CSX Train Location Updates - May 2021

[Tom49801]

Not sure who, but someone got caught at DD44.2 with dragging equipment near axle 25, and from 37 to 39. 100 axles with 1,689 ft long train.

It was a DED test being performed there with 100 axles programmed to be the "test train". With a laptop connection, you can set how many axles you wish your "test train" to be so that you have time to walk out onto the track & kick the DED paddles or if you wish to test/check the HBD equipment.

[Tom49801]

Q327-14 @ 09:18:57 westward Bangor's Center St crossing mp CG60.35 with CSXT engines #64 + #395 & 151 cars.

D702-14 @ 09:19 eastward reported by DD mp CG19.1 with 76 axles & 1,059 ft. CSXT engines #2502 + #2349 & 17 cars.

[PyrodronProd]

Not sure who, but someone got caught at DD44.2 with dragging equipment near axle 25, and from 37 to 39. 100 axles with 1,689 ft long train.

It was a DED test being performed there with 100 axles programmed to be the "test train". With a laptop connection, you can set how many axles you wish your "test train" to be so that you have time to walk out onto the track & kick the DED paddles or if you wish to test/check the HBD equipment.

Oh gotcha. Aren't they supposed to announce if they're being tested like that?

[Tom49801]

Not sure who, but someone got caught at DD44.2 with dragging equipment near axle 25, and from 37 to 39. 100 axles with 1,689 ft long train.

It was a DED test being performed there with 100 axles programmed to be the "test train". With a laptop connection, you can set how many axles you wish your "test train" to be so that you have time to walk out onto the track & kick the DED paddles or if you wish to test/check the HBD equipment.

Oh gotcha. Aren't they supposed to announce if they're being tested like that?

They let Dispatch know by telephone - since, I've never heard the Maintainers say anything at all on the radio about making a test. Just all of a sudden, like today, you'll hear the multiple alarms from a DD reporting. At times, you'll hear the HBD alarming too when they perform "a flame test" (as we used to call that) by actuating each HBD scanner with a heat source (I used a lit cigarette or cigar to do that). Depending on a particular railroad's test rules, the HBD scanners are calibrated every 3 months & some just make an annual calibration test. On Amtrak's NEC, we made calibrations every month & then went to a quarterly schedule with the latest & greatest HBD systems that were installed.

[Tom49801]

Q326-14 @ 09:59 eastward reported by the DD mp CG91.9 with 368 axles & 5,084 ft. CSXT engines #5230 + #5265 & 89 cars. He'll meet Q327 at the double track after crossing over the St Joseph Bridge.

[PyrodronProd]

It was a DED test being performed there with 100 axles programmed to be the "test train". With a laptop connection, you can set how many axles you wish your "test train" to be so that you have time to walk out onto the track & kick the DED paddles or if you wish to test/check the HBD equipment.

Oh gotcha. Aren't they supposed to announce if they're being tested like that?

They let Dispatch know by telephone - since, I've never heard the Maintainers say anything at all on the radio about making a test. Just all of a sudden, like today, you'll hear the multiple alarms from a DD reporting. At times, you'll hear the HBD alarming too when they perform "a flame test" (as we used to call that) by actuating each HBD scanner with a heat source (I used a lit cigarette or cigar to do that). Depending on a particular railroad's test rules, the HBD scanners are calibrated every 3 months & some just make an annual calibration test. On Amtrak's NEC, we made calibrations every month & then went to a quarterly schedule with the latest & greatest HBD systems that were installed.

Interesting. That is good to know.

[PyrodronProd]

Y106-14 clear WB out of W Elmdale with CSXT 4060 leading @ 10:20 EDT

[Tom49801]

Q327-14 @ 10:40 westward reported by the DD mp CG91.9 with 616 axles & 8,711 feet. CSXT engines #64 + #395 & 151 cars.

Q326-14 @ 11:02:18 eastward Bangor's Division St crossing mp CG60.93 with CSXT engines #5230 + #5265 & 89 cars.

[Saturnalia]

10:27 CT / 11:27 ET: Q327 by Michigan City CG 124.0

[Tom49801]

Q326-14 @ 11:36 eastward reported by the DD mp CG44.2 with 368 axles & 5,146 ft. CSXT engines #5230 + #5265 & 89 cars. He will be setting off 8 cars at Holland.

[trnwatcher]

11:56 EDT Y106 CSXT 4006? WB ALTO.

[Tom49801]

D702-14 @ 12:56 westward reported by the DD mp CG19.1 with 144 axles & 1,848 ft. CSXT engines #2349 + #2502 & 34 cars.

[Tom49801]

Q326-14 @ 13:30 eastward reported by the DD mp CG19.1 with 336 axles & 4,514 ft. CSXT engines #5230 + #5265 & 81 cars. He had set off 8 cars in Holland.

[BL2-1843]

D70514 by Howell at 14:30 with the same power D70614 had going east nine hours ago. DPU was mid train along with additional unit 6013. 160 cars total, DPU and additional unit after the 56th car. If CSX can keep this schedule up, they can run both D705 & 706 in the same day using the 3220-775 set.

Meanwhile another V-764 grain empty ran 20 minutes behind D705 with 82+417 on the head end and 88 cars, all CSX. D708 in the siding at Fowlerville for both of them.
They will be going to Brighton again today to run around their train after leaving 30 GLC cars in the Howell pass. Departing Fowlerville at 15:15.

[Steve B]

Westbound by Trowbridge at 1541

[PyrodronProd]

D705 working Ensle Yard @ 1628 EDT
CSXT 3220

[amessmann]

D708 westbound out of Brighton at 16:54, 4037 and 8400 with 23 cars.

[PyrodronProd]

D705 Clear W Grand Ledge @ 1848 EDT
CSXT 3220
Mid DPU 775 6019

[Tom49801]

D705-14 @ 19:02 westward reported by the DD mp CH104.3 with 564 axles & 7,935 ft. CSXT engines #3220 + mid #775 + #6013 & 137 total cars.

D705-14 @ 19:40 westward reported by the DD mp CH126.3 with 564 axles. Sounds like they may be getting re-crewed at
Rte. M50 at Alto mp CH134.35

[BL2-1843]

V-764 grain empty with 82+417 leading, had its 88 car train put away in Webberville by 18:30. D70814 took 48 cars back to Lansing with them from Howell.