The STB held hearings last week regarding the GLOR's purchase / merger of the IORY's Indiana and Illinois lines. There were no additional requests for severice over GLOR lines made, however, there were several stipulations requested regarding the routing of traffic via the Peoria Gateway. The owners of the Peoria and Pekin Union Railroad, which leases its tracks to the Tazewell and Peoria, which itself is the subject of the merger, have requested the STB maintain oversite over the routing of traffic via Peoria and assurances that GLOR will not engage in unfair deviation of traffic off the routing. The reason for this the the owners of the P&PU are CN, UP and NS, all of who would be at risk of losing money if the GLOR deviated shipments away from line. GLOR provided assurances that the traffic would not be removed from the line to another interchange Gateway, and instead indicated that it would be more likely traffic levels over the line would increase, rather than decrease, as a result of the transaction.
The STB has not given a formal response as to when the transaction would be approved, but it is expected to be near the end of the year. GLOR is planning the process of integrating the railroads into a single cohesive unit at this time, although no repainting of units will take place until actual approval is granted.
Today through Wednesday are the hearings related to the GLOR / W&LE agreement and the additional agreements with the smaller local railroads in eastern Ohio / western Pennsylvania who GLOR is also in the process of obtaining.
Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The GLOR is at it again. They have purchased a stake in another shortline railroad. This time, the Kankakee, Beaverville, and Southern, railroad in Illinois and Indiana. The stake will be 51% ownership and like the KJRY, the KBSR will remain independently operated from the GLOR, but will have operational synergies with the GLOR. This deal was struk just prior to the STB hearings on the TPW et al mergers in Indiana and Illinois and was included in the discussions at the hearing.
KBSR currently crosses the TPW at Sheldon and Webster, Illinois, and maintains an interchange with TWP at both locations. Webster and Sheldon are approximately 6 miles south and 6.5 miles south southeast of Iroqouis Jct, where the KBSR junction is located. The two interchanges are approximately two miles from each other.
Currently the KBSR rosters 6 GP38M-2 locomotives, all of which were previously CNW GP40's.
The KBSR railroad operates the following lines
Kankakee Line - Kankakee to Iroqouis, Il.
Lafayette Line - Iroqouis, IL to Lafayette, IN C(Connects with Kankakee Line in Sheldon)
Free Line - Sheff, IN to Free, IN (Connects with Lafayette Line in Sheff)
Danville Line - Hooper, IL to Danville, IL (Conencts with Kankakee Line in Iroqouis Jct, IL)
Boswell Line - Cheneyville IL, to Templeton, IN (Connects the Danville Line to the Layfayette Line)
Stewart Line - Handy, IN to Stewart, IN - Owned by Bee Line Railroad, traffic switched by Bee Line, but run by KBSR), connects to Boswell Line in Handy.
Primary Commodities on the line are grain, chemicals, and plastic. Other interchanges are with CSX, UP and NS at various ends of the line.
KBSR currently crosses the TPW at Sheldon and Webster, Illinois, and maintains an interchange with TWP at both locations. Webster and Sheldon are approximately 6 miles south and 6.5 miles south southeast of Iroqouis Jct, where the KBSR junction is located. The two interchanges are approximately two miles from each other.
Currently the KBSR rosters 6 GP38M-2 locomotives, all of which were previously CNW GP40's.
The KBSR railroad operates the following lines
Kankakee Line - Kankakee to Iroqouis, Il.
Lafayette Line - Iroqouis, IL to Lafayette, IN C(Connects with Kankakee Line in Sheldon)
Free Line - Sheff, IN to Free, IN (Connects with Lafayette Line in Sheff)
Danville Line - Hooper, IL to Danville, IL (Conencts with Kankakee Line in Iroqouis Jct, IL)
Boswell Line - Cheneyville IL, to Templeton, IN (Connects the Danville Line to the Layfayette Line)
Stewart Line - Handy, IN to Stewart, IN - Owned by Bee Line Railroad, traffic switched by Bee Line, but run by KBSR), connects to Boswell Line in Handy.
Primary Commodities on the line are grain, chemicals, and plastic. Other interchanges are with CSX, UP and NS at various ends of the line.
Last edited by chapmaja on Wed Oct 23, 2024 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The first train traversed the rebuilt line between Sturgis and Coldwater on Monday 10-22-2024. This train, WP-1 had two misrouted cars for the INER subdivision in Coldwater, which were delivered to the GLOR in Elkhart by mistake. Both cars were for Darling in Coldwater. The power brought the cars to Coldwater then ran lite back to Sturgis where it picked up the rest of its train and headed back west.
In addition, the former Sturgis Iron and Metal Property, now Sturgis Scrap and Metal will be getting additional traffic in the coming weeks. SC&M has agreed to a contract to scrap a number of old coal hoppers which had previously been used by Consumers Energy for coal to their power plants across Michigan. With the closing and impending closures of their coal fired plants, the hoppers have been stored. While some have ended up in scrap metal service, others have been deemed outdated and will be scrapped.
GLOR will be providing cars in 10 car cuts approximately once per week, while storing the remainder of the cars. Additionally, GLOR will be delivering scrap metal hoppers to S&M for hauling outbound scrap metal.
So far since the property reopened in April 2024, GLOR had sent 103 cars to meet the torch at SS&M and has hauled 15 loads of scrap metal outbound from the facility. While it certainly is not a huge customer by volume, it is additional revenue for the line.
Finally, there is additional news regarding the possbility of a new power facility being built in Litchfield on the site of the Endicott Generating Station. The proposed facility has received the first set of approvals needed for a site plan. The facility plans call for an unloading area for 20 railcars on site.
In addition, the former Sturgis Iron and Metal Property, now Sturgis Scrap and Metal will be getting additional traffic in the coming weeks. SC&M has agreed to a contract to scrap a number of old coal hoppers which had previously been used by Consumers Energy for coal to their power plants across Michigan. With the closing and impending closures of their coal fired plants, the hoppers have been stored. While some have ended up in scrap metal service, others have been deemed outdated and will be scrapped.
GLOR will be providing cars in 10 car cuts approximately once per week, while storing the remainder of the cars. Additionally, GLOR will be delivering scrap metal hoppers to S&M for hauling outbound scrap metal.
So far since the property reopened in April 2024, GLOR had sent 103 cars to meet the torch at SS&M and has hauled 15 loads of scrap metal outbound from the facility. While it certainly is not a huge customer by volume, it is additional revenue for the line.
Finally, there is additional news regarding the possbility of a new power facility being built in Litchfield on the site of the Endicott Generating Station. The proposed facility has received the first set of approvals needed for a site plan. The facility plans call for an unloading area for 20 railcars on site.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
Effective on 1-1-2025, the White Pigeon Subdivision and the INER Division will be combined to form the INER Division of the GLOR. This was a planned move upon completion of the rehabilitation between Coldwater and Sturgis.
The line will maintain three Subdivisions,
Stugis Subdivsion - White Pigeon to West Coldwater Yard
Hillsdale Subdivision - West Coldwater Yard to Steubenville, IN
Indiana Division - South Milford to Montpieler, OH
Trains operating on the line will include
Indiana Subdivision
IND-1 Montpelier to Ashley, In - Works industries from Ashley, In to Montpelier and return, including interchange with Hillsdale subdivision.
IND-2 Ashley, In to South Milford, In and return. - Works from Ashley, In west to the end of the line and return.
IND-3 Extra Crew- May work anywhere on the INER Division as needed. Based in Hudson, In.
Hillsdale Subdivision
HIL-1 Hillsdale to Coldwater Local - Works all industries from Hillsdale north and to West Coldwater Yard and return.
HIL-2 Hillsdale to Ashley, In - Transfer from Hillsdale Subdivision to Indiana Subdivision. May work industries in Ashley as needed.
Sturgis Subdivision
WP-2 White Pigeon to West Coldwater Yard and Return Local. Will work all Stugis Customers.
The INER will also host multiple unit trains, mainly grain. In addition, the line will continue to host tourist operations as well.
The Indiana Rail Experience will continue to operate from Pleasant Lake, using a variety of power including steam and diesel power.
The Little River Railroad will continue to operate from Coldwater. - GLOR is looking at how to assist the Little River Railroad with operating over the newly rehabilitated track west of Coldwater. Currently, the main issue the Little River has with running west of Coldwater is turning the locomotives to run facing west.
One possibility to is that the GLOR and Little River team up to purchase property in Coldwater and in install a wye. For trains running all the way to Sturgis, the train can be wyed in Sturgis. For trains running only a portion of the way, either an assistance locomotive, or backward running would be required.
GLOR is very favorable to tourist railroads, so they are trying to work out a solution in the best interest of both the GLOR and the Little River Railroad.
