GR&P

[atrainguy60]

S129 is going through Perrysburg at 15 mph.

[atrainguy60]

The fire was finally put out last night, and work is being done to clear the tracks as soon as possible.

[atrainguy60]

S234 is currently about a mile east of the Michigan City connection with two GP30's and two U23B's and 44 cars. S219 is in White Pigeon with three GP30's and 28 cars. S235 is just now leaving Kalamazoo with a RS3 and two U33B's and 65 cars. S163 has a U23B and 10 cars. S161 has two SD40-2's and five SW9's and 49 cars. S216 is leaving Livernois Yard with two ES44AC's and 67 double stacks. S218 is going through St. Clair with a GP9 and 17 cars. S237 is leaving Sarnia to head south with a GP35 and 15 cars. S226 is entering Minneapolis right now with two SD70AC's and 91 cars.

[atrainguy60]

The GR&P has begun two passenger train services between Chicago and Toledo, and Chicago and Kalamazoo. The Chicago-Toledo trains are called the Great Lakes Limited, and the Chicago to Kalamazoo trains are called the South Michigan Limited. They will be hauled by P32-8's, which the GR&P bought from Amtrak. The GR&P owns 16 P32-8's and 30 bilevel ex Metra cars. There will be eight Great Lakes Limited trains a day, four each way. There will be four South Michigan Limited trains, two each way. The trains will be operated push pull, with a locomotive on each end. The Great Lakes Limited originates at Chicago Union Station, and stops at Hammond-Whiting, South Bend, Elkhart, White Pigeon, Sturgis, Coldwater, Hillsdale, Adrian, and then terminating at Toledo Union Station. The South Michigan Limited originates at Chicago Union Station, stops at Hammond-Whiting, South Bend, Elkhart, White Pigeon, Three Rivers, and then terminates at Kalamazoo.

Great Lakes Limited times:

500 Chicago 7:00am, Hammond 7:30am, South Bend 9:30am, Elkhart 10:00am, White Pigeon 10:30am, Sturgis 10:45 am, Coldwater 11:00am, Hillsdale 11:20am, Adrian 11:45am, Toledo 12:30pm.

501 Toledo 3:00pm, Adrian 3:45pm, Hillsdale 4:10pm, Coldwater 4:30pm, Sturgis 4:45pm, White Pigeon 5:00pm, Elkhart 5:30pm, South Bend 6:00, Hammond 8:00pm, Chicago 8:30pm.

502 Chicago 9:00am, Hammond 9:30am, South Bend 11:30am, Elkhart 12:00pm, White Pigeon 12:30pm, Sturgis 12:45pm, Coldwater 1:00pm, Hillsdale 1:20pm, Adrian 1:45pm, Toledo 2:30pm.

503 Toledo 6:00pm, Adrian 6:45pm, Hillsdale 7:10 pm, Coldwater 7:30pm, Sturgis 7:45pm, White Pigeon 8:00pm, Elkhart 8:30pm, South Bend 9:00pm, Hammond 11:00pm, Chicago 11:30pm.

504 Chicago 12:00pm, Hammond 12:30pm, South Bend 2:30pm, Elkhart 3:00pm, White Pigeon 3:30pm, Sturgis 3:45pm, Coldwater 4:00pm, Hillsdale 4:20pm, Adrian 4:45pm, Toledo 5:30pm.

505 Toledo 7:30pm, Adrian 8:15pm, Hillsdale 8:40pm, Coldwater 9:00pm, Sturgis 9:15pm, White Pigeon 9:30pm, Elkhart 10:00pm, South Bend 10:30pm, Hammond 12:30am, Chicago 1:00am.

506 Chicago 6:00pm, Hammond 6:30pm, South Bend 8:30pm, Elkhart 9:00pm, White Pigeon 9:30pm, Sturgis 9:45pm, Coldwater 10:00pm, Hillsdale 10:20pm, Adrian 10:45pm, Toledo 11:30pm.

507 Toledo 12:00am, Adrian 12:45am, Hillsdale 1:10am, Coldwater 1:30am, Sturgis 1:45am, White Pigeon 2:00am, Elkhart 2:30am, South Bend 3:00am, Hammond 5:00am, Chicago 5:30am.

South Michigan Limited:

600 Chicago 6:00am, Hammond 6:30am, South Bend 8:30am, Elkhart 9:00am, White Pigeon 9:30am, Three Rivers 9:45am, Kalamazoo 10:15am.

601 Kalamazoo 12:00pm, Three Rivers 12:30pm, White Pigeon 12:45pm, Elkhart 1:15pm, South Bend 1:45pm, Hammond 3:45pm, Chicago 4:15pm.

602 Chicago 8:00am, Hammond 8:30am, South Bend 10:30am, Elkhart 11:00am, White Pigeon 11:30am, Three Rivers 11:45am, Kalamazoo 12:15pm.

603 Kalamazoo 2:00pm, Three Rivers 2:30pm, White Pigeon 2:45pm, Elkhart 3:15pm, South Bend 3:45pm, Hammond 5:45pm, Chicago 6:15pm.

[MQT3001]

Gee...you want even more high-priority crap on my line

Well, at least there is only a dozen miles before you reach Porter and all Passenger can be dumped on the new passenger-only line....

Also, 12 of the 20 crews of yours that was trying to get qualified for our mainline have passed the test, which was taken on Friday. The other eight came close, but a few missed a few things, must of it crossing locations and signal names...they should all be able to pass within a week. Let me know when you plan on sending more crews to get qualified. Only 5 miles of single track left! We can take 20 of your trains now...one per hour. We have "slots" set up for each train every half hour. You MUST fit in your block. Your block time is CANCELLED if the train is more than 10 minutes late, and will be givin to any other trains that may be waiting. This setup applies for both the GR&P trains and MQT, and makes dispatching a breeze. We use it on our GR sub currently, but not south of BH. We now will use it until we have substancial double track, at which point we will shrink the areas where we use it.

