CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Any historical questions can be posted here. Answers would certainly help as well :)
atrainguy60
Saginaw Sub Foamer
Posts: 4078
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:54 pm
Location: None of your business......

CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by atrainguy60 »

I was checking out the xrailfan site and reading through the list of trains that ran on CSX lines in Michigan after the CR merger, and according to the list there were two unit trains that ran north of Grand Rapids - K905 (Walbridge to Walhalla) and K923, the "Dow Lime Train" (Walbridge to Ludington). I was curious about a few of things, first is what kind of train was K905? Second, how often did both trains run? It says that K905 left Walbridge at 16:00, but not what days. No info on K923. Third, how long did these train run, what year were they abolished?

GP30M4216
Saver of all History
Posts: 4801
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 pm
Location: Feel the Zeel, MI
Contact:

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by GP30M4216 »

Not sure about K923, but K905 ran in the twilight CSX years and in the early MQT era (sometimes ran as a dedicated Toledo-Grand Rapids train which was interchanged to the MQT). It seemed to run about once a week on average. On CSX, usually a dedicated train, but sometimes hauled as part of a D704, the regular GR-north turn job.

As for how early the job ran, I can't say. The Dow lime plant I believe is today owned by Occidental Chemical Corp. and you still see OCCX covered hoppers bound for Ludington, but just not in dedicated trains.

Here is a photo of what I believe is an empty (returning) K904, laying over at Baldwin waiting for a crew. In 1999 maybe? I'm sure I have the date somewhere.
BN 9597 Baldwin.jpg

User avatar
trnwatcher
My name ain't Steven
Posts: 4855
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 6:22 pm
Location: Grandville MI
Contact:

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by trnwatcher »

The "Lime Train" was K905. K905 would run from Cary, Ohio?? to Ludington as a 65 car unit train or sometimes as part of D704. K923 was a little used symbol. It probably originated or terminated at different locals hence the different symbol. I never heard it used.
Steven F. Shick
http://www.youtube.com/user/trnwatcher
http://www.trnwatcher.net

I.T. guy/Railfan
"The true railfan has two favorite railroads....the Baltimore & Ohio and another one." - Charles S. Roberts

atrainguy60
Saginaw Sub Foamer
Posts: 4078
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:54 pm
Location: None of your business......

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by atrainguy60 »

Thanks for the answers!

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by AARR »

I recall Dok talking about the "Limey" train. It would run as a unit to Walhalla then split with part going to Ludington (Dow) and the rest to Martin Marietta (near Manistee). Seems like MM would get a few more of the cars than Dow. I think MM still gets Limey's but they run in the general freight rather than units.
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...

Dan Cluley
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 2631
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:58 am
Location: Lansing

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by Dan Cluley »

I don't know about later years, but in the early and mid '90s the lime train normally went west through East Lansing on Thursday evening. Mostly Martin Marietta covered hoppers, and usually had Conrail power. The empties would come back a few at a time on 334.

User avatar
Doktor No
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1076
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:49 pm
Location: Rockford, Michigan

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Unread post by Doktor No »

The lime came from ex PRR trackage south of Walbridge. Lime was precipitated thru the brine pumped from area wells up there and Calcium chloride would be the product produced. Used in a myriad of products and in various forms...bulk in covered hoppers. Bagged in those low Manufactures RR gray and black with the red stripe ex Budwiser beer boxes or in liquid form in tanks.
Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Post Reply