The line will maintain three Subdivisions,
Stugis Subdivsion - White Pigeon to West Coldwater Yard
Hillsdale Subdivision - West Coldwater Yard to Steubenville, IN
Indiana Division - South Milford to Montpieler, OH
Trains operating on the line will include
Indiana Subdivision
IND-1 Montpelier to Ashley, In - Works industries from Ashley, In to Montpelier and return, including interchange with Hillsdale subdivision.
IND-2 Ashley, In to South Milford, In and return. - Works from Ashley, In west to the end of the line and return.
IND-3 Extra Crew- May work anywhere on the INER Division as needed. Based in Hudson, In.
Hillsdale Subdivision
HIL-1 Hillsdale to Coldwater Local - Works all industries from Hillsdale north and to West Coldwater Yard and return.
HIL-2 Hillsdale to Ashley, In - Transfer from Hillsdale Subdivision to Indiana Subdivision. May work industries in Ashley as needed.
Sturgis Subdivision
WP-2 White Pigeon to West Coldwater Yard and Return Local. Will work all Stugis Customers.
The INER will also host multiple unit trains, mainly grain. In addition, the line will continue to host tourist operations as well.
The Indiana Rail Experience will continue to operate from Pleasant Lake, using a variety of power including steam and diesel power.
The Little River Railroad will continue to operate from Coldwater. - GLOR is looking at how to assist the Little River Railroad with operating over the newly rehabilitated track west of Coldwater. Currently, the main issue the Little River has with running west of Coldwater is turning the locomotives to run facing west.
One possibility to is that the GLOR and Little River team up to purchase property in Coldwater and in install a wye. For trains running all the way to Sturgis, the train can be wyed in Sturgis. For trains running only a portion of the way, either an assistance locomotive, or backward running would be required.
GLOR is very favorable to tourist railroads, so they are trying to work out a solution in the best interest of both the GLOR and the Little River Railroad.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The GLOR is currently planning on spinning off three additional railroad lines in the coming months to wholely owned subsidiary companies.
The first of these lines will be the Peavine Subdivision from Clare Yard to east end of the line. This line will be operated at the Cincinnati, Batavia and Eastern (CBE). The line will continue operations as it currently is being operated, with the exception that all interchange will be handled by CBE trains from Clare Yard west to Cincinnati via trackage rights. CBE will maintain interchange with the GLOR, NS and CSX.
Power to be transfered to the CBE has not yet been determined.
The second of these lines will also be in the Cincinnati area. The CIND Subdivision and the Brookfield Subdivisions will be combined to form the Cincinnati and Sourtheastern Indiana Railroad (CSIR). The CSIR will operate from Cincinnati west to Shelbyville, IN, as well as the Brookfield Subdivision from Valley Junction to Brookdield. Currently the line from Greensburg to Shelbyville and from West Harrison, IN to Brookfield are out of service due to a lack of customers and rail grade stability concerns.
Finally, the Urbana and Mechanicsburg Subdivisions are being spun off from the GLOR and will be operated at the Springfield, Bellefontaine and Mechanisburg Railroad (SBMR). The SDMR will operate out of the the GLOR's Springfield yard and will service the lines on an as needed basis.
All three railroads will continue to be wholely owned by the GLOR, and will have power "sold" to them b y the GLOR or purchased from outside sources (GLOR is always looking for used power to add to its roster).
The exact details of each railroad will be determined prior to the start up date. Locomotive power will maintain the current GLOR paint scheme, or special paint scheme currently applied, but will be lettered for the host railroad.
The spinning off these lines, and the previously announced spinoffs is being done to allow the GLOR's management to focus on key rail corridors under operation and allow other manages to handle the local day to day operations including customer service on the ground with customers,
The first of these lines will be the Peavine Subdivision from Clare Yard to east end of the line. This line will be operated at the Cincinnati, Batavia and Eastern (CBE). The line will continue operations as it currently is being operated, with the exception that all interchange will be handled by CBE trains from Clare Yard west to Cincinnati via trackage rights. CBE will maintain interchange with the GLOR, NS and CSX.
Power to be transfered to the CBE has not yet been determined.
The second of these lines will also be in the Cincinnati area. The CIND Subdivision and the Brookfield Subdivisions will be combined to form the Cincinnati and Sourtheastern Indiana Railroad (CSIR). The CSIR will operate from Cincinnati west to Shelbyville, IN, as well as the Brookfield Subdivision from Valley Junction to Brookdield. Currently the line from Greensburg to Shelbyville and from West Harrison, IN to Brookfield are out of service due to a lack of customers and rail grade stability concerns.
Finally, the Urbana and Mechanicsburg Subdivisions are being spun off from the GLOR and will be operated at the Springfield, Bellefontaine and Mechanisburg Railroad (SBMR). The SDMR will operate out of the the GLOR's Springfield yard and will service the lines on an as needed basis.
All three railroads will continue to be wholely owned by the GLOR, and will have power "sold" to them b y the GLOR or purchased from outside sources (GLOR is always looking for used power to add to its roster).
The exact details of each railroad will be determined prior to the start up date. Locomotive power will maintain the current GLOR paint scheme, or special paint scheme currently applied, but will be lettered for the host railroad.
The spinning off these lines, and the previously announced spinoffs is being done to allow the GLOR's management to focus on key rail corridors under operation and allow other manages to handle the local day to day operations including customer service on the ground with customers,
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR management is in the process of finalizing an additional purchase, for a company which will be run as a subsidiary company of the GLOR, and itself will have 6 subsidiary companies.
GLOR is finalizing the purchase of North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates, which operates 6 railroads in Central Pennsylvania. The company is currently in an ongoing legal dispute with Carload Express, a company which the GLOR recently purchased the assetts of. The purchase of North Shore is expected to end the onging legal dispute between North Shore and Carload Express over the legality of the agreement with the SEDA-COG who owns the rail lines.
It is expected that no major changes will happen with the GLOR as the corperate owner of the lines. GLOR's trackage will not connect with any of the lines operated by North Shore. More details on the operations and management of the railroads will come at a later time.
GLOR is finalizing the purchase of North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates, which operates 6 railroads in Central Pennsylvania. The company is currently in an ongoing legal dispute with Carload Express, a company which the GLOR recently purchased the assetts of. The purchase of North Shore is expected to end the onging legal dispute between North Shore and Carload Express over the legality of the agreement with the SEDA-COG who owns the rail lines.
It is expected that no major changes will happen with the GLOR as the corperate owner of the lines. GLOR's trackage will not connect with any of the lines operated by North Shore. More details on the operations and management of the railroads will come at a later time.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
North Shore Railroad Company will be the latest acquisition of the GLOR's parent company. This company, much like ILSX will be operated as a distinct company under the overwatching eye of GLOR's management.
North Shore is in a legal battle with Carload Express, which was recently purchased by the GLOR, regarding the operation of several railroad lines in Pennsylvania owned by SEDA-COG. North Shore also owns their own trackage as well.
From the website, the GLOR will be acquiring the following.
Juniata Valley Railroad (JVRR)
Lycoming Valley Railroad (LVRR)
Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER)
North Shore Railroad (NSHR)
Shamokin Valley Railroad (SVRR)
Union County Industrial Railroad (UCIR)
These companies will continue to operate independently of the GLOR as a fellow subsidiary company of the GLOR's parent company.
As stated the company website, "We provide quality rail service to a variety of businesses and industries located in Central Pennsylvania, running on 256.2 miles of track. The commodities we handle are as varied as the businesses themselves. Aggregates, coal, grain, and plastics are just a small sampling of the range of commodities that move in, out, and around Central PA on the rails."
The following customers and locomotive power will be added to the equipment portfolio with this purchase.
Juniata Valley Railroad
Customers
First Quality Lewistown Adult Hygiene & Baby Products Boxcars
Trinity Plastics Lewistown Plastic Bags & Wraps Covered Hoppers
Greenbrier Rail Services Lewistown Railcar Parts Gondolas/Flatcars/Boxcars
Double S Liquid Feed Lewistown Liquid Animal Feed Tank Cars
Growmark FS Lewistown Fertilizer Supplier Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Allensville Planing Mill Highland Park Building Materials Centerbeam Flatcars
Standard Steel Burnham Steel Mill Gondolas/Boxcars/Flatcars
Joe Krentzman & Son Maitland Scrapyard Gondolas
Locomotives
NSHR 446 SW9 1953 Ex-CR 8983/PC 8983/NYC 8983.
JVRR 2106 SW900 1953 Ex-PS 1865/PS 236.
