Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Sub forum for Paper Railroads
User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

Acquired from the defunct Lenawee County Railroad (LCRR) started service in 1993. Their line started in Ottawa Lake and a connection with Conrail to Clinton (approximately 27 miles), the Morenci Branch from Grosvenor Jct. to Morenci (approximately 18.5 miles) and the Adrian Branch from Lenawee Jct. west of Adrian to Sand Creek Hwy. (approximately 8 miles) for a total of 53.5 miles.

The track between Ottawa Lake and Riga (approximately 4.3 miles) was in place but not in use. A short section of track was removed on the east side of Riga that would have to be reconnected to go to Ottawa Lake. The same situation existed at Raisin Center Rd. where a short segment of track was removed northwest of the diamond with NS which landlocked the branch to Clinton (11.7 miles). On the Morenci Branch there was a washout between Grosvenor and Ogden that landlocked the rest of the branch (14 miles). At start up only 23.5 miles of track was useable.

They interchanged with GTW (later IORY) at Riga and NS in Adrian (on the former DT&I Tecumseh Branch).

LCRR had not operated for several years so there were no customers at the time of start up.

LCRR's engines (a couple old Alco's) were stored unserviceable.

A pair of GP9's were acquired from GTW, 4545 & 4554. Both were built in 1957, 4545 for GTW and 4554 for Central Vermont (CV). 4554 still had dynamic brake blisters but they were deactivated. They bought a 3rd GTW GP9 in the late 1990's, 4139, which was built in 1957 (4541) but wrecked and rebuilt and renumbered in 1959.

Four customers were fairly quick to resume rail service despite no service for several years:
- OmniSource was soon shipping 7-11 cars per week. They would get two blocks of 3-6 cars a week, load them then ship them out quickly.
- Stephens Lumber received 1-3 cars per month.
- MAC in Blissfield shipped 1,000-1,400 cars per year in small blocks up to 50 car units.
- Terra east of Blissfield received 25-30 cars a year of some dry but mostly liquid fertilizer.
The train crew operated typically three times per week and up to five when a large block was loaded at MAC.

Within a year the line to Morenci was reopened adding two customers:
- MAC's feed and seed plant in Jasper received feed (1-2 cars per week) and shipped seed in box cars (1-2 cars per week).
- Akzo in Weston received 1-2 cars per week of chemicals
There were no other customers past Weston but the line to Morenci was left in place.

After a court battle with NS the line northwest of Raisin Rd. to Clinton was reopened. That added two more customers:
- Wacker Chemical south of Tecumseh received 5-7 cars a week of chemicals including a very dense chemical that arrives in their specially made mini-tank cars.
- Libbey-Owens in Clinton received 1-2 cars a week of resin used in the manufacturing of film for glass plate production.

Stay tuned...
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

In the late 1990's when CSX and NS were dividing CR, TOAD used the opportunity in exchange for its agreement to acquire and reopen the line from Ottawa Lake into Toledo. They picked up the huge ADM grain elevator in Ottawa Lake. ADM shipped up to 3,500 cars per year in mostly 50 car unit trains. Most weeks there was at least one or two 50 car blocks to load.

It was at this time that GTW GP9 4139 was acquired and service increased to at least five and sometime six days a week. It took all three GP9's to pull a 50 car block from grain from either MAC in Blissfield or ADM in Ottawa Lake.

Shortly after NS acquired its share of CR, interchange was switched from Adrian (via the Adrian Connector, former DT&I Tecumseh Branch) to Toledo. The Adrian Connector was to remain in place but unused for now.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

In 2002 Solvay Polymers built a plastic plant that manufacturers gas tanks on the west side of Adrian. From the start it would receive 3-4 cars per week and when busy a 5th car. Service is typically twice a week.

It was around this time that TOAD acquired a pair of GP38's and SD38's from CR. They were upgraded to -3 specifications. The GP's have dynamic brakes but the SD's do not. The GP9's were either scrapped or sold.

