RoyalKingoftheRails]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I did do some research before I posted this and I figured pretty of what you guys said would be what my initial thought was. So thank you to everyone that helped me confirm what does run. I look forward to checking out the location.