Lycoming Valley Railroad
Koppers Montgomery Railroad Tie Plant & Power Plant Gondolas/Tank Cars/Centerbeam Flatcars
Halliburton Montgomery Drilling Chemicals & Minerals Covered Hoppers
Keystone Filler & Mfg. Muncy Carbon Products Covered Hoppers
Charlotte Pipe Muncy Pipe Extrusion Plant Covered Hoppers
ADS Muncy Pipe & Drainage Products Covered Hoppers
Hanson Aggregates Montoursville Sand & Gravel Products Open Hoppers Inactive
Terratech Services Montoursville Pipe Yard Flatcars Inactive
Glenn O. Hawbaker Montoursville Aggregate Supplier Stone Hoppers
Bethlehem Wire Rope Williamsport Wire Rope & Strand Products Gondolas/Flatcars
Staiman Recycling Williamsport Scrapyard Gondolas
Lundy Warehousing Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers
General Cable Williamsport Cable Products Boxcars/Covered Hoppers
Transco Railway Products Williamsport Railcar Repair Facility Various
Penn Recycling Williamsport Scrapyard Gondolas
NuWeld Williamsport Metal Fabricating Flatcars/Gondolas
Bulkmatic Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
LVRR Transload Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars/Coal Hoppers/Flatcars/Gondolas
UGI Energy Services Williamsport Propane Terminal Tank Cars
M-I Swaco Williamsport Drilling Fluids & Minerals Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Frito-Lay Williamsport Snack Food Products Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Covia Williamsport Frac Sand Terminal Covered Hoppers
Arxada Williamsport Specialty Chemicals Tank Cars Formerly Lonza.
High Steel Structures Williamsport Steel Fabrication Flatcars/Bulkhead Flatcars
Jersey Shore Steel Avis Rail Steel Mill Gondolas/Flatcars
LVRR Transload Avis Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Locomotives
LVRR 231 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1775/PS 231.
LVRR 238 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1816/PS 238.
LVRR 239 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1776/PS 239.
NSHR 2015 GP38-2 1976 Ex-NS 5175/SOU 5175.
NSHR 2017 GP38-2 1967 Ex-NSHR 2010/NYSW 2010/BO 3800.
NSHR 2018 GP38-2 1976 Ex-NS 5188/SOU 5188.
LVRR 3025 SD40-2 1977 Ex-HLCX 6229/CP 5839.
LVRR 3026 SD40-2 1968 Ex-HLCX 6303/MKCX 9056/PLMX 3029/MP 3029/MP 729.
LVRR 9050 GP20 1958 Ex-GRR 9050/SOO 947/MILW 947/MILW 261/MILW 2369.
LVRR 9052 GP20 1958 Ex-GRR 9052/SOO 951/MILW 951/MILW 265/MILW 2373
Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER)
Customers
American Eagle Paper Mills Tyrone Paper Mill Boxcars /Tank Cars
Smith Transport Bald Eagle Warehouse Boxcars
Blazer Enterprises Wingate Transload Facility Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers Inactive?
Graymont Bellefonte Lime Products Covered Hoppers
Happy Valley Blended Products Pleasant Gap Dry Bulk Blending Covered Hoppers
Glenn O. Hawbaker Pleasant Gap Stone Yard Stone Hoppers
NBER Transload Pleasant Gap Transload Facility Stone Hoppers/Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Growmark FS Pleasant Gap Fertilizer Supplier Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars Inactive?
Graymont Pleasant Gap Lime Products Covered Hoppers
Novolex/Hilex Poly Milesburg Plastic Bags Covered Hoppers
Webb's SuperGro Products Mill Hall Grain Elevator & Fertilizer Supplier Covered Hoppers
Croda Mill Hall Pharmaceutical Excipients Tank Cars
Avery Dennison Mill Hall Chemical Products Tank Cars
PVS Chemicals Castanea Chemical Products Tank Cars
Solvay Castanea Chemical Products Tank Cars
First Quality Lock Haven Bath Tissue & Paper Towels Boxcars
Locomotives
NSHR 364 SW8 1950 Ex-CR 8668/LV 254.
NBER 1601 GP8 1952 Ex-CR 5401/PC 5686/NYC 5686.
NBER 1602 GP8 1950 Ex-CR 5405/CR 5725/CR 5614/PC 5614/PE 5614
NBER 1603 GP8 1953 Ex-CR 5400/CR 5720/RDG 634.
NBER 1804 GP10 1957 Ex-CR 7569/CR 7118/PC 7118/PRR 7118.
NSHR 2004 GP38 1969 Ex-LVRR 2000/CR 7695/PC 7695.
LVRR 2011 GP35R 1964 Ex-LVRR 5510/LVRR 506/LTEX 509/QS 509/SP 6325/SP 6530/SP 7418.
NSHR 2012 GP38 1969 Ex-RTEX 2012/LLPX 2012/CR 7688/PC 7688.
LVRR 2016 GP35R 1965 Ex-LVRR 5514/LVRR 503/LTEX 503/CDAC 503/SP 6305/SP 6664/SP 7767.
NBER 4174 GP7 1952 Ex-CNW 4174/CRIP 4520/CRIP 1255.
North Shore Railroad (NSHR)
Masonite Northumberland Wooden & Plastic Doors Boxcars Inactive?
Button Oil & Propane Northumberland Propane Terminal Tank Cars
Zartman Construction Northumberland Materials Handling Flatcars Infrequent.
NSHR Transload Danville Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Flatcars
Autoneum Bloomsburg Plastic Auto Parts Covered Hoppers
Ultra-Poly Bloomsburg Plastic Recycling Covered Hoppers
84 Lumber Lime Ridge Lumber Yard Centerbeam Flatcars/Boxcars Inactive?
Post Consumer Brands Lime Ridge Pet Food Products Covered Hoppers Formerly J.M. Smucker & Big Heart Pet Brands.
Sekisui Kydex Lime Ridge Thermoplastic Products Covered Hoppers
Tuscarora Grain Willow Springs Grain Transload Covered Hoppers
Wise Foods Berwick Snack Food Products Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Process Plastics Berwick Plastic Products Covered Hoppers
Altium Packaging Berwick Plastic Bottles & Containers Covered Hoppers
NSHR Transload Berwick Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Beach Haven Nuclear Power Plant Flatcars Very infrequent.
Locomotives
NSHR 1940 SW1500 1968 Ex-NSHR 2317/NS 2317/SOU 2317.
NSHR 1942 SW1500 1972 Ex-NS 2209/CR 9523/PC 9523.
NSHR 1944 SW1500 1972 Ex-NS 2211/CR 9527/PC 9527.
NSHR 1946 SW1500 1969 Ex-NS 2336/SOU 2336.
NSHR 1948 SW1500 1970 Ex-NREX 2346/NPBL 2346/NS 2346/SOU 2346.
NSHR 2238 SW1500 1966 Ex-NS 2238/CR 9600/IU 22/EMDX 106.
Selinsgrove Branch Railroad - Formerly North Shore Railroad Selinsgrove Branch (Will share power with NSHR until permanent power is assigned)
K&L Feeds Selinsgrove Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
Kreamer Feed Kreamer Feed Mill Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Shamokin Valley Railroad (SVRR) - shares power with NSHR
Anthracite Industries Sunbury Carbon & Graphite Products Covered Hoppers
Drug Plastics Elysburg Plastic Bottles Covered Hoppers
Stoneroad Iron & Metal Elysburg Scrapyard Gondolas Active shipper?
Novipax Paxinos Absorbent Products Boxcars
Clark's Feed Mills Sunnyside Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
Shamokin Carbons Shamokin Carbon & Graphite Products Covered Hoppers
SVRR Transload Coal Township Transload Facility Coal Hoppers
Union County Industrial Railroad (UCIR) - shares power with NSHR
Conagra Brands Milton Chef Boyardee Products Covered Hoppers/Boxcars
White Deer Gas White Deer Light Petroleum Products Tank Cars
National Gypsum New Columbia Gypsum Paper Products Boxcars/Covered Hoppers
GAF New Columbia Roofing Products Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Country View Family Farms New Columbia Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
PA Distribution West Milton Building Materials Bulkhead Flatcars/Centerbeam Flatcars/Boxcars
UCIR Transload Lewisburg Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars/Gondolas
Cargill Winfield Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
North Shore is in a legal battle with Carload Express, which was recently purchased by the GLOR, regarding the operation of several railroad lines in Pennsylvania owned by SEDA-COG. North Shore also owns their own trackage as well.
From the website, the GLOR will be acquiring the following.
Juniata Valley Railroad (JVRR)
Lycoming Valley Railroad (LVRR)
Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER)
North Shore Railroad (NSHR)
Shamokin Valley Railroad (SVRR)
Union County Industrial Railroad (UCIR)
These companies will continue to operate independently of the GLOR as a fellow subsidiary company of the GLOR's parent company.
As stated the company website, "We provide quality rail service to a variety of businesses and industries located in Central Pennsylvania, running on 256.2 miles of track. The commodities we handle are as varied as the businesses themselves. Aggregates, coal, grain, and plastics are just a small sampling of the range of commodities that move in, out, and around Central PA on the rails."
The following customers and locomotive power will be added to the equipment portfolio with this purchase.
