CSX Train Location Updates - March 2023

[GRHC]

Could have been CSX #3289 and CSX #3209 heading west and waiting to be connected to a loaded coal train. They went eastbound towards GR with that PRMY 7209 Consumer Energy engine switcher(?)

That’s what I was thinking however because I could not see any engine numbers I couldn’t say what they were that’s why I said unidentified engines.

[pudgy]

This was a very late P37024 you heard coming east.

No it wasn’t it was 2 unidentified engines passing through Zeeland Michigan heading west. This was a visual confirmation. Not only did I see those two unidentified engines I also saw Amtrak pass through heading east.

Could have been CSX #3289 and CSX #3209 heading west and waiting to be connected to a loaded coal train. They went eastbound towards GR with that PRMY 7209 Consumer Energy engine switcher(?)

Both CSX units still sitting in Wyoming as of Saturday evening with the switcher.

[Tom49801]

E800-25 @ 01:56:54 westward W. Monroe St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.72 cam with BNSF engine #8496 & 130 empty coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #5740.

C800-25 @ 02:07:32 eastward Bangor’s W. Monroe St crossing mp CG60.72 live cam with BNSF engine #8523 & 130 loaded coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #9753. He took Wells Siding mp CG41.3 & tied down.

[Tom49801]

Just missed something westbound through South Lyon.

12:02 - G126 westbound thru Trowbridge headed for Newago. I too missed it.

G126-22 (empty grain train) @ 01:24 westward reported by the DD mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 376 axles. CSX engines #7204 + #3186 & 91 cars headed into Grand Rapids.

[Tom49801]

M327-26 @ 06:32 westward reported Grandville, Mi mp CG6.0 with CSX engines #397 + #5323 & 80 cars (21 loads + 59 empties) @ 4,799 tons & 5,182 feet.

Amtrak P371-26 @ 06:37 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 in Zeeland, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4602 & 3 cars (AmCafe + 2 Ventures).

M327-26 @ 06:58 westward reported by the DD mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 332 axles.

Amtrak P371-26 @ 07:14 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 in Pearl, Mi with 16 axles.

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P371-26 @ 07:28:35 westward N. Center St Bangor, Mi mp CG60.35 IDTX engine #4602 & 3 cars (AmCafe + 2 Ventures) with 3 passengers On & 1 Off at the station mp CG60.5

Amtrak P371-26 @ 07:39 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG66.2 in Hartford, Mi with 16 axles. A rare loud & clear message heard from this site.

M327-26 @ 07:40 westward reported by the DD mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 332 axles. CSX engines #397 + #5323 & 80 cars (21 loads + 59 empties) @ 4,799 tons & 5,182 feet.

M327-26 @ 07:59:16 westward N. Center St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.35 live cam.

Amtrak P371-26 @ 08:16 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 16 axles.

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P371-26 @ 08:33 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG108.9 Lakeside, Mi with 16 axles. IDTX engine #4602 & 3 cars (AmCafe + 2 Ventures).

Amtrak P371-26 @ 08:57 westward reported from mp CG130.

M327-26 @ 09:02 westward reported by the DD mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 332 axles. CSX engines #397 + #5323 & 80 cars (21 loads + 59 empties) @ 4,799 tons & 5,182 feet.

[Redwing9]

I151 CSXT 931 through Romulus 0915

[Tom49801]

M326-26 @ 10:29 eastward reported by the DD mp CG108.9 Lakeside, Mi with 340 axles. CSX engines #5340 + #983 & 82 cars. He appears to be running with the same engines from yesterday's M327.

M326-26 @ 10:51 eastward reported by the DD mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 340 axles.

L303-26 @ 11:20 Grand Rapids, Mi job briefing with the RN Dispatcher: CSX engines #452 + #347 & 23 cars (9 loads + 14 empties) @ 1,645 tons & 1,576 ft long. He’s building his train & has work in Lansing.

[Tom49801]

M326-26 @ 11:48 eastward Division St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.93 cam with CSX engines #5340 + #983 & 82 cars.

L303-26 @ 12:07 eastward called a Medium Clear signal at Seymour mp CH148.1 with CSX engines #452 + #347 & 23 cars.

