C&O/Chessie System Part #2

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From C&O Historical Newsletter for August of 1981.
by way of Carl W. Shaver, (associate editor), in the Motive Power News & Car Department.

B&O GP40-2's 4422-4447, are out, and as seems to be traditional, are receving their shakedown runs, on the Michigan Division.

As of late June, the entire wreck train in Grand Rapids, was re numbered, into the new 900000 series. It had not receved the green paint, and was just renumbered, over the old.

Steem hook (250-ton), DK-8, is now 940001.
Boom car WK-88, is now 940055.
Kitchen car, (ex-K104), is now 940201.
One of the bunk cars, (ex-B603) is now 940251.
Water tender, WK-103, is 940351.

In New Buffalo, the bunk car X67 (a old 12000 box car), was seen with new number 911002. In East Saugatuck, C&O 913401, the ex-C&O 37478, a 40-foot high-side car, had been seen in May.

Caboose Notes

C&O 3143, was repainted in early June, in Grand Rapids, it is one of the Michigan Division's safety cabs. The ends now are yellow, instead of silver, with white appliances. (info by way of Jim Lindholm, of Grand Rapids). The shops in Grand Rapids, are doing the rebuilding of the 90200 and 90300 series cabs.

Current news on the C&O


Abandonments

From James Lindholm, George Arnott, and Traffic World, Dec. 1, 1980, May 4 and 25, 1981 Contributed by H. L. Buckley.

The ICC review board, decided on April 14, to allow abandonment of the entire Remus Sub. 15.89 miles, between Edmore and Remus, Mi. The board said that the only customer, on the line, Farm Bureau Services, failed to "Identify overall impact of abandonment on its business". Also the board, gave notice of approval by way of administrative law judge, oon May 14, of the abandonment of the South Haven Sub, a distance of 14.29 miles, from near Hartford, and South Haven. This also includes, the non-agency station at Covert, and open agency stations, at Cableton and South Haven, all served from the traveling aget from Watervliet.

The railroad also gave notice of intent to abandon the Ionia Sub, from MP 00.07, near Grand Ledge, and Ionia, a distance of 26023 miles. It includes stations of Eagle, Portland, and Ionia, served from the Lowell traveling agent.

Hart in Oceana County, Mi, where the largest employer, is Silver Mill, a fruit processor and shipper, closed due to bankruptcy. The line had been petitioned long before the Mill closed. In 1979, the railroad made only Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday runs to Hart, when needed. Altough the railroad, must keep intact all of the underlaying track, and right-of-way, so anyone intrested, (state or local goverments) can negotiate the acquisition for public use fo the properties.

Also of note the Fremont Sub. 19.6 miles, is back up again. In order to counter act this, Gerber Products, is going to lease 50 boxcars, and guarantee to ship more by rail.

north Horn Spur, near Muskegon is now abandoned. It was 1.01 miles in length.


It appears that wrecking equipment, is going into the 940000 series. The 910000 series, looks to be for tool cars. The bunk cars, & troop cars, look to be going into the 91100. Bunk cars that are former passenger cars are getting 911200 series. And the new mobile home on flatcar, bunk cars, are 911600. Flat cars are getting 912000. Gondoolas of various types, are in the 913000 series. Some older PT-series (panel-track) gons, are getting the 9134000 series. The re numbered equipment, is called on to get a fresh coat of green paint, and yellow markings.



More beans

Rail movement has been successful for beans between Michigan to Mexico, when started last Setember, will continue again, this year. Almost 93,000 net tons will move in 1,550 carloads, from off the C&O, and seven other railroads, starting about August 15th. Stables of the Mexican diet, Black turtle and pinto beans, will ship from points on the C&O, and four others. Saginaw yard, will be the collectting point, and will have them moved in blocks every Sunday beginning in mid August. According to a agreement with Chessie, and contract holders all shipments will have to be completed by the end of December. 1,285 carloads, averaging 70 cars each, hauled aproxmatly 77,400 net tons. Beans came from the C&O, D&M, AA, Michigan Northern, and TSBY, to connections with the SSW, and MP, at St. Louis. Also connections were made with the ATSF, at Chicago for completion of the journey to Mexico.

This year after a eleven year lapse, Amtrak, operated the Tulip Time Special, between Chicago, and Holland. The trip was one hour and 15 minuets late departing Chicago because of the huge turnout of people boarding in Whiting, In. The train was suposed to have Superliner equipment, but they were needed else where, it had all Amfleet equipment. This is the consist.

AMTK 267 & 340
baggage 1213
Amcoaches 21156, 21203, 21214
Amcafes 20029, 20038
Amcoaches 21232, 21206, 21223
Amdinette 20235
Amcoaches 21009, 21197, 21114

The train was supposed to arrive in Holland, at 11:50, but it did not arrive until 12:52. The train was taken to Waverly yard to be turned, and came back, to be recrewed. The trip was handled by the 20th Century Railroad Club. It was sold out, at 850 people, but indications were that 400 more wanted to ride, but there was not enough equipment. Amtrak, had said that if it had been available, it would have run in two sections. (info by way of Art Million Grand Haven, Mi.)