Juniata Valley Railroad
Customers
First Quality Lewistown Adult Hygiene & Baby Products Boxcars
Trinity Plastics Lewistown Plastic Bags & Wraps Covered Hoppers
Greenbrier Rail Services Lewistown Railcar Parts Gondolas/Flatcars/Boxcars
Double S Liquid Feed Lewistown Liquid Animal Feed Tank Cars
Growmark FS Lewistown Fertilizer Supplier Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Allensville Planing Mill Highland Park Building Materials Centerbeam Flatcars
Standard Steel Burnham Steel Mill Gondolas/Boxcars/Flatcars
Joe Krentzman & Son Maitland Scrapyard Gondolas
Locomotives
NSHR 446 SW9 1953 Ex-CR 8983/PC 8983/NYC 8983.
JVRR 2106 SW900 1953 Ex-PS 1865/PS 236.
Lycoming Valley Railroad
Koppers Montgomery Railroad Tie Plant & Power Plant Gondolas/Tank Cars/Centerbeam Flatcars
Halliburton Montgomery Drilling Chemicals & Minerals Covered Hoppers
Keystone Filler & Mfg. Muncy Carbon Products Covered Hoppers
Charlotte Pipe Muncy Pipe Extrusion Plant Covered Hoppers
ADS Muncy Pipe & Drainage Products Covered Hoppers
Hanson Aggregates Montoursville Sand & Gravel Products Open Hoppers Inactive
Terratech Services Montoursville Pipe Yard Flatcars Inactive
Glenn O. Hawbaker Montoursville Aggregate Supplier Stone Hoppers
Bethlehem Wire Rope Williamsport Wire Rope & Strand Products Gondolas/Flatcars
Staiman Recycling Williamsport Scrapyard Gondolas
Lundy Warehousing Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers
General Cable Williamsport Cable Products Boxcars/Covered Hoppers
Transco Railway Products Williamsport Railcar Repair Facility Various
Penn Recycling Williamsport Scrapyard Gondolas
NuWeld Williamsport Metal Fabricating Flatcars/Gondolas
Bulkmatic Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
LVRR Transload Williamsport Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars/Coal Hoppers/Flatcars/Gondolas
UGI Energy Services Williamsport Propane Terminal Tank Cars
M-I Swaco Williamsport Drilling Fluids & Minerals Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Frito-Lay Williamsport Snack Food Products Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Covia Williamsport Frac Sand Terminal Covered Hoppers
Arxada Williamsport Specialty Chemicals Tank Cars Formerly Lonza.
High Steel Structures Williamsport Steel Fabrication Flatcars/Bulkhead Flatcars
Jersey Shore Steel Avis Rail Steel Mill Gondolas/Flatcars
LVRR Transload Avis Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Locomotives
LVRR 231 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1775/PS 231.
LVRR 238 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1816/PS 238.
LVRR 239 SW9 1953 Ex-PS 1776/PS 239.
NSHR 2015 GP38-2 1976 Ex-NS 5175/SOU 5175.
NSHR 2017 GP38-2 1967 Ex-NSHR 2010/NYSW 2010/BO 3800.
NSHR 2018 GP38-2 1976 Ex-NS 5188/SOU 5188.
LVRR 3025 SD40-2 1977 Ex-HLCX 6229/CP 5839.
LVRR 3026 SD40-2 1968 Ex-HLCX 6303/MKCX 9056/PLMX 3029/MP 3029/MP 729.
LVRR 9050 GP20 1958 Ex-GRR 9050/SOO 947/MILW 947/MILW 261/MILW 2369.
LVRR 9052 GP20 1958 Ex-GRR 9052/SOO 951/MILW 951/MILW 265/MILW 2373
Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER)
Customers
American Eagle Paper Mills Tyrone Paper Mill Boxcars /Tank Cars
Smith Transport Bald Eagle Warehouse Boxcars
Blazer Enterprises Wingate Transload Facility Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers Inactive?
Graymont Bellefonte Lime Products Covered Hoppers
Happy Valley Blended Products Pleasant Gap Dry Bulk Blending Covered Hoppers
Glenn O. Hawbaker Pleasant Gap Stone Yard Stone Hoppers
NBER Transload Pleasant Gap Transload Facility Stone Hoppers/Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Growmark FS Pleasant Gap Fertilizer Supplier Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars Inactive?
Graymont Pleasant Gap Lime Products Covered Hoppers
Novolex/Hilex Poly Milesburg Plastic Bags Covered Hoppers
Webb's SuperGro Products Mill Hall Grain Elevator & Fertilizer Supplier Covered Hoppers
Croda Mill Hall Pharmaceutical Excipients Tank Cars
Avery Dennison Mill Hall Chemical Products Tank Cars
PVS Chemicals Castanea Chemical Products Tank Cars
Solvay Castanea Chemical Products Tank Cars
First Quality Lock Haven Bath Tissue & Paper Towels Boxcars
Locomotives
NSHR 364 SW8 1950 Ex-CR 8668/LV 254.
NBER 1601 GP8 1952 Ex-CR 5401/PC 5686/NYC 5686.
NBER 1602 GP8 1950 Ex-CR 5405/CR 5725/CR 5614/PC 5614/PE 5614
NBER 1603 GP8 1953 Ex-CR 5400/CR 5720/RDG 634.
NBER 1804 GP10 1957 Ex-CR 7569/CR 7118/PC 7118/PRR 7118.
NSHR 2004 GP38 1969 Ex-LVRR 2000/CR 7695/PC 7695.
LVRR 2011 GP35R 1964 Ex-LVRR 5510/LVRR 506/LTEX 509/QS 509/SP 6325/SP 6530/SP 7418.
NSHR 2012 GP38 1969 Ex-RTEX 2012/LLPX 2012/CR 7688/PC 7688.
LVRR 2016 GP35R 1965 Ex-LVRR 5514/LVRR 503/LTEX 503/CDAC 503/SP 6305/SP 6664/SP 7767.
NBER 4174 GP7 1952 Ex-CNW 4174/CRIP 4520/CRIP 1255.
North Shore Railroad (NSHR)
Masonite Northumberland Wooden & Plastic Doors Boxcars Inactive?
Button Oil & Propane Northumberland Propane Terminal Tank Cars
Zartman Construction Northumberland Materials Handling Flatcars Infrequent.
NSHR Transload Danville Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Flatcars
Autoneum Bloomsburg Plastic Auto Parts Covered Hoppers
Ultra-Poly Bloomsburg Plastic Recycling Covered Hoppers
84 Lumber Lime Ridge Lumber Yard Centerbeam Flatcars/Boxcars Inactive?
Post Consumer Brands Lime Ridge Pet Food Products Covered Hoppers Formerly J.M. Smucker & Big Heart Pet Brands.
Sekisui Kydex Lime Ridge Thermoplastic Products Covered Hoppers
Tuscarora Grain Willow Springs Grain Transload Covered Hoppers
Wise Foods Berwick Snack Food Products Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Process Plastics Berwick Plastic Products Covered Hoppers
Altium Packaging Berwick Plastic Bottles & Containers Covered Hoppers
NSHR Transload Berwick Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Beach Haven Nuclear Power Plant Flatcars Very infrequent.
Locomotives
NSHR 1940 SW1500 1968 Ex-NSHR 2317/NS 2317/SOU 2317.
NSHR 1942 SW1500 1972 Ex-NS 2209/CR 9523/PC 9523.
NSHR 1944 SW1500 1972 Ex-NS 2211/CR 9527/PC 9527.
NSHR 1946 SW1500 1969 Ex-NS 2336/SOU 2336.
NSHR 1948 SW1500 1970 Ex-NREX 2346/NPBL 2346/NS 2346/SOU 2346.
NSHR 2238 SW1500 1966 Ex-NS 2238/CR 9600/IU 22/EMDX 106.
Selinsgrove Branch Railroad - Formerly North Shore Railroad Selinsgrove Branch (Will share power with NSHR until permanent power is assigned)
K&L Feeds Selinsgrove Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
Kreamer Feed Kreamer Feed Mill Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
Shamokin Valley Railroad (SVRR) - shares power with NSHR
Anthracite Industries Sunbury Carbon & Graphite Products Covered Hoppers
Drug Plastics Elysburg Plastic Bottles Covered Hoppers
Stoneroad Iron & Metal Elysburg Scrapyard Gondolas Active shipper?