The track on the entire line west of Ottawa Lake was in poor condition. Trains were limited to 5-10 mph and even then derailments were frequent. With the assistance of State Aid the line was upgraded with heavier (but jointed) rail and new ballast between MAC in Blissfield to the Adrian Connector in Adrian. Progress was slow and speeds still capped at 10 mph but derailments were eliminated on the renovated track. It took seven years to go 10 miles. Just as they finished, the line into Toledo was acquired. From Ottawa Lake to Toledo was in great shape and capable of sustaining speeds of 25 mph. But the line from Ottawa Lake to Riga (4.3 miles) was horrid and had not seen a train in over 15 years and from Riga to MAC in Blissfield (3 miles) rated at 5mph. NS, still a little butt sore over the Raisin River Crossing law suit a few years earlier, would not interchange cars in Adrian once TOAD acquired the line to Toledo. The line between MAC and the Adrian Connector had been rehabbed and better able to handle 50 car unit trains although it was inconvenient to exchange trains due to the arrangement of the Connector.

So with more fund and loan applications TOAD went to work upgrading the track from Blissfield to Ottawa Lake (7.3 miles).

More to come.....
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

It took another five years to upgrade the 7.3 miles of track between Blissfield and Ottawa Lake. Then there was good ballast and track from the Adrian Connector into Toledo, just under 30 miles. Even though the track was rated for 25 mph unit grain trains usually were limited to 10 mph and shorter freights 15 mph. The track on the Clinton and Morenci Branches were still rated at 5mph but had been shored up enough that due to light traffic derailments were infrequent. On the Morenci Branch, the track south of Weston (7.2 miles) was still in place but out of service.

There was a lot of activity between 2005-2010, some bad and some good.
- ADM increased unit train size from 50 to 75 cars.
- Ottawa Lake Coop opened up large bulk dry and liquid terminals. Several spurs were built that could accommodate and unload up to 10 cars. Inbound dry and liquid fertilizer, deicer and salt were soon being delivered. The number of cars varied year to year because sometimes they will get this in by truck but in a good year up to 140 cars can be delivered.
- An ethanol plant was built east of Blissfield. Inbound corn has been very steady at around 30 cars per week average. IORY will deliver 15 car blocks but NS will deliver larger ones up to 50 cars. DDG has been steady at around two to three 10 car blocks per week to IORY at Riga. Ethanol shipments has varied significantly. There have been times nothing was shipped by rail and others their entire output (about 36 cars per week) would be shipped in a unit to IORY. These larger blocks would be set out on IORY's Petersburg Siding nine miles east of Riga. The average seemed to be about 8-12 cars a week.
- MAC expanded its capacity and increased shipments from 1,000-1,400 per year to a potential 1,800. However, MAC was an investor in the above mentioned ethanol plant and much of its corn was trucked there so actual rail shipments dropped to around 750-1,000. MAC also started receiving 75 car unit blocks for loading.
- Tecumseh Packaging Solutions opened a small warehouse across the street along TOADS tracks. Boxcars of cardboard feedstock would be unloaded there and hi-lowed across the street to the plant. They forecasted 6-9 cars a week. Typically they needed to be switched three times per week.
- Libbey Owens closed its plant in 2009 ending resin deliveries.
- GM closed several nearby stamping plants. Although they were serviced by other railroads their scrap metal was processed at OmniSource in Adrian and shipped out by rail on TOAD. Traffic dropped from 7-11 cars per week to 2-5.
- A biofuel plant was built on the west side of Adrian. They used soybeans as their feed stock. They shipped 9-12 cars per week initially.

More to come.....
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

The years from 2010 to 2019 were mostly stable with reliable and solid traffic numbers.

All four 38's performed exceptionally. They are excellent pullers at lower speeds and easy to maintain.

The track from Toledo to Adrian is rated at 25 mph and can handle 286,000 lbs cars. This will benefit both grain elevators. It would also have benefitted the ethanol plant but they shutdown in 2018. For now it is called a temporary closing due to lack of business. In the meantime the Airgas Dry Ice terminal is receiving 13-17 cars per week of carbon dioxide from CN/IORY.

