CN Train Location Updates - January 2024

[LansingRailFan]

12:10 - EB M302 with CN 2977/CN 3316 and mid-DPU CN 2881 thru Durand on M1

12:27 - NB E251 at Durand on the Chicago Wye with CN 5680/CN 2541

[Robertrains]

Couple of quick notes:

To those who have somehow missed the GT heritage unit that’s been on the L507/L508 rotation since the 17th of December, expect it to remain on that particular train pair until at least the 20th. I’ve been told by a CN crew that they’re keeping the 8952 on the 507/508 rotation out of Flint/Flat Rock AND the R944 job out of Flint because of the donation special (which will be originating out of Flint) on the 20th and want it to stay local, so it doesn’t end up going elsewhere and them ending up not having it for the occasion.

Also, y’all remember the CN caboose that came down on 116 then went back north on L507 later that day before Christmas? The special is the reason why it’s in Flint apparently, ended up on the wrong train, was supposed to go to directly to Flint but somehow ended up in Moterm, no big deal as a train that works Moterm (L507) goes to Flint and they got it that evening.

OK! Here is the event that is happening January 20th! This should be great!!!! I will find a way to get to this train with CN "GTW Heritage" SD70M-2 #8952!!!!

[AARR]

The Pontiac Mt Clemens Local northbound through Royal Oak with about 10 cars including covered hoppers, tank cars, empty centerbeam, plywood boxcar and several Chrysler boxcars.

[LansingRailFan]

Couple of quick notes:

To those who have somehow missed the GT heritage unit that’s been on the L507/L508 rotation since the 17th of December, expect it to remain on that particular train pair until at least the 20th. I’ve been told by a CN crew that they’re keeping the 8952 on the 507/508 rotation out of Flint/Flat Rock AND the R944 job out of Flint because of the donation special (which will be originating out of Flint) on the 20th and want it to stay local, so it doesn’t end up going elsewhere and them ending up not having it for the occasion.

Also, y’all remember the CN caboose that came down on 116 then went back north on L507 later that day before Christmas? The special is the reason why it’s in Flint apparently, ended up on the wrong train, was supposed to go to directly to Flint but somehow ended up in Moterm, no big deal as a train that works Moterm (L507) goes to Flint and they got it that evening.

OK! Here is the event that is happening January 20th! This should be great!!!! I will find a way to get to this train with CN "GTW Heritage" SD70M-2 #8952!!!!

Dude you better. I don't wanna hear about you missing this on 1/21.

[David Collins]

The Pontiac Mt Clemens Local northbound through Royal Oak with about 10 cars including covered hoppers, tank cars, empty centerbeam, plywood boxcar and several Chrysler boxcars.

I missed this by like 10 minutes…currently at the station…

[Delray]

507 by the Fort St cam at 14:22 8952 leading

[LansingRailFan]

13:40 - WB E251 with CN 5680/CN 2541 thru Charlotte

14:15 - EB M394 with CN 3889/CN 3094 thru Charlotte - no WBs in their way until possibly M301 later in Port Huron. Can't beat an easier trip.

[David Collins]

L507 with 8952 leading working Moterm as of 4:24 PM

On the move at 4:28 northbound.

Royal Oak at 4:35, got up to speed quick. Giant intermodal cut on the rear.

[Manistique]

507 passing MP 22.5 at 4:48 pm at 50 mph.

[LansingRailFan]

16:08 - WB Q139 with CN 3894 up front and CN 3199 mid DPU at MP 14 of the CN Halton Subdivision with 384 axles.

This train will run overnight thru Michigan. It is all double stacks, empty cans, bound for British Colombia. A low-priority train so they routed it this way.

[Manistique]

What I presume was a SB 513 with the chant of a GP38 as power went past MP 22.5 around 6:40 pm.

And a few minutes later 508 went by.

Around 9 pm NB 513 went by with that blue GTW GP38-2.

No Amtrak 352 or 355. Snow.

[Manistique]

SB 515 with 5447 past MP 22.5 at 7:30 am with a short train today.

[LansingRailFan]

Overnight CN Flint Sub Revue

12:31 - EB Z148 with CN 3809/CN 3094 thru Charlotte
01:40 - WB M397 with CN/CN by Charlotte cam
02:39 - WB Q139 with CN 3894 up front and CN 3199 mid DPU - all empty containers, double stacks, from Brampton Intermodal Terminal to Roberts Bank, BC - thru Charlotte.
02:50 - WB L501 with CN/CN and all autoracks thru Durand on M2
03:10 - EB L500 arrives in Durand on M1 with CN 8862/CN 8002 - racks on the head end with a cut of cars for HESR and GLC in Durand. They'll shove into the yard by 03:20
03:50 - EB Q122 with CN 3066/CN 3155 thru Charlotte
04:00 - EB L500 with CN 8862/CN 8002 departs Durand Yard using the Port Huron Wye. Those loaded autoracks from Lansing are on the head end followed by a pickup of cars from HESR and GLC.
04:21 - EB L500 with CN 8862/CN 8002 and the cold AF conductor on the rear is shoving back to the rest of their train on M1 - usually R944 has been handling these duties so this kinda counts as a rare move these days.
04:55 - EB L500 with CN 8862/CN 8002 proceeds across the diamond in Durand and heads to Flint after picking up the rest of their train west of the diamond.
04:55 - EB M396 thru Charlotte
05:15 - WB L501 thru Charlotte
05:27 - WB Z149 thru Durand on M2
06:10 - EB Q122 with CN 3066/CN 3155 arrives in Flint
06:20 - WB E271 with CN 5666 solo up front and all manifest from Flint - they dropped their racks in Flint along with CN 5626 which was 2/2 on the train into the US.
06:40 - WB Z149 with CN/CN ff
08:15 - EB Q116 with CN 8817/CN 2690 and an ex-Algoma Central, ex-WC transfer caboose and some racks and stacks today is thru Charlotte

[cnw8835]

What looked like a unit grain train of 3 bay hoppers went around the connection at Griffith and on to the South Bend Sub eastbound at about 8:40 eastern time. CN 3174 leading if I heard right.

[LansingRailFan]

What looked like a unit grain train of 3 bay hoppers went around the connection at Griffith and on to the South Bend Sub eastbound at about 8:40 eastern time. CN 3174 leading if I heard right.

G88371 for Durand. The same 100 empty cars coming back for ZFS from Destrehan, LA.

[Delray]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9:46

CN 8874

[Manistique]

No Amtrak 353 again today due to "severe weather disruption." Is it that bad west of Detroit? Nothing here but wind and rain.

And it is not clear on the Tracker if Amtrak 350 is on time or very late leaving Chicago. Says it was delayed due to the late arrival of equipment, which I presume would have been 355 yesterday but that train never ran. Ugh. Amtrak.

[Manistique]

116 with the Algoma Central caboose right behind the power just went past MP 22.5 at 10:58 am. Very early and a short train.

[Manistique]

507 by the Fort St cam at 14:22 8952 leading

Passed MP 22.5 at 11:22 am. Only one locomotive. Short train.

[Robertrains]

116 with the Algoma Central caboose right behind the power just went past MP 22.5 at 10:58 am. Very early and a short train.

08:15 - EB Q116 with CN 8817/CN 2690 and an ex-Algoma Central, ex-WC transfer caboose and some racks and stacks today is thru Charlotte

OK, are these the P.T.C. "Test" cabooses? If not, why are they coming here? Where are they going? Or, will these possibly be used for that "Donation Special" with CN "GTW Heritage" 8952 on January 20th? It is cool to see cabooses any chance we get in 2024!!!!