Novipax Paxinos Absorbent Products Boxcars
Clark's Feed Mills Sunnyside Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
Shamokin Carbons Shamokin Carbon & Graphite Products Covered Hoppers
SVRR Transload Coal Township Transload Facility Coal Hoppers
Union County Industrial Railroad (UCIR) - shares power with NSHR
Conagra Brands Milton Chef Boyardee Products Covered Hoppers/Boxcars
White Deer Gas White Deer Light Petroleum Products Tank Cars
National Gypsum New Columbia Gypsum Paper Products Boxcars/Covered Hoppers
GAF New Columbia Roofing Products Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
Country View Family Farms New Columbia Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
PA Distribution West Milton Building Materials Bulkhead Flatcars/Centerbeam Flatcars/Boxcars
UCIR Transload Lewisburg Transload Facility Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars/Gondolas
Cargill Winfield Feed Mill Covered Hoppers
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The hearings regarding the GLOR / W&LE / smaller railroads merger were held earlier this week. There were no major surprises from the hearings. All the major issues had been agreed upon by the majority of parties. Some parties raised concern about the GLOR's merged system redirecting traffic to their own routes, which are generally slower than the other major rail carriers serving the region. GLOR has indicated they will not be redirecting traffic from existing routes without the approval of the shippers and other railroad connections involved. GLOR has indicated they are willing to sumbit to STB oversite regarding traffic involved in the merger deal to assure shipping routes are not being changed without approval of the customers and other connecting railroads.
GLOR management did incidate that as a result of these mergers, there may be some redirection of interchange cars between railroads in an effort to increase the volume and speed at which traffic moves across the system. Any such changes would be completed in conjunction with the connecting railroads.
The STB appeared satisified with the agreement between NS and GLOR to reinstall the connection between the W&LE and the Nerwburgh and South Shore line, with GLOR paying maintainance fees to NS for such upkeep of the diamond and paying the initial installation costs of the diamond.
There were some concerns from members of the STB that the GLOR is expanding in an attempt to corner the shortline railroad market in the region and potentially stifle competition. GLOR responded to those concerns that they are purchasing the operations, but maintaining existing connections and in many cases increasing the availability of connections to the benefit of shippers.
GLOR management did incidate that as a result of these mergers, there may be some redirection of interchange cars between railroads in an effort to increase the volume and speed at which traffic moves across the system. Any such changes would be completed in conjunction with the connecting railroads.
The STB appeared satisified with the agreement between NS and GLOR to reinstall the connection between the W&LE and the Nerwburgh and South Shore line, with GLOR paying maintainance fees to NS for such upkeep of the diamond and paying the initial installation costs of the diamond.
There were some concerns from members of the STB that the GLOR is expanding in an attempt to corner the shortline railroad market in the region and potentially stifle competition. GLOR responded to those concerns that they are purchasing the operations, but maintaining existing connections and in many cases increasing the availability of connections to the benefit of shippers.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The Delmarva Central Railroad, which was purchased from Carload Express earlier this year, was in the process of purchasing the Maryland and Delaware Railroad as they were purchased by the GLOR.
As a result, the following locomotives have been added to the GLOR's roster of locomotives either directly owned or owned by subsidiary companies.
MDDE 1201 RS3M 1952 Ex-DCLR 1201/CR 9999/CR 5265/EL 1049/DLW 911. Main locomotive. Assigned to Northern Line.
BDRV 1202 SW1200 1956 Ex-RBMN 1202/CR 9366/PC 9183/NH 643. Main locomotive. Assigned to Northern Line. On loan.
MDDE 1203 RS3M 1952 Ex-DCLR 1203/CR 9942/CR 5268/EL 1052/DLW 914. Main locomotive. Assigned to Seaford Line.
MDDE 1823 GP10 1955 Ex-DRRV 1823/DRRV 732/WW 732/CR 7323/PC 7323/NYC 5923. Main locomotive. Assigned to Snow Hill Line.
The current plan is for the in service locomotives to remain in service, while the out of service locomotives will be shipped to the Lima Shops for disposition decisions. The units to be shipped to the Lima Shops will be
MDDE 801 SW900 1956 Ex-CR 8641/PC 8641/NYC 9641. OOS. Assigned to Northern Line.
MDDE 1202 RS3M 1950 Ex-DCLR 1202/CR 9926/CR 5262/EL 1040/DLW 902. OOS. Assigned to Northern Line.
DDE 2628 CF7 1946 Ex-BMR 2628/ATSF 2628/ATSF 20C. OOS. Assigned to Snow Hill Line.
While BDRV 1202 is currently on loan to the Maryland and Delaware, the unit will be returned at some point and replaced with either a DCR or a GLOR locomotive.
As a result, the following locomotives have been added to the GLOR's roster of locomotives either directly owned or owned by subsidiary companies.
MDDE 1201 RS3M 1952 Ex-DCLR 1201/CR 9999/CR 5265/EL 1049/DLW 911. Main locomotive. Assigned to Northern Line.
BDRV 1202 SW1200 1956 Ex-RBMN 1202/CR 9366/PC 9183/NH 643. Main locomotive. Assigned to Northern Line. On loan.
MDDE 1203 RS3M 1952 Ex-DCLR 1203/CR 9942/CR 5268/EL 1052/DLW 914. Main locomotive. Assigned to Seaford Line.
MDDE 1823 GP10 1955 Ex-DRRV 1823/DRRV 732/WW 732/CR 7323/PC 7323/NYC 5923. Main locomotive. Assigned to Snow Hill Line.
The current plan is for the in service locomotives to remain in service, while the out of service locomotives will be shipped to the Lima Shops for disposition decisions. The units to be shipped to the Lima Shops will be
MDDE 801 SW900 1956 Ex-CR 8641/PC 8641/NYC 9641. OOS. Assigned to Northern Line.
MDDE 1202 RS3M 1950 Ex-DCLR 1202/CR 9926/CR 5262/EL 1040/DLW 902. OOS. Assigned to Northern Line.
DDE 2628 CF7 1946 Ex-BMR 2628/ATSF 2628/ATSF 20C. OOS. Assigned to Snow Hill Line.
While BDRV 1202 is currently on loan to the Maryland and Delaware, the unit will be returned at some point and replaced with either a DCR or a GLOR locomotive.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR has announced which locomotives will be transfered to the spin off railroads.
Cincinnati, Batavia and Eastern - CBE will operate via trackage rights to interchanges with GLOR, CSX and NS in Cincinnati. Two units will be kept in Clare Yard for the transload, 2 wil stay in Batavia for Purina, and the rest will work across the railroad including the interchange traffic.
CBE #7 MP15AC
CBE #12 MP15AC
CBE #4030 SD40-2
CBE #4035 SD40-3
CBE #4501 SD45T-2
CBE #4504 SD45R
CBE #1590 GP15M-3 – Former GLOR #65 –
CBE #1591 GP15M-3 – Former GLOR #66 –
Cincinnati and Southeastern Indiana Railroad (CSIR) - SD70M-2's will be used primarily for Honda traffic to Cincinnati.
CSIR #21 SW1500
CSIR #25 SW1200RS
CSIR #396 GP35M-3
CSIR #405 GP40M-3
CSIR #2021 GP38-2
CSIR #2037 GP38-3
CSIR #7013 SD70M-2 Former NS 2756
CSIR #7019 SD70M-2 Former NS 2711
CSIR #4008 SD40-2
CSIR #4019 SD40-2
Springfield, Bellefontaine and Mechanicsburg Railroad (SBMR) - Power may be used by GLOR out of Springfield on an as needed basis.
SBMR #2003 GP38M-2 Rebuilt in 2017
SBMR #409 GP40M-3
Rochester Argos and Northern
RAN #1581 (GP15-1)
RAN #161 (GP16) – Former PREX 1606
RAN #162 (GP16) – Former PREX 1608
Greenville Railroad - Former RJ Corman Ohio Lines to Greenville, OH
GRR #165 Former RJC 1832 GP16 Built 1951 Ex-CSX 1832/SCL 1832/SAL 1777.
GRR #202 Former RJC 4121 GP20 Built 1962 Ex-SP 4121/SP 4075/SP 7225.
Traverse City Southern Railroad
TCSR #387 GP35-2 Retains original AA #.
TCSR #395 GP35M-3
Pontiac and Lake Orion
PLO #64 GP9u
PLO #65 GP9RM
Clinton Adrian and Blissfield Railroad - GP15-1's will be assigned to the Clinton Branch and based out of Tecumseh.
CABR #9 MP15AC
CABR #1575 GP15-1 – Former CSX 1439
CABR #1576 GP15-1 – Former CSX 1419
CABR #2022 GP38-2
CABR #2033 GP38-2
CABR #4011 SD40-2
CABR #4023 SD40M-2
Port Huron and Detroit Railway
PHDR #2012 GP38-2
PHDR #4005 SD40-2
PHDR #4018 SD40-2
Cincinnati, Batavia and Eastern - CBE will operate via trackage rights to interchanges with GLOR, CSX and NS in Cincinnati. Two units will be kept in Clare Yard for the transload, 2 wil stay in Batavia for Purina, and the rest will work across the railroad including the interchange traffic.
CBE #7 MP15AC
CBE #12 MP15AC
CBE #4030 SD40-2
CBE #4035 SD40-3
CBE #4501 SD45T-2
CBE #4504 SD45R
CBE #1590 GP15M-3 – Former GLOR #65 –
CBE #1591 GP15M-3 – Former GLOR #66 –
Cincinnati and Southeastern Indiana Railroad (CSIR) - SD70M-2's will be used primarily for Honda traffic to Cincinnati.