[atrainguy60]

Actually, these trains won't be running on your line. It was mentioned on my post about the trains, that they would be stopping in South Bend and Elkhart. That means they are running via NS. I took your line into consideration when I started the passenger trains, and figured you would prefer them to stay off your line, since you have to deal with the freight. Sorry, I should have been more clear about the NS part.

[MQT3001]

Actually, these trains won't be running on your line. It was mentioned on my post about the trains, that they would be stopping in South Bend and Elkhart. That means they are running via NS. I took your line into consideration when I started the passenger trains, and figured you would prefer them to stay off your line, since you have to deal with the freight. Sorry, I should have been more clear about the NS part.

Rodger..they will still popping on the Passenger Express lane if you will at Porter.

[atrainguy60]

I was thinking I should have a extra track built along NS in some areas so they won't be in the way. Plus, that means more delays.

[MQT3001]

I was thinking I should have a extra track built along NS in some areas so they won't be in the way. Plus, that means more delays.

If you are going to build another track along NS, we will install an underpass at the Jct so there is an easy access route to the Amtrak Lines (Two tracks). Otherwise, you are trying to crossover two busy mains coming off of the MQT, so you have 70 trains per day in the way...not to mention the 100 off the NS

[atrainguy60]

You don't have to build an underpass. I have an idea.

[atrainguy60]

Trying to find a solution to the congestion in Indiana, the GR&P has not only built an extra track or two west of Gary, but is also using the South Shore Line to get to South Bend. The GR&P will use a freight train track that comes of the NS Chicago Line, and then use a newly built wye to access the South Shore. Then the trains will go to South Bend on the South Shore, connect to the NS to get to the station in South Bend and to get to Elkhart, and then continue on GR&P tracks.

[MQT3001]

Trying to find a solution to the congestion in Indiana, the GR&P has not only built an extra track or two west of Gary, but is also using the South Shore Line to get to South Bend. The GR&P will use a freight train track that comes of the NS Chicago Line, and then use a newly built wye to access the South Shore. Then the trains will go to South Bend on the South Shore, connect to the NS to get to the station in South Bend and to get to Elkhart, and then continue on GR&P tracks.

Ahh...using the South Shore just like I always said should be done in real life. They want a freight-free ROw (or close to it), and they ignore a mostly double track interurban where they would have to double track some areas and create a new connection to access Union Station, but they want to build an entire NEW line next to the NS, but then have to deal with Burns Harbor yard!?!?! Comparing the two, I'd think the South Shore option would be a whole lot easier.

As for paper railroads, MQT now plans to install a connection to the South Shore where it crosses in via an overpass JUST south of CP Annoyance...

[atrainguy60]

Great Lakes Limited train #500 is passing through Hudson right now. Two engines, one on each end, and 5 cars.

[atrainguy60]

Speed limits for the Michigan GR&P lines. P is for passenger, and F is for freight It's all 25mph on the HESR in the thumb and on the MMRR; 50mph from Midland to Bay City; 15mph through Bay City; 50mph from Bay City to Saginaw; 25mph from Saginaw to the west side of Bridgman; 60mph from Bridgman to Flushing; 25mph through Flushing; 60mph from Flushing to Durand; 15mph through Durand; 60mph from Durand to Fenton; 55mph from Fenton to Holly; 40mph from Holly to Waterford; 50mph from Waterford to Pontiac; 35mph from Pontiac to Wixom; 50mph from Wixom to Lakeland;F 50mph/P 60mph from Toledo to West Ottawa; F 60mph/P 70mph from West Ottawa to Adrian; F 40mph/P 50mph through Adrian; F 60mph/P 70 from Adrian to Hillsdale; F 50mph/P 60mph Hillsdale to Coldwater; F 70mph/P 80mph Coldwater to Sturgis; 50mph through Sturgis; 70mph from Sturgis to Michigan City; 25mph Grand Rapids; 35mph Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo; F 15mph/P 25mph through Kalamazoo; F 60mph/P 70mph from Kalamazoo to Elkhart.

[atrainguy60]

#603 just arrived at Chicago Union Station, 25 minutes late. 4 cars. #503 is going through Blissfield now, with 5 cars. #506 is nearing Gary with 4 cars.

[MQT3001]

All of the MQT trackage you use is good for 60, including the tracks @ Porter Jct

[DT&I]

Fresh Outta the shops and sitting next to the HESR and WSOR units.

[atrainguy60]

The GR&P is currently looking for a good location for a new, large, full of enough grain to fill weekly grain trains, grain elevator. Details are sketchy right now, but I will post updates.(Thanks MQT)

[MQT3001]

The GR&P is currently looking for a good location for a new, large, full of enough grain to fill weekly grain trains, grain elevator. Details are sketchy right now, but I will post updates.(Thanks MQT)

Remember to take it SLOW
Make it a month or two before building starts at least (Paper RRs speed things up a little bit, but not a 100-mile mainline in a month )

[atrainguy60]

The GR&P has gained two new customers, both in Edwardsburg. One is a gravel pit just west of town, and the other is lumber yard along the CN South Bend Sub. These are the first new customers on the GR&P line west of White Pigeon. The gravel pit will receive about 4 cars a week to fill with gravel, and the lumber yard will receive about three cars a day. This of course means a new local.