CN Train Location Updates - September 2023

[GrandTrunkPontiac]

Here's the Trains.com article last week discussing the "loss of shunt" testing that CN has spearheaded on the Holly Sub.

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/seeking-answers-on-loss-of-shunt-special-report/

[LansingRailFan]

EB L500 departed BC at 23:35 with CN 8952. Unknown if leading.

By the 204 cam at 00:20 and it appeared that the CN 8952 was ff 2/2.

04:27 - EB L500 thru Durand on M2. They stopped with two cars left on the west side of the diamond for a WB. They had picked up three tracks of cars in Lansing…auto racks, tank cars and a boxcar and scrap gon from JAIL and two blocks of centerbeams from Biewer and the other lumber yard. CN 8892/CN 8952 (GT HU) elephant style.

[LansingRailFan]

09:35 - NB P966 is lined onto M2 today thru Moterm and Raven. They’ve spun at Sugarhouse Wye/Milwaukee Jct

[Manistique]

Shunt Testing Train just passed MP 22.5 on Main 1 at 10:38 pm at track speed.

[Delray]

251 by the Fort St cam at 10:51 CN X2

[bluewonderrails]

E274 east clear mp222 at 12:17. CN #8808 + CSX #4571 + CN #5726

[Manistique]

NB 515 with 5423 just went past MP 22.5 t 12:42 pm.

[Manistique]

SB Shunt Train passed MP 22.5 at 1 pm.

[Manistique]

251 by the Fort St cam at 10:51 CN X2

Passing MP 22.5 at 1:10 pm. Busy half hour on the South Holly.

[LansingRailFan]

12:45 - P966 SB at Waterford
13:40 - P966 NB at D&M

[Robertrains]

Shunt Testing Train just passed MP 22.5 on Main 1 at 10:38 pm at track speed.

Manistique, you mean "10:38 am" right? I will try and catch the southbound "Shunt Testing Train" return at Pontiac" today!!!!

[Manistique]

Yes, AM, not PM, for the Shunt Train. He went by at 1:10 pm too.

Train 116 just passed MP 22.5 of the Holly at 3:28 pm.

[Manistique]

A short train with a single GE just went by MP 22.5 on the Holly. Mixed freight with some autoracks. No containers. It is about time for 507 but I would call this an X251.

[Robertrains]

Shunt Testing Train just passed MP 22.5 on Main 1 at 10:38 pm at track speed.

Manistique, you mean "10:38 am" right? I will try and catch the southbound "Shunt Testing Train" return at Pontiac" today!!!!

Looks like I missed something; did not catch this traion at all in Pontiac!!!! Why no "Updates?" So far and lots of traffic with this "Goofy Guy" I went with!!!! Then I had to come home for an appointment! We only saw a CN SD60 switch the yard! What happened to the "Shunt Testing Train?" I staged at Scott Lake Road in Waterford TWP. and was soon told the train was in Pontiac (after setting up my equipment)!!!! How did this happen? What time did it return? Will this run again? I was at this place around 5:50 p.m. OK, I missed it today! At least I captured this train twice yesterday (9-13)!

[amessmann]

20:32 - Amtrak P364 eastbound by the MP 205 cam.
21:04 - Amtrak P364 departing East Lansing MP 223.7.
22:21 - EB thru Trowbridge with 3257 + 3975, manifest traffic. Nothing lined after this.
00:17 - WB thru MP 225, am told this could be 301, no visual, possibly went into emergency around MP 205, discussing with dispatch 01:11.

[Manistique]

A NB 513 with 5423 just went past MP 22.5 with a car or two. Funny that Amtrak needs so many axles on the Holly but freight don't seem to. I think that article that LRF posted explained that, something about surface/contact area of freight wheels versus passenger car wheels?

[Dan Cluley]

Eastbound with CN 3257 & 3975 through East Lansing at 22:21

[amessmann]

01:51 - Dispatch talking to CN 3077, crew member was "118 cars back" - sounds like they broke down around MP 205, maybe went into emergency. Confirmed M301 by radio.

01:57 - Possible L501 thru East Lansing on M2 with 8892 + 8952 leading manifest and racks, came out of the yard at W Flint before M397 arrived. Was not expecting 8952.
02:30 - M397 thru East Lansing on M2 with CN 8884, FXE 4037, and CN 8843, 586 axles of manifest traffic and racks, trio of 710s shaking the ground.
02:31 - L500 thru East Lansing on M1 eastbound with CN 2271 leading all racks. Running meet at the station with well cars on M397 revealing L500 as the head end passed.
02:50 - M301 proceeding from MP 205 with 664 axles, car man on the ground will be giving him a roll by.
03:02 - A491 thru East Lansing on M2 with 3015 and 2936, 624 axles of manifest and racks, came out of W Flint after M397 passed, L500 proceeding from Okemos.
04:41 - Z148 thru East Lansing with 3315 + leading 300 axles, they took M1 at Potterville and M2 at Mill, no visual.

L500 passed MP 205 at 00:46, M301 passed MP 205 at 03:04, L501* passed MP 205 at 03:21, Z148 passed MP 205 at 03:59, M397 passed MP 205 at 04:17, and A491 passed MP 205 at 04:35. L501* will hold at McAllister to let M397 pass, they will then enter West Yard at Battle Creek.

[Delray]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9:31
CN 2291 2652 3170

[Manistique]

251 by the Fort St cam at 9:31
CN 2291 2652 3170

Past MP 22.5 at 11:50 am. Short train. Mostly mixed with some racks on the rear. All three units elephant style. I imagine the UAW strike will be slowing things down on the railroad for a bit.