CSIR #21 SW1500
CSIR #25 SW1200RS
CSIR #396 GP35M-3
CSIR #405 GP40M-3
CSIR #2021 GP38-2
CSIR #2037 GP38-3
CSIR #7013 SD70M-2 Former NS 2756
CSIR #7019 SD70M-2 Former NS 2711
CSIR #4008 SD40-2
CSIR #4019 SD40-2
Springfield, Bellefontaine and Mechanicsburg Railroad (SBMR) - Power may be used by GLOR out of Springfield on an as needed basis.
SBMR #2003 GP38M-2 Rebuilt in 2017
SBMR #409 GP40M-3
Rochester Argos and Northern
RAN #1581 (GP15-1)
RAN #161 (GP16) – Former PREX 1606
RAN #162 (GP16) – Former PREX 1608
Greenville Railroad - Former RJ Corman Ohio Lines to Greenville, OH
GRR #165 Former RJC 1832 GP16 Built 1951 Ex-CSX 1832/SCL 1832/SAL 1777.
GRR #202 Former RJC 4121 GP20 Built 1962 Ex-SP 4121/SP 4075/SP 7225.
Traverse City Southern Railroad
TCSR #387 GP35-2 Retains original AA #.
TCSR #395 GP35M-3
Pontiac and Lake Orion
PLO #64 GP9u
PLO #65 GP9RM
Clinton Adrian and Blissfield Railroad - GP15-1's will be assigned to the Clinton Branch and based out of Tecumseh.
CABR #9 MP15AC
CABR #1575 GP15-1 – Former CSX 1439
CABR #1576 GP15-1 – Former CSX 1419
CABR #2022 GP38-2
CABR #2033 GP38-2
CABR #4011 SD40-2
CABR #4023 SD40M-2
Port Huron and Detroit Railway
PHDR #2012 GP38-2
PHDR #4005 SD40-2
PHDR #4018 SD40-2
Last edited by chapmaja on Tue Oct 29, 2024 12:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
New GLOR customer.
Previously it had been reported that Padnos was going to build a spur from the GLOR into their facility in Howell. This project had stalled until mid-summer. The spur has now been completed and the trackmobile is on site to service the facility. It is unknown when the GLOR will begin servicing the facility. The facility is expected to be serviced by the local out of Osmer Yard which also handles interchange with CSX in Howell.
Previously it had been reported that Padnos was going to build a spur from the GLOR into their facility in Howell. This project had stalled until mid-summer. The spur has now been completed and the trackmobile is on site to service the facility. It is unknown when the GLOR will begin servicing the facility. The facility is expected to be serviced by the local out of Osmer Yard which also handles interchange with CSX in Howell.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR management is in discussions to purchase a portion of another railroad in the midwest, and potentially other railroads across the country held by the same holding company. This purchase may also involve purchasing additional trackage to connect lines currently not connected and out of service. More information may be coming within the next couple months. If this project comes to pass, the line will open up connections to multiple other outlets for customers of the line. Exact details are yet to be worked out of the deal, but it looks to have a potential impact on one often forgotten about line.
In other news, the GLOR's Elkhart and Western Branch has been in the news, as county officials as well as the officials from the GLOR have been granted funding to potentially extend the Elkhart branch to the CN mainline. Currently the study has been funded, but no decisions have been made. Traffic from the E&W branch can currently be interchanged to CN, although it is a long and winding pathway involving several different switching moves and trains enroute to CN interchange. Installing a connection between the lines will eliminate several days of travel for railcars between customers and CN.
In other news, the GLOR's Elkhart and Western Branch has been in the news, as county officials as well as the officials from the GLOR have been granted funding to potentially extend the Elkhart branch to the CN mainline. Currently the study has been funded, but no decisions have been made. Traffic from the E&W branch can currently be interchanged to CN, although it is a long and winding pathway involving several different switching moves and trains enroute to CN interchange. Installing a connection between the lines will eliminate several days of travel for railcars between customers and CN.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR management is in talks to possibly return another long dormant portion of railroad to service. The former NKP line from Walkerton, IN north to Stillwell, IN has been out of service for many years. There is the possibility, as part of a larger potential agreement, to rebuild this portion of the line to access the Chicago, South Shore trackage in Stillwell. This, via the connection with the CSS, would provide additional access into Chicago for the GLOR.
GLOR is also looking at an agreement with Anacostia Holdings, the owner of the CSS as well as many other railroads across the country. This agreement could be a merger agreement, or a purchase agreement, but final details still need to be worked out. If the GLOR were to purchase / merge this line, and rebuild the portion from Walkerton to Stillwell, the GLOR system, via the Rochester Argos and Northern, would thus have access to Chicago not only via the former Chicago Fort Wayne and Eastern line to the IHB, but also via the CSS to the BRC and all major connections in Chicago, as well as several additional smaller lines, some of which may also be in discussions for a future GLOR purchase.
GLOR is also looking at an agreement with Anacostia Holdings, the owner of the CSS as well as many other railroads across the country. This agreement could be a merger agreement, or a purchase agreement, but final details still need to be worked out. If the GLOR were to purchase / merge this line, and rebuild the portion from Walkerton to Stillwell, the GLOR system, via the Rochester Argos and Northern, would thus have access to Chicago not only via the former Chicago Fort Wayne and Eastern line to the IHB, but also via the CSS to the BRC and all major connections in Chicago, as well as several additional smaller lines, some of which may also be in discussions for a future GLOR purchase.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR's parent company will indeed be purchasing Anacostia Rail Holdings, the company that owns among other companies, the Chicago South Shore and South Bend, the New York and Atlantic and the Louisville and Indiana Railways.
The current plan is the the GLOR, upon approval of this deal, to take over the Chicago South Shore and South Bend, while the other operations will remain as independent operations. This will also pave the way for the GLOR to purchase and rebuild the former NKP line between Walkerton, IN and Stillwell, IN to connect the RAN and the CSS lines. This would give the GLOR, via trackage rights over their subsidiary company the RAN, access to Chicago via the CSS and IHB lines.
The exact motivation for this move does not appear clear given the fact the GLOR has recently agreed to the merger with the G&W's Indiana and Illinois lines and will have connections either directly or via trackage rights with every other Class 1 rail system.
It will be very interesting to see what the STB does regarding this agreement in light of the fact they are currently reviewing two different major acquisitions from the GLOR, as well as several different additional minor agreements.
In other news, the preperation work to reconnect the Newburgh and South Shore line to the Wheeling and Lake Erie line across the NS line is underway. The area is being cleared and preperation work is underway on the Newburgh and South Shore line to clear back vegitation towards the location the diamond will be installed.
There have been no additional moves in the locomotive purchase area, as the GLOR feels their current roster of locomotives, as well as those that will be acquired in ongoing agreements will be sufficient to properly staff the railroad.
In regards to the GLOR's merger agreements and the previously held STB hearings, the STB has not officials announced decisions on the agreements, however there have been hints that at least one decision will be handed down prior to the end of 2024, if not both agreements.
The sugar beets harveest has been well underway, with the SB trains making daily huals between the sugar beet loading sites and the Michigan Sugar plants. It appears this year may be a record in terms of carloads of sugar beets handled over the GLOR.
The current plan is the the GLOR, upon approval of this deal, to take over the Chicago South Shore and South Bend, while the other operations will remain as independent operations. This will also pave the way for the GLOR to purchase and rebuild the former NKP line between Walkerton, IN and Stillwell, IN to connect the RAN and the CSS lines. This would give the GLOR, via trackage rights over their subsidiary company the RAN, access to Chicago via the CSS and IHB lines.
The exact motivation for this move does not appear clear given the fact the GLOR has recently agreed to the merger with the G&W's Indiana and Illinois lines and will have connections either directly or via trackage rights with every other Class 1 rail system.
It will be very interesting to see what the STB does regarding this agreement in light of the fact they are currently reviewing two different major acquisitions from the GLOR, as well as several different additional minor agreements.
In other news, the preperation work to reconnect the Newburgh and South Shore line to the Wheeling and Lake Erie line across the NS line is underway. The area is being cleared and preperation work is underway on the Newburgh and South Shore line to clear back vegitation towards the location the diamond will be installed.
There have been no additional moves in the locomotive purchase area, as the GLOR feels their current roster of locomotives, as well as those that will be acquired in ongoing agreements will be sufficient to properly staff the railroad.
In regards to the GLOR's merger agreements and the previously held STB hearings, the STB has not officials announced decisions on the agreements, however there have been hints that at least one decision will be handed down prior to the end of 2024, if not both agreements.
