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Rail train has arrived in Defiance. 136# SDI stick rail. Ties are staged all over on the line between Defiance and Woodburn. Giant pile next to my house in Antwerp. New Gates installed several places.

What would the reason be for them to continue using stick rail over CWR? Is it purely a cost decision?

Chip wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:27 am

What would the reason be for them to continue using stick rail over CWR? Is it purely a cost decision?

CWR is expensive and seems to be harder/more expensive to repair.

I'd also think that stick rail might be more appropriate for the type of repairs they're trying to do. Lets say for example the rebuild area is a mix of 90 and 110 lb rail. They may chose to focus on the 90, and keep the 110 (for now) and then get the 110 as part of the next round of improvements. Conversely if it was CWR, they're pretty well limited to a "ground up" repair for 1/4 mile segments. Also consider that the stick rail can always be field welded if situations warrant. So, long story short, the stick rail gives them more flexibility and options than 1/4 mile CWR would.

Scott Taipale just dropped this video a few days ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB758Jb-aYc

I like Scott's videos

jrgerber wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:03 am

Scott Taipale just dropped this video a few days ago.

I was out with the wife today on a day trip, noticed that they had ties laid out along the line just to the west of Defiance, there were also crews out working on a Sunday, never got a chance to get any pics, will try tomorrow if I get the chance

jrgerber wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:03 am

Scott Taipale just dropped this video a few days ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB758Jb-aYc

OK, I am going to watch Scott's video soon! I have not been to this railroad since January 2015! I did not capture the ATSF "Bluebonnet" locos yet!!!! When did they arrive?
I have always wanted to!!!! OK, 3001 is now repainted! Is PREX 2026 still "Bluebonnet?" I at least want to get this before it is repainted! Hopefully it is not yet!!!! Now, I actually am looking at coming here in early December! Where can I capture GP20 2026? It would be nice to get it at the worst track still on the line! Where are the worst sections of track? Though, it is good to see progress! It's amazing how bad the track still is!!!!!

More Ohio grant money to fix the portion of the line from Defiance to Napoleon:

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/ ... ine--65242

Looks like thing are really progressing on the track rehab west of Defiance, while I haven't followed the whole line, I've noticed the segment that I cross on my way to/from work everyday, the track looks pretty level and I noticed that their are tie plates laying in between the rail.

jrgerber wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:07 pm

More Ohio grant money to fix the portion of the line from Defiance to Napoleon:

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/ ... ine--65242

So with the big 10 million dollar project and this, how much of the existing railroad will essentially be rebuilt? Not counting the OOS portion over US-24 what would remain to be fixed? I assume Pioneer will run 25mph on this line when all said and done?

I think there are still segments between Defiance and Napoleon that need to be upgraded. The bulk of the grant work has been done between on the Indiana to Defiance segment. On some segments I think you are right they could go 25 MPH.

The focus has been west of Defiance, but that part was always worse than east of Defiance to Napoleon. Of more importance than the 25 mph speed is the ability to handle 286K cars and dropping the number of derailments. As for east of 24, that part was harvested for rail etc. for use on the rest of the line, so it'd be a ground up rebuild, and the only way I'd see that happening is if either the the high speed passenger train thing (Chicago-Toledo via Fort Wayne) ever comes to fruition, or if a major industry decides to locate between Napoleon and Liberty Center - so, while not impossible, it's not likely in the near term either.

If they truly have removed the track east of 24, that could make it easy for someone to file an adverse abandonment petition with the Surface Transportation Board.

DaveO wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:10 pm

If they truly have removed the track east of 24, that could make it easy for someone to file an adverse abandonment petition with the Surface Transportation Board.

It looks like the track is out and crossings paved over just east of this pin:

Dropped pin
https://goo.gl/maps/ghm4cXbR1CYHYHwy9

LansingRailFan wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:16 pm

DaveO wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:10 pm

If they truly have removed the track east of 24, that could make it easy for someone to file an adverse abandonment petition with the Surface Transportation Board.

It looks like the track is out and crossings paved over just east of this pin:

Dropped pin
https://goo.gl/maps/ghm4cXbR1CYHYHwy9

Looks like they're removed all the way through Liberty Center and all of the crossings are paved over.

Correct. The last revenue movement at Liberty Center was unloading firebrick for the steel mill in Delta, IIRC.

Chip wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:16 pm

LansingRailFan wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:16 pm

DaveO wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:10 pm

If they truly have removed the track east of 24, that could make it easy for someone to file an adverse abandonment petition with the Surface Transportation Board.

It looks like the track is out and crossings paved over just east of this pin:

Dropped pin
https://goo.gl/maps/ghm4cXbR1CYHYHwy9

Looks like they're removed all the way through Liberty Center and all of the crossings are paved over.

The STB gave Pioneer permission to take that segment of the line out of service under docket# AB_1245_0_X back in 2016.

Scott's new video 8 days ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFR8Vz5QtAk

Glad to see the Fort Wayne Railfan board back up. A few ND&W threads:

http://www.fwarailfan.net/community/vie ... =21&t=4488