The branch lines to Morenci and west of Adrian are rated at 5 mph although derailments are infrequent. MAC in Jasper and Silbond (which acquired the former Akzo plant) in Weston are fine with the 263,000 lbs cars/track and 5 mph speed limits. There is still no business south of Weston into Morenci and TOAD is considering offers to turn it into a bike path. For now it is used as long-term car storage up to 500 cars.

The branch to Tecumseh is being upgraded at a slow pace to handle 286,000 lbs cars. 60' hi-cube box cars are becoming the norm to the card board plant and HMI Hardwoods in Clinton, a new customer, wants to receive its logs in 286,000 car bulkhead flats. With bigger and heavier cars Tecumseh Packaging Solutions will see the same tonnage in fewer cars, 5-7 per week, while HMI will receive 2-4 cars a month. Wacker remains steady at 5-7 cars per week but will also benefit from heavier rail by being able to receive some of its chemicals in 30,000 gallon cars. They are also going to invest in a larger 40' tank car (5-6 of them) to replace the smaller ones that carry a very unique and dense chemical.

Omnisource continues to ship 2-5 cars per week but now mostly in 286,000 lbs cars. A few of those cars, usually 1-2 per month, go to the steel plant in Delta OH. The rest go to points on NS.

Stephenson Lumber in Adrian sold and Big C who uses a rail yard off CN in Edwardsburg, MI. However, a local homebuilder was sold on using the apron part of the spur to receive its lumber and is receiving 1-3 cars a month of lumber.

Solvay Polymers has sold several times and is now operated by Plastic Omnium. They continue to receive 3-4 cars most weeks and sometimes a 5th when very busy.

The biofuel plant is now owned by W2 Fuel. They were closed for a few years but are running again but shipping more by truck. they still account for 3-4 cars a week.

More to come, 2020 to present.....
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

The years 2020 to present are solid with some challenges.

Both sets of 38's continue to perform well and will be overhauled soon.

The line from Toledo to Adrian Connector is rated for 286,000 lbs cars and 25 mph.

The Morenci Branch is rated for 263,000 lbs cars and 5 mph to Weston. It is fine for the two customers and their weekly service. It averages about 3-6 cars per week. From Weston to Morenci will be sold to a Rails to Trails group.

The Clinton Branch is rated for 286,000 lbs cars and 25 mph. Wacker Chemical, Tecumseh Packaging Solutions and HMI utilize 286 cars. Typically service is twice a week and averages 11-15 cars per week.

The Adrian Branch from the Adrian Connector to end of line is rated for 286,000 lbs cars but at 5 mph. Service is usually once a week but occasionally twice. Both customers account for an average of 6-8 cars per week.

The one mile Adrian Connector, which hasn't been used as an interchange track in 20 years, will be sold to a Rails to Trails group.

More later about the main trunk from Toledo to Adrian.....
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

On the main trunk between Toledo and Adrian proper:
- A new chemical customer was picked up near the border of Sylvania called Canberra. Their spur lies on the old TA&W line that went to Vulcan. They receive 1-2 cars per week.

- ADM continues to be the largest customer shipping 2,500-3,300 cars per year in mostly larger blocks of 50-100 cars (85 is most common). 286,000 lbs cars are frequently used. ADM has an older Alco switcher for in-plant switching.

- Ottawa Lake Co-op continues to receive dry and liquid fertilizer, deicer and salt. Car numbers vary because they will still use trucks when convenient but in a good year they will receive upward to 150 cars.

- The ethanol plant is still "temporarily closed" (since 2018) but the Air Gas/Dry Ice company receives 13-17 cars a week of carbon dioxide from IORY/CN.

- The small fertilizer terminal is on its 3rd or 4th owner, Crop Production Services, and still receives 25-30 cars annually of mostly liquid nitrogen.