M326-26 @ 12:14 eastward reported by the DD mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 340 axles.

[Tom49801]

L303-26 @ 12:48 eastward reported by the DD mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 108 axles. CSX engines #452 + #347 & 24 cars (1 car more than what his job briefing had specified). He has work in Lansing.

M326-26 @ 13:03 eastward reported by the DD mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 340 axles. CSX engines #5340 + #983 & 82 cars.

L303-26 @ 13:24 eastward reported by the DD mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 108 axles.

[amtrak1007]

Overnight update: @ 01:14 two unidentified engines running lite heading west passed through Zeeland Michigan.

This was a very late P37024 you heard coming east.

You sure that wasn't the executive train making another foray into the mitten state?

[amessmann]

L303-26 @ 13:24 eastward reported by the DD mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 108 axles.

Are our local detectors reporting twice now? I had thought I heard the DD at 79.9 report twice recently, since then I have misplaced my scanner and cannot confirm.
In listening to online scanners for the area, the detector at 104 reports for the head end and rear end of the train, like they have done on CN for a few years.

[Tom49801]

L303-26 @ 13:24 eastward reported by the DD mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 108 axles.

Are our local detectors reporting twice now? I had thought I heard the DD at 79.9 report twice recently, since then I have misplaced my scanner and cannot confirm.
In listening to online scanners for the area, the detector at 104 reports for the head end and rear end of the train, like they have done on CN for a few years.

CSX, system wide it appears, returned to having the DD sites transmit a "greeting" when a train is detected entering. The DD will transmit its location & then after the entire train has cleared off of the HBD equipment it will transmit the data. We used to have the "greeting" feature a few years ago & also the length of the train, in feet, transmitted. I had heard L301 last week asking a maintainer if that feature could be restored & the maintainer had said he would check with his supervisor. L301 had told him their length varies with each customer they visit & knowing the footage of their train would be very helpful. Also, should a defect be detected, you will hear a tone burst & then after the entire train has cleared thru the site the details will be given (that's how they've always worked).

[KenB]

CSXT L302 w.b with CSXT 4543, 3211 resr DPU, OS Tireman ave in Detroit at 1440 on March 26, 2023.

[MQT1223]

CSXT L302 w.b with CSXT 4543, 3211 resr DPU, OS Tireman ave in Detroit at 1440 on March 26, 2023.

Anybody know if they have work for Lansing?

[amessmann]

L303-26, despite making quick work of Ensel, was delayed at Trowbridge diamond by M394 on CN's side.
They will have to call the dispatcher back at the EE too, presumably for signal issues.
15:00 - L303-26 getting permission to pass the stop indication at EAS EE Trowbridge.

Thank you Tom for that information, I could see how knowing the length per customer would be quite helpful, I had not thought of that.
The crews wouldn't be the only ones happy to get the length announcement back, it seems. In addition for MQT1223, L302 usually works Lansing, looks like 3211 is back!

[Andy24]

L303-26 @ 12:48 eastward reported by the DD mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 108 axles. CSX engines #452 + #347 & 24 cars (1 car more than what his job briefing had specified). He has work in Lansing.

L303-26 @ 13:24 eastward reported by the DD mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 108 axles.

Per railfan’s video in GR (Grand Rapids) who captured L303 at Madison mp 149.7, I can confirm it was initially 23 cars. As for the axle count, L303 was pulling those 2 6-axle spine cars with the CleanHarbor items.

Pictured below are the spine cars of a railfan, who was in Grand Rapids, captured video of L303: https://youtu.be/TLx5Zd7As_o

For those on the eastern side of the state, where are these items heading to?

[kd_1014]

Ethanol train B714-23 is rerouting over the Plymouth and GR subs off the B&O either late tonight or tomorrow. BNSF 7428 + 6816 as power. Is in Ohio now.

[kd_1014]

CSXT L302 w.b with CSXT 4543, 3211 resr DPU, OS Tireman ave in Detroit at 1440 on March 26, 2023.

Anybody know if they have work for Lansing?

It’s rare if they don’t.