The sugar beets harveest has been well underway, with the SB trains making daily huals between the sugar beet loading sites and the Michigan Sugar plants. It appears this year may be a record in terms of carloads of sugar beets handled over the GLOR.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
The agreement between the GLOR and CN for Lang Yard and the Shoreline Subdivision has been finalized. GLOR will purchase the Shoreline Subdivision from Lang Yard to FN Tower, as well as purchasing approximately 50% of Lang Yard from CN. CN will retain trackage rights to and from Lang Yard. GLOR will assume trackage rights over CN from FN Tower to Port Huron to provide access to the GLOR's Port Huron and Detroit Railroad. GLOR will relenquish trackage rights between Durand and Port Huron over the Flint Subdivision, including the interchange rights with LSRC (which were rarely used).
In additional discussions with CN, GLOR has been talking with CN about purchasing the SSM to Green Bay portion of CN across Michigan's UP. This will not be happening. GLOR felt the potential price that CN wanted for the line was significantly higher than what GLOR was willing to pay. GLOR's E&LS Railroad will still have trackage rights over the CN from Escanaba to SSM while CN will maintain trackage rights from the former CN Ore Subdivision specifically for ore trains coming out of Tilden Mine. CN will also maintain trackage rights over the SSAC between Hearst, ONT and SSM.
Finally, also related to the CN/SSAC/GLOR discussion, the planned location for the Algoma Steel / Michigan Seemless Tube plant appears to have settled as being located northeast of Durand. This will provide CN with the haul of steel products from the Algoma Steel plant to be handed off to GLOR in Durand. GLOR will provide service to the plant directly. The current plans for the property show that the proerty will receiver approximately 50 carloads of steel per week, as well as additional carloads of chemicals and related products for processing to finished products. The plans, if approved, appear to target a mid-2026 operational date for the facility.
In additional discussions with CN, GLOR has been talking with CN about purchasing the SSM to Green Bay portion of CN across Michigan's UP. This will not be happening. GLOR felt the potential price that CN wanted for the line was significantly higher than what GLOR was willing to pay. GLOR's E&LS Railroad will still have trackage rights over the CN from Escanaba to SSM while CN will maintain trackage rights from the former CN Ore Subdivision specifically for ore trains coming out of Tilden Mine. CN will also maintain trackage rights over the SSAC between Hearst, ONT and SSM.
Finally, also related to the CN/SSAC/GLOR discussion, the planned location for the Algoma Steel / Michigan Seemless Tube plant appears to have settled as being located northeast of Durand. This will provide CN with the haul of steel products from the Algoma Steel plant to be handed off to GLOR in Durand. GLOR will provide service to the plant directly. The current plans for the property show that the proerty will receiver approximately 50 carloads of steel per week, as well as additional carloads of chemicals and related products for processing to finished products. The plans, if approved, appear to target a mid-2026 operational date for the facility.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR will be spinning off another operation to a subsidiary company on 1-1-2025. The Delta Terminal Railroad Company will take over the switching operations in an around Delta, OH.
GLOR was previously providing switching service to all customers with the exception of Gerald Grain Center, which NS was servicing. Traffic was interchanged with NS at the Delta Yards.
Effective 1-1-2025, The DTRC will assume all switching operations for customers located in Delta, including the Blue Scope Complex, Gerald Grain, Worthington, The GLOR's Car shops, Fulton County Processing, and Nova Steel Structural Tube. DTRC will also be responsible for the building up and breaking down of all GLOR traffic to and from Delta Yard, as well as trains for NS into and out of Delta.
As part of the switching agreement, GLOR will be purchasing the locomotives they have been using to switch the facilities.
MVPX #1201 SW1200RS
MVPX #1202 SW1200RS
MVPX #1203 SW1200
MVPX #1204 SW7RM
GMTX #702 SW8
RTEX #8138 ,SW1200RS lettered for Metal X
WS-12, Homebuilt locomotive
The locomotives will retain their current number and paint scheme as this time, as GLOR management has no desire to repaint these locomotives into a new paint scheme given their role as industrial switchers. They will however be given DTRC reporting marks to indicate the new ownership.
In addition, GLOR will be selling a set of additional locomotives to the DTRC to operate the GLOR Yard and switching customers off the GLOR mainline. These locomotives, unlike the other DTRC locomotives, will be re-lettered into the DTRC's version of the GLOR paint scheme. The units to be sold will be from the GLOR roster and retain their previous number.
DTRC #2020 GP38-2
DTRC #414 GP40M-2
DTRC #4004 SD40-2
DTRC #4022 SD40-2
Operations on the line will consist of 3 shifts, DEL-1, DEL-2 and DEL-3. Additionally, DEL-4 will be an extra crew which may work any shift at any location across the complexes. Any shift may complete any work at any point across the system.
As part of this agreement, NS has granted DTRC trackage rights as needed to provide service. NS will continue to run a local from Swanton to Delta and return to interchange cars with the DTRC as well as running grain trains to and from Gerald Grain Center, which DTRC crews will load on the loop track. DTRC crews will also, per the previous agreement continue to provide service to the other customers within Delta proper, including the small grain elevator and fertilizer dealer and Industrial Rapair and Manufacturing, who recently reconnected their spur to the mainline. To provide service to these customers, NS had previously granted GLOR crews trackage rights to the US20A bridge.
Interchange between the DTRC and NS will continue to occur in the yard on the north side of the NS mainline tracks.
GLOR trains being switched by DTRC crews will be left on the GLOR main, with DTRC crews breaking down and building trains on the GLOR main and the GLOR yard on the south side of the NS Mainline.
GLOR was previously providing switching service to all customers with the exception of Gerald Grain Center, which NS was servicing. Traffic was interchanged with NS at the Delta Yards.
Effective 1-1-2025, The DTRC will assume all switching operations for customers located in Delta, including the Blue Scope Complex, Gerald Grain, Worthington, The GLOR's Car shops, Fulton County Processing, and Nova Steel Structural Tube. DTRC will also be responsible for the building up and breaking down of all GLOR traffic to and from Delta Yard, as well as trains for NS into and out of Delta.
As part of the switching agreement, GLOR will be purchasing the locomotives they have been using to switch the facilities.
MVPX #1201 SW1200RS
MVPX #1202 SW1200RS
MVPX #1203 SW1200
MVPX #1204 SW7RM
GMTX #702 SW8
RTEX #8138 ,SW1200RS lettered for Metal X
WS-12, Homebuilt locomotive
The locomotives will retain their current number and paint scheme as this time, as GLOR management has no desire to repaint these locomotives into a new paint scheme given their role as industrial switchers. They will however be given DTRC reporting marks to indicate the new ownership.
In addition, GLOR will be selling a set of additional locomotives to the DTRC to operate the GLOR Yard and switching customers off the GLOR mainline. These locomotives, unlike the other DTRC locomotives, will be re-lettered into the DTRC's version of the GLOR paint scheme. The units to be sold will be from the GLOR roster and retain their previous number.
DTRC #2020 GP38-2
DTRC #414 GP40M-2
DTRC #4004 SD40-2
DTRC #4022 SD40-2
Operations on the line will consist of 3 shifts, DEL-1, DEL-2 and DEL-3. Additionally, DEL-4 will be an extra crew which may work any shift at any location across the complexes. Any shift may complete any work at any point across the system.
As part of this agreement, NS has granted DTRC trackage rights as needed to provide service. NS will continue to run a local from Swanton to Delta and return to interchange cars with the DTRC as well as running grain trains to and from Gerald Grain Center, which DTRC crews will load on the loop track. DTRC crews will also, per the previous agreement continue to provide service to the other customers within Delta proper, including the small grain elevator and fertilizer dealer and Industrial Rapair and Manufacturing, who recently reconnected their spur to the mainline. To provide service to these customers, NS had previously granted GLOR crews trackage rights to the US20A bridge.
Interchange between the DTRC and NS will continue to occur in the yard on the north side of the NS mainline tracks.
GLOR trains being switched by DTRC crews will be left on the GLOR main, with DTRC crews breaking down and building trains on the GLOR main and the GLOR yard on the south side of the NS Mainline.
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AARR
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Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
You are very close to having a Class 1 sized roster
PatC created a monster, 'cause nobody wants to see Don Simon no more they want AARR I'm chopped liver, well if you want AARR this is what I'll give ya, bad humor mixed with irrelevant info that'll make you roll your eyes quicker than a ~Z~ banhammer...
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
One of the reasons GLOR is spinning off several switching and end branches is to avoid having a Class 1 Railroad. It might be too late through, as revenue projections indicate that GLOR may be Class One upon approval of the current and anticipated agreements.
I will post updated locomotive rosters and related information for the GLOR and owned lines over the next couple weeks.
I will post updated locomotive rosters and related information for the GLOR and owned lines over the next couple weeks.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
GLOR management has decided to make another change to operations.
It was previously announced that upon completion of the refurbishment of the Coldwater to Sturgis portion of the Old Road, that the White Pigeon Subdivision of the Lake Michigan Division would be transfered and become part of the INER Division of the GLOR, as the White Pigeon Subdivision. This will be changing.
