E&W to rebuild connection with former GT in Mishawaka

[MQT1223]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/A4nNoDACq2DbFK5w/?

Sounds like the E&W in Elkhart is planning on relaying/rebuilding around 5 miles of track to connect into the CN so that way they can have access to not just NS. Curious how this will affect them long term and if this means they have something lined up with CN

[~Z~]

Have a linky for those without facebook accounts, and better yet, people that aren't a member of the private 174 member group?

[Steve B]

Have a linky for those without facebook accounts, and better yet, people that aren't a member of the private 174 member group?

The following is on page 11 of this FRA PDF, published yesterday. Don't see how the amount comes close to rebuilding 5 miles though. Maybe E&W will actually get NS rights to Mishawaka and then build a shorter connection to CN?
https://tinyurl.com/y6axdfpz
St. Joseph County Capital Avenue Corridor Rail Expansion Project (Up to $772,800)
St. Joseph County, Indiana
The proposed project was selected for Project Development and includes extension of the existing Patriot Rail
Elkhart and Western Railroad to connect with Canadian National Railway’s Chicago-Toronto. The project aligns
with the selection criteria by advancing economic opportunities to ship goods by rail, benefitting the customers of
Elkhart and Western Railroad with two Class I connections. St. Joseph’s County and EWR will contribute the 20
percent non-Federal match. The project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.

[~Z~]

Don't see how the amount comes close to rebuilding 5 miles though.

No kidding on the costs. Some of the ROW looks decent to get through, except for the western-most 1 mile. Some grade crossings to be put back in on busy roads, but that last mile has a lot of buildings all over the ROW.
If anything, curve the tracks at route 331, parallel the road and go along the electric ROW to connect to CN north of Mishawaka.

[AARR]

Is there enough traffic to justify the cost? How often is service, twice a week?

[LansingRailFan]

CN also is almost done connecting to the Kingsbury Industrial Park via the trackage that goes to the Kingsbury Elevator.

[justalurker66]

North from the end of the line to CN next to Capital Ave.

[Erroneous Monk]

Have a linky for those without facebook accounts, and better yet, people that aren't a member of the private 174 member group?

The following is on page 11 of this FRA PDF, published yesterday. Don't see how the amount comes close to rebuilding 5 miles though. Maybe E&W will actually get NS rights to Mishawaka and then build a shorter connection to CN?
https://tinyurl.com/y6axdfpz
St. Joseph County Capital Avenue Corridor Rail Expansion Project (Up to $772,800)
St. Joseph County, Indiana
The proposed project was selected for Project Development and includes extension of the existing Patriot Rail
Elkhart and Western Railroad to connect with Canadian National Railway’s Chicago-Toronto. The project aligns
with the selection criteria by advancing economic opportunities to ship goods by rail, benefitting the customers of
Elkhart and Western Railroad with two Class I connections. St. Joseph’s County and EWR will contribute the 20
percent non-Federal match. The project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.

Maybe the $772,800 is St. Joseph's 20% match? If so that'd bring total costs to $3,864,000.

[LansingRailFan]

Don't see how the amount comes close to rebuilding 5 miles though.

No kidding on the costs. Some of the ROW looks decent to get through, except for the western-most 1 mile. Some grade crossings to be put back in on busy roads, but that last mile has a lot of buildings all over the ROW.
If anything, curve the tracks at route 331, parallel the road and go along the electric ROW to connect to CN north of Mishawaka.

The suggested route looks to curve to the north on the east side of US 331 right here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PmuuRzh9tLbLJf4p6

They'd connect to the CN where US 331 crosses CN.

[chapmaja]

The map I found online seems to show what LRF has suggested. The line will extend from the current end of the tracks at Current Rd, cross Current Rd and run alongside Perry Auto, as indicated on the map LRF posted. It will then turn and head north, running alongside 331 until it reaches the CN tracks north of town. It looks like only a few crossings would need to be reinstalled on the line, the Current Rd crossing, the Day Rd crossing and the Douglass Rd crossing, as well as at least 1 crossing accessing the AEP powerstation.

[Jim_c]

Looks like there's an industrial spur that runs to behind WestRock. I wonder if that is perhaps the target. The route paralleling 331 is labeled as the alternate. Those of you who are far more familiar with the logistics involved may be able to shed some light on this.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDYk4u8dGjsQKUAP6

[justalurker66]

Story from WSBT News ...
https://wsbt.com/news/local/railroad-co ... nt-indiana#

[SecondCreek]

CN also is almost done connecting to the Kingsbury Industrial Park via the trackage that goes to the Kingsbury Elevator.

That will doom the South Shore Line in the industrial park. There are what, just two customers besides car storage?

[SecondCreek]

Looks like there's an industrial spur that runs to behind WestRock. I wonder if that is perhaps the target. The route paralleling 331 is labeled as the alternate. Those of you who are far more familiar with the logistics involved may be able to shed some light on this.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDYk4u8dGjsQKUAP6

Does that WestRock plant even still get rail service? Over the years looking at Google imagery I have never seen freight cars on that spur.

[LansingRailFan]

CN also is almost done connecting to the Kingsbury Industrial Park via the trackage that goes to the Kingsbury Elevator.

That will doom the South Shore Line in the industrial park. There are what, just two customers besides car storage?

Lots of rumblings about the CSS anywho so

[MQT1223]

CN also is almost done connecting to the Kingsbury Industrial Park via the trackage that goes to the Kingsbury Elevator.

That will doom the South Shore Line in the industrial park. There are what, just two customers besides car storage?

Lots of rumblings about the CSS anywho so

In terms of what?

[NS3322]

Looks like there's an industrial spur that runs to behind WestRock. I wonder if that is perhaps the target. The route paralleling 331 is labeled as the alternate. Those of you who are far more familiar with the logistics involved may be able to shed some light on this.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDYk4u8dGjsQKUAP6

Does that WestRock plant even still get rail service? Over the years looking at Google imagery I have never seen freight cars on that spur.

No they do not. I have always wondered why they stopped using rail. That plant was originally a Smurfit-Stone plant, and it appears the tracks stopped seeing use after they were acquired by Rock-Tenn in 2011.

CN also is almost done connecting to the Kingsbury Industrial Park via the trackage that goes to the Kingsbury Elevator.

That will doom the South Shore Line in the industrial park. There are what, just two customers besides car storage?

Yep, Precoat Metals and Alexander Chemical.