CN Location Updates December - 2023

[GTW6401]

Amtrak 350 at Milwaukee Junction.

251 is at Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

[Manistique]

116 just passing MP 22.5 at 1:39. As reported, all intermodal today and a short train to boot.

[MtClemensRailFan]

M385 zipping through Common Rd. @ 14:12. CN 5641 & 2640 with 84 cars. A fair amount of auto racks today.

[Manistique]

Amtrak 350 went past MP 22.1 about ten minutes early today, around 1:55 pm, with a Charger on both ends.

251 just passed MP 22.5 at 2:35 pm.

[Manistique]

And to complete the afternoon parade of train on the south Holly Subdivision, NB 515 with a long train, including ten loaded scrap gondolas at the end, I would say at least eight of which are from Schlaffer's off of DCON, passed MP 22.5 at 2:49 pm.

[Robertrains]

Amtrak 350 went past MP 22.1 about ten minutes early today, around 1:55 pm, with a Charger on both ends.
251 just passed MP 22.5 at 2:35 pm.

OK, I went to Ferndale, Cambourne Road, and saw train 251 but missed Amtrak® 350! The train had 103 cars with two CN engines (didn't get numbers) which were an SD70M-2 and ES44DC!!!! Mostly Auto Racks!

And to complete the afternoon parade of train on the south Holly Subdivision, NB 515 with a long train, including ten loaded scrap gondolas at the end, I would say at least eight of which are from Schlaffer's off of DCON, passed MP 22.5 at 2:49 pm.

I saw this train too! Now, after 251 passed I saw something I have never seen on the signals! The aspect was "Flashing Red!!!!!" It was the bottom signal! Why was this? What does flashing red mean? It shortly changed to standard yellow and then green!!!! Train 515 with CN SD60 #5423 and 58 cars!!!!

[Manistique]

I do not know the new CN signals that well, Robert. When it changed over last year or so, NB Amtraks at the signal at Opdyke Road, the last one before MAL Junction where they cross over to Main 2, starting having yellow over flashing red, the first time I had seen that. Before it was just yellow over red for NB Amtraks. Someone said that this now means a crossover to the other main at the next signal but in Ferndale I don't think there are any crossovers until MAL junction for a norhbound. Not much help but that is what little I know.

[Man o' War]

I saw this train too! Now, after 251 passed I saw something I have never seen on the signals! The aspect was "Flashing Red!!!!!" It was the bottom signal! Why was this? What does flashing red mean? It shortly changed to standard yellow and then green!!!! Train 515 with CN SD60 #5423 and 58 cars!!!!
[/quote]

When CN switched to route signalling as opposed to speed on the Mount Clemens and Holly Subs, they began utilizing flashing red at various locations - some crossovers and sidings. A stop signal can be changed to a restricted signal if one of the red lights is flashing - i.e., a signal that has a flashing light means that it is less restrictive than it would be if it were hard red. An example closer to home for you is the CTC controlled siding in Mount Clemens (CN Mount). Before the change, a train lined into the siding would receive a diverging signal - red over green or red over yellow. Now they will get a red over flashing red. There is only one aspect on the lower head - red or flashing red.

Man o' War

[GTW6401]

507 is working at Moterm with CN 2246 and 2273.

[RoyalKingoftheRails]

Amtrak 350 went past MP 22.1 about ten minutes early today, around 1:55 pm, with a Charger on both ends.
251 just passed MP 22.5 at 2:35 pm.

OK, I went to Ferndale, Cambourne Road, and saw train 251 but missed Amtrak® 350! The train had 103 cars with two CN engines (didn't get numbers) which were an SD70M-2 and ES44DC!!!! Mostly Auto Racks!

And to complete the afternoon parade of train on the south Holly Subdivision, NB 515 with a long train, including ten loaded scrap gondolas at the end, I would say at least eight of which are from Schlaffer's off of DCON, passed MP 22.5 at 2:49 pm.

I saw this train too! Now, after 251 passed I saw something I have never seen on the signals! The aspect was "Flashing Red!!!!!" It was the bottom signal! Why was this? What does flashing red mean? It shortly changed to standard yellow and then green!!!! Train 515 with CN SD60 #5423 and 58 cars!!!!

Oh I’ve seen those signals all the time. A bottom flashing red means take or leave siding. Q116 gets that aspect all the time going into Moterm. I’ve also seen in Mount Clemens and Pontiac as well.

[Manistique]

507 passed MP 22.5 at 6 pm.

[Manistique]

508 is passing MP 22.5 at 6:37 pm.

[Robertrains]

Thanx for the info on the signals! I figured it was a newer thing!!!!

[Manistique]

It sounds like there was an extra NB last night passing MP 22.5 around 9 pm. Probably an Extra 251? First one since the auto strike that I recall.

And just now at 7:31 a Saturday SB 515 with 5423 just went by with just a handful of boxcars, what is becoming its typical Saturday consist.

[Graham Halverson]

Solo BNSF on what I think is 251. Could be wrong but it’s all racks today. Shorter train as well

[Delray]

Solo BNSF on what I think is 251. Could be wrong but it’s all racks today. Shorter train as well

Went by the Fort St cam at 8:57

[LansingRailFan]

It sounds like there was an extra NB last night passing MP 22.5 around 9 pm. Probably an Extra 251? First one since the auto strike that I recall.

And just now at 7:31 a Saturday SB 515 with 5423 just went by with just a handful of boxcars, what is becoming its typical Saturday consist.

It was an X491 again. Should have another one tonight too.

[LansingRailFan]

09:00 - WB Z149 by the Charlotte cam

09:16 - WB P365 by the cam

09:30 - WB L501 with CN 8807/CN 8813/CN 5416 thru Charlotte

[Graham Halverson]

First off, L515 rolls through Royal Oak at 11:27. Friendly engineer on it. Got a horn show. Very unlikely

[Manistique]

We have two green over reds for both mainlines at Opdyke Road right now, mp 22.2 on the Holly, for Northbound trains. NB 515 already went by earlier so this must be 251 and maybe an extra like 491 again as foretold by LRF? I don't think I have seen two greens for each track before. I love double track mainlines.