- MAC in Blissfield has expanded several times and will ship 1,325-1,765 cars per year. If the ethanol plant was still operating these numbers would be considerably lower as a lot of their corn would be shipped there.

- The lumber team track in Adrian still gets 1-3 cars a month for a local home builder.

- Omnisource continues to ship 2-5 cars per week to mostly NS in Toledo although 1-2 cars a month are interchanged with IORY for the huge steel plant in Delta, OH.

5,650-7,910 cars are forecasted for 2022. Service remains at five and sometimes six days per week. TOAD is a good neighbor and does its best to accommodate requests to perform unit train switching and shipping during low traffic times.

At this time there is the beginnings of conversations about reopening the line in Sylvania to Silica/Vulcan (8 miles) to access the rich aggregate and silica mines.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

The engine house is in Adrian but crew starts can take place anywhere on the line. Typically they make it into Toledo three times per week.

They try to switch the branch lines (Adrian, Clinton and Weston) on the same days every week. Tecumseh/Clinton is currently switched Tuesday and Friday. Jasper/Weston on Wednesday and Adrian Monday and Thursday.

When a unit grain train arrives in Toledo (NS) the goal is to return it loaded with 48 hours.

Unit grain from IORY (CN or CSX), although infrequent, when they do happen they try to get it back to IORY with 24 hours so IORY can return it to its connection within 48 hours. Petersburg Siding, about 9 miles east of Riga is often where unit grain trains are set out/picked up on IORY.

General freight from IORY is usually set out/picked up from the short Riga siding which can hold about 12 60' cars.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

Ex-GP9 Engine Roster

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 4139
Model: EMD GP9 Built As: GTW 4139 (GP9)
Serial Number: 25433 Order No: 8062
Frame Number: 8062-1 Built: 5/1959
Other locos with this serial: GTW 4139(GP9)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 4545
Model: EMD GP9 Built As: GTW 4545 (GP9)
Serial Number: 22853 Order No: 5513
Frame Number: 5513-7 Built: 3/1957
Other locos with this serial: GTW 4545(GP9)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 45454
Model: EMD GP9 Built As: CV 4554 (GP9)
Serial Number: 22843 Order No: 5512
Frame Number: 5512-8 Built: 3/1957
Notes: ex-CV
Other locos with this serial: GTW 4554(GP9) CV 4554 (GP9)
Image
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

Current Roster

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 2029
Model: EMD GP38 Built As: PC 7769 (GP38)
Serial Number: 35398 Order No: 7191
Frame Number: 7191-95 Built: 9/1969
Notes: Acquired in 2002
Other locos with this serial: PLE 2029(GP38) CR 7769(GP38) PC 7769(GP38)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 2039
Model: EMD GP38 Built As: PC 7782 (GP38)
Serial Number: 35411 Order No: 7191
Frame Number: 7191-108 Built: 9/1969
Notes: Acquired in 2002
Other locos with this serial: PLE 2039(GP38) CR 7782(GP38) PC 7782(GP38)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 3800
Model: EMD SD38 Built As: PC 6925 (SD38)
Serial Number: 36406 Order No: 7264
Frame Number: 7264-1 Built: 4/1970
Notes: Acquired in 2000
Other locos with this serial: NS 3800(SD38) CR 6925(SD38) PC 6925(SD38)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian 3812
Model: EMD SD38 Built As: PC 6946 (SD38)
Serial Number: 36427 Order No: 7264
Frame Number: 7264-22 Built: 4/1970
Notes: Acquired in 2000
Other locos with this serial: NS 3812(SD38) CR 6946(SD38) PC 6946(SD38)
Image
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

TOAD is running smoothly. Traffic is brisk and in particular the two elevators have been busy unloading their crops preparing for the summer corn. Unit trains of grain primarily arrive from NS in Toledo in 85 car blocks but an occasional 90 or 110 car unit train arrives at Riga (Petersburg siding is the exchange point) too.