The GLOR management has decided that they will instead "spin off" the INER Division and the White Pigeon Subdivision into a different railroad. The railroad, for legal purposes, will be known as the Indiana and Northeastern Railway (as opposed to Railroad). The existing reporting marks, INER, will be used.
The railroad will differ from the other wholely owned subsidiary lines in 1 key respect. Unlike the rest of the lines spun off from the GLOR, where the units retained their GLOR inspired paint scheme, the INER will retain the current INER paint scheme, which as of this time, has not changed to the the GLOR paint scheme.
Previously the GLOR has established trackage rights between Monpieler, OH and Milan, MI to allow trains from the INER division to run to Erie Yard outside Toledo. These trackage rights will be transfered to the INER. In addition, the INER will obtain trackage rights over the GLOR and NS from White Pigeon to NS' Elkhart Yard. GLOR will obtain trackage rights over the INER's White Pigeon Subdivision between the junction into the White Pigeon Yard. This will allow GLOR to maintain a presence on the southern end of the railroad between Elkhart and White Pigeon, rather than having to operation this section from the yard in Kalamazoo.
The locomotive roster for the INER will consist of the following locomotives. Many of these locomotives have been operating on the White Pigeon Subdivision or the INER Division for an extended period of time.
#905 GP30M Retained NKP # and NKP Paint scheme
#906 GP30M Retained NKP # and NKP Paint scheme
#1601 GP7 – Still in INER Paint
#1602 GP9 – Still in INER Paint
#2185 GP30 – Still in INER Paint
#2216 GP7u – Still in INER Paint
#2230 GP30 – Still in INER Paint
#3084 SD40-2 – Still in INER Paint
#3125 SD40-2 – Still in INER Paint
#4007 SD40-2
#4009 SD40-2
#5903 GP9H – Still in INER Paint
#6001 SD60
#6008 SD60
#6302 SD40-2 (EX-Lake State #6302)
#6303 SD40-2 (EX-Lake State #6303)
In addition, the GLOR/INER has a long term lease on the following locomotive
DOTX #2000 - GP40-3
The INER will operate in a similar manner to what was operated prior to this decision and the connection between Strugis and Coldwater being rebuilt.
It was previously announced that upon completion of the refurbishment of the Coldwater to Sturgis portion of the Old Road, that the White Pigeon Subdivision of the Lake Michigan Division would be transfered and become part of the INER Division of the GLOR, as the White Pigeon Subdivision. This will be changing.
The GLOR management has decided that they will instead "spin off" the INER Division and the White Pigeon Subdivision into a different railroad. The railroad, for legal purposes, will be known as the Indiana and Northeastern Railway (as opposed to Railroad). The existing reporting marks, INER, will be used.
The railroad will differ from the other wholely owned subsidiary lines in 1 key respect. Unlike the rest of the lines spun off from the GLOR, where the units retained their GLOR inspired paint scheme, the INER will retain the current INER paint scheme, which as of this time, has not changed to the the GLOR paint scheme.
Previously the GLOR has established trackage rights between Monpieler, OH and Milan, MI to allow trains from the INER division to run to Erie Yard outside Toledo. These trackage rights will be transfered to the INER. In addition, the INER will obtain trackage rights over the GLOR and NS from White Pigeon to NS' Elkhart Yard. GLOR will obtain trackage rights over the INER's White Pigeon Subdivision between the junction into the White Pigeon Yard. This will allow GLOR to maintain a presence on the southern end of the railroad between Elkhart and White Pigeon, rather than having to operation this section from the yard in Kalamazoo.
The locomotive roster for the INER will consist of the following locomotives. Many of these locomotives have been operating on the White Pigeon Subdivision or the INER Division for an extended period of time.
#905 GP30M Retained NKP # and NKP Paint scheme
#906 GP30M Retained NKP # and NKP Paint scheme
#1601 GP7 – Still in INER Paint
#1602 GP9 – Still in INER Paint
#2185 GP30 – Still in INER Paint
#2216 GP7u – Still in INER Paint
#2230 GP30 – Still in INER Paint
#3084 SD40-2 – Still in INER Paint
#3125 SD40-2 – Still in INER Paint
#4007 SD40-2
#4009 SD40-2
#5903 GP9H – Still in INER Paint
#6001 SD60
#6008 SD60
#6302 SD40-2 (EX-Lake State #6302)
#6303 SD40-2 (EX-Lake State #6303)
In addition, the GLOR/INER has a long term lease on the following locomotive
DOTX #2000 - GP40-3
The INER will operate in a similar manner to what was operated prior to this decision and the connection between Strugis and Coldwater being rebuilt.
Re: Great Lakes and Ohio River Railroad
I'm not sure if this had been previously announced, but GLOR and CN have been working on a slight adjustment to the track layout at Pittsburg Jct near Durand.
Currently, the two track Holly Subdivision, from just south of the depot to Pittsburg Jct ends with a switch to a single main and then the GLOR mainline to Howell branches off just south of this point.
The current arrangement is being maintained, with the addition of approximately 400 feet of connecting track connecting the siding directly to the GLOR mainline. This will allow GLOR trains to access thier mainline from both tracks coming out of Durand. While CN will still be dispatching this line, as GLOR runs on trackage rights over the line, GLOR will be paying for the additional trackage and signal upgrades.
This work will increases the efficienct for trains operating over the segment by not requiring trains on the siding to stop and wait before accessing the GLOR mainline, and not requring GLOR trains to stop and wait to access CN's Holly Subdivision. The longest GLOR trains, approximately 1 mile in length have been known to block Prior Rd, south of the junction while waiting for clearance to access CN's Holly Subdivision. If a longer delay was expected, GLOR has been known to hold trains on the main between Cole and Lehring Rd's where there is 1.5 miles of mainline track available to avoid blocking a crossing. Unfortunately, there is still the possibility to block a crossing, as New Lothrop Rd does cross the Holly Subdivision in the middle of the siding. What this project will do is allow increased operational efficency by limiting the time trains are completely stopped for extended periods waiting to access or pass through Durand.
There is an additional project also planned for the Durand area to help with the efficiency of traffic into and out of Durand.
The GLOR's line from Bay City and Saginaw current uses the Port Huron Wye to access the CN main to back into the yard. This operation is known to tie up the CN mainline. As a result, GLOR and CN will be adding a third track east of the diamond to connect to the CN main and the wye. This track will run approximately 1.7 miles, from just west of Monroe St, to the Port Huron Wye. The Port Huron Wye will be rerouted onto the siding, however there will be a switch to connect the siding to the CN mainline just east of the current connection between the PH Wye and the CN mainline. The addition of this siding is expected to add flexibility for both CN trains interchanging cars in Durand Yard and the GLOR trains pulling south from the Saginaw Division.
Currently, the two track Holly Subdivision, from just south of the depot to Pittsburg Jct ends with a switch to a single main and then the GLOR mainline to Howell branches off just south of this point.
The current arrangement is being maintained, with the addition of approximately 400 feet of connecting track connecting the siding directly to the GLOR mainline. This will allow GLOR trains to access thier mainline from both tracks coming out of Durand. While CN will still be dispatching this line, as GLOR runs on trackage rights over the line, GLOR will be paying for the additional trackage and signal upgrades.
This work will increases the efficienct for trains operating over the segment by not requiring trains on the siding to stop and wait before accessing the GLOR mainline, and not requring GLOR trains to stop and wait to access CN's Holly Subdivision. The longest GLOR trains, approximately 1 mile in length have been known to block Prior Rd, south of the junction while waiting for clearance to access CN's Holly Subdivision. If a longer delay was expected, GLOR has been known to hold trains on the main between Cole and Lehring Rd's where there is 1.5 miles of mainline track available to avoid blocking a crossing. Unfortunately, there is still the possibility to block a crossing, as New Lothrop Rd does cross the Holly Subdivision in the middle of the siding. What this project will do is allow increased operational efficency by limiting the time trains are completely stopped for extended periods waiting to access or pass through Durand.
There is an additional project also planned for the Durand area to help with the efficiency of traffic into and out of Durand.
The GLOR's line from Bay City and Saginaw current uses the Port Huron Wye to access the CN main to back into the yard. This operation is known to tie up the CN mainline. As a result, GLOR and CN will be adding a third track east of the diamond to connect to the CN main and the wye. This track will run approximately 1.7 miles, from just west of Monroe St, to the Port Huron Wye. The Port Huron Wye will be rerouted onto the siding, however there will be a switch to connect the siding to the CN mainline just east of the current connection between the PH Wye and the CN mainline. The addition of this siding is expected to add flexibility for both CN trains interchanging cars in Durand Yard and the GLOR trains pulling south from the Saginaw Division.
Last edited by chapmaja on Fri Nov 15, 2024 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.