Both pairs of 38's will need overhauling soon. They serve TOAD well with excellent pulling power at low speeds and low maintenance needs.

The ethanol plant is still "temporally" shutdown (since 2019) until the price for ethanol increases to the point to justify running it. For now carbon dioxide business is strong averaging 13-17 cars per week. These cars arrive from CN/IORY.

TOAD is financially strong, profitable and able to maintain its track without subsidies.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

Both elevators, MAC in Blissfield and ADM in Ottawa Lake have shipped multiple 85 car unit trains of corn recently. The empties are picked up in Toledo and pulled to the respective elevator for loading. The goal is to have the loads back in Toledo 24 hours after picking them up from Toledo. TOAD’s usual consist to pull an 85-car loaded grain train is the two SD38-3’s and one of the GP38-3’s. By utilizing two crews the 85-car blocks are typically loaded in under 10 hours and its rare that TOAD does not have the cars back to NS within the 24-hour curfew.

MAC still ships a small block of 10-cars of wheat about once a month to a mill located on IORY. But most of their shipments are unit trains of 85 cars and an occasional 90-110 car unit train.

The ethanol plant east of Blissfield remains “temporarily” closed (since 2018) but inbound carbon dioxide is brisk averaging 13-17 cars per week.

The crews start around 7am most days. The engine house is in Adrian but quite often they are trucked to their train parked somewhere on the line. Getting the crew back to Adrian by the end of the shift is not a priority. They work five days per week and often on weekends when there are large grain trains to load.

TOAD is tolerant of railfans but when they first took over some equipment in Blissfield and Lenawee Jct. were damaged so, please sign in at the office in Adrian and do not go on the equipment or tracks. Also, by checking in at the office you can be informed where the train is starting out that day and maybe even get a brief report where they will be working.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

A lot has happened recently.

First, TOAD belongs to a family of railroads including TOAD, WDIN, DIND, PHIN, LIND, PONB, JAIL and CHIN.

Secondly, all four 38’s were removed by the former owner and the new roster is:
Owner: Toledo & Adrian
Model: EMD GP9R Built As: CV 4554 (GP9)
Serial Number: 22843
Order No: 5512
Frame Number: 5512-8 Built: 3/1957
Notes:
Other locos with this serial: TOAD 1752 (GP9R) ADBF 1752(GP9) ADBF 2(GP9) GTW 4554(GP9) CV4554 (GP9)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian
Model: Rebuilt EMD GP9R Built As: PRR 7125 (GP9)
Serial Number: 23325
Order No: 5541
Frame Number: 5541-21 Built: 6/1957
Notes:
Other locos with this serial: TOAD 1755 (GP9R) ADBF 1755(GP9R) MCER 7125(GP9) CR 7125(GP9) PRR 7125 (GP9)
Image

Owner: Toledo & Adrian
Model: Rebuilt EMD GP9R Built As: PRR 7093 (GP9)
Serial Number: 21898
Order No: 5461
Frame Number: 5461-44 Built: 11/1956
Notes: Ex-PRR
Other locos with this serial: TOAD 1759 (GP9R) ADBF 1759(GP9R) NHN 1759(GP9) CR 7093(GP9) PC 7093(GP9) PRR 7093(GP9)
Image

Thirdly the branch lines to Weston and Clinton are OOS. A wash out south of Grosvenor that will not be repaired due to low traffic volumes closed the Weston Branch. A derailment at Raisin Center Rd. caused NS to remove the crossing. The two major customers on the Clinton Branch, Wacker Chemical and Tecumseh Packaging Solutions, are satisfied transloading their products at other locations.

Typically, a crew operates on Tuesday and Friday. It is the same crew that work DIND (M&Th), PHIN (Sun&Wed) and LIND (Wed). A second crew that usually operates WDIN (T, Th & Sat) and PONB (Wed) handles unit grain trains (averages 2-4 per month between ADM at Ottawa Lake and MAC at Blissfield).

6,094 carloads were handled in 2022. 4,580-6,415 carloads are forecasted for 2023. With 36.2 miles of track TOAD is a cash cow and able to cover all expenses, invest and make a profit. Their Operating Ratio is between 30-40%.

Several short line railroad companies have made lucrative offers to buy but the owners of TOAD are not selling at this time.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

TOAD will begin operating a three-day regular schedule (up from two) due to an increase in carload traffic from ADM and MAC. Both elevators have indicated they will be shipping more cars in blocks of 25 cars or less. On average 20-30 cars per week (from both elevators combined) will move in the smaller blocks.

TOAD’s typical days of operation will be M, W, F. They will start in Adrian, work to the end of the Adrian Branch as necessary then make their way to Toledo working customers as necessary, exchange cars with NS at their Airline Yard, then head back to Adrian.

The interchange with IORY will be worked as well. When there are 12 or less cars, they will be spotted on Riga Siding. If they are exchanging 13 or more cars TOAD will get permission to go north on IORY to Petersburg Siding (approximately 8 miles north) and spot them there.

This crew will be available to work other TOAD lines on Sun (PHIN), T (WDIN), Th (WDIN) and Sat (WDIN). The same crew will be available to work CHIN which doesn’t have a regular workday but operates as needed (typically 2-5 times per month).
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

TOAD is now operating five days per week, Monday-Friday and weekends as necessary. This is due to both ADM and MAC contracting with TOAD to load their cars. It usually takes TOAD a full shift to pick up the cars from NS in Toledo and occasionally IORY at Petersburg Siding, run to the elevator, load and return the cars. Between ADM and MAC at least one, and occasionally both, elevators require switching each week.

Another transload customer is receiving cars at the mothballed ethanol plant. 6-9 cars a week of DDG will be unloaded there for local feed customers. With the shutting down of MI based ethanol plants the DDG market opened. The DDG is coming from a plant on the IORY system.

Another transload customer is opening on the former Wacker Chemical site in Adrian at the corners of Gulf St. and E. Michigan St. The plant was razed but the spur remains in place and Wacker still owns the property. The plant, when it was operating, was switched by NS on the east side. NS removed its switch after Wacker closed the plant. TOAD can access the spur through a switchback on the west side maneuver. The switchback tail has room for an engine and around three to four cars. Three to five cars per week will be received at Riga.

The 85 to 110 cars unit grain trains is difficult for the three GP9’s to pull. TOAD will use NS units to assist (at an additional cost) so TOAD is considering acquiring another engine or two. The GP9’s are rebuilt and are a great fit for the rest of the customers. TOAD is considering its options.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

TOAD is adding a fourth engine to their roster to assist with the unit grain trains that are loaded at Ottawa Lake (ADM) and Blissfield (MAC). It was being stored serviceable on MQT in Manistee, MI.
Owner: Illinois Midland Railroad
Model: Rebuilt EMD SD20 Built As: SOU 6316 (SD24)
Serial Number: 25665
Order No: 5606
Frame Number: 5606-39 Built: 1/1960
Other locos with this serial: CRGX 610(SD20) IMRR 81(SD20) CIM 81(SD20) IC 2022(SD20) ICG 2022(SD20) ICG 6316(SD24) SOU 6316(SD24)
Image

It will be put into service immediately and overhauled later.
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...

User avatar
AARR
Ann Arbor RR Nerd
Posts: 37905
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:39 pm
Location: Washington, MI

Re: Toledo & Adrian (TOAD)

Unread post by AARR »

TOAD has accepted an offer from a new company, Transportation Holdings LLC. under their Adrian & Toledo (ADTO) division. This will include CHIN, DIND, JAIL and LIND.

TOAD worked hard to meet the 100 cars per one mile of track per year profitability level and felt that it would be in better hands with a professional short line company that has more operational experience and finances to invest. The transition dates is forecasted for 10/1/23.

Get your pictures of the venerable GP9’s while you can. The new owner will probably be replacing them soon with 38’s or 40’s and possibly SD units.
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...

Post Reply