CSX Train Location Updates - March 2024

[SD80MAC]

Puny train. First car is a MOW flat with a backhoe on it.

Do you ever see the huge 326s, or do you only ever comment on the abnormally small ones?

I grew up near Fargo, ND, where BNSF’s northern transcon mains cross. Dozens of trains a day and every one 100+ cars. Even the local shortline usually ran trains bigger than today’s 326. So I just find it comical that the flagship train for the GR sub is often so tiny.

I get it. We’re on a peninsula. It’s regional traffic only, and we’re at the tail end of decades of traffic attrition on the railroad. I want the GR sub to be successful and vibrant, so I guess I report tiny trains with a sigh and an eye roll because it’s a reminder that things are less than ideal.

So you have nothing to say when they're 120+ cars?

[TSS]

Do you ever see the huge 326s, or do you only ever comment on the abnormally small ones?

I grew up near Fargo, ND, where BNSF’s northern transcon mains cross. Dozens of trains a day and every one 100+ cars. Even the local shortline usually ran trains bigger than today’s 326. So I just find it comical that the flagship train for the GR sub is often so tiny.

I get it. We’re on a peninsula. It’s regional traffic only, and we’re at the tail end of decades of traffic attrition on the railroad. I want the GR sub to be successful and vibrant, so I guess I report tiny trains with a sigh and an eye roll because it’s a reminder that things are less than ideal.

So you have nothing to say when they're 120+ cars?

I didn’t realize trains had feelings and needed positive reinforcement. Maybe I could have some participation ribbons printed up: “Yay! There was tonnage to move!”

When you’re a grownup, nobody applauds when you get out of bed, tie your shoes and go to work every day. Similarly, it should not be newsworthy when the one train a day on the GR sub has enough tonnage to make it seem like a going concern.

Sarcasm aside, yes it makes me happy. I’ve been pleased to see some bigger trains lately. It’s been a long time since 326 needed pushers.

[amessmann]

15:15 - Heard on the Super Scanner that L303 was ready to head east from Lansing. Was maybe 10-15 minutes ago so call it 15:15.

[Tom49801]

L301-26 @ 15:57:55 eastward Bangor, Mi Division St crossing mp CG60.93 live cam with CSX engines #2428 + #8199 & 6 cars. He’ll be backing into Waverly mp CG22.8 for work there & then continue eastward for work at Standale Lumber mp CG6.5

L301-26 @ 16:20 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 Pearl, Mi with 36 axles.

[sparrow24]

16:30ish - L302 and L303 met in Brighton.

16:50 - L303 east through South Lyon.
Green Oak DD at CH39.1 said 206 axles.

[BL2-1843]

L-30226 by Howell at 17:00 with 49 cars. 840 + 440 on the head end. 440 was also on L302 back on Feb.25th.

[Tom49801]

L301-26 @ 17:30 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 Zeeland, Mi with 176 axles. CSX engines #2428 + #8199 & 41 cars. He has work for Standale Lumber mp CG6.5 in Grandville.

[Andy24]

X510 (extra M510) @ 17:57 northbound at Deshler Diamond cam with CSX #169 (solo) and 120 cars - final destination is Rougemere Yard in Detroit, MI.

In consist of the 120 cars were loaded wooden rail ties, 40 ish auto racks, tankers, boxcars, loaded flatcars with blue truck frames, loaded center beams, and coil cars.

I’m curious what train line needs those wooden ties. M326 today brought in a car with a backhoe along with yesterday’s m326 bringing in about 8 more loaded wooden ties.

[Jetlink]

Probably putting the Sunfield siding back in.

[Tom49801]

L-30226 by Howell at 17:00 with 49 cars. 840 + 440 on the head end. 440 was also on L302 back on Feb.25th.

L302-26 @ 19:30 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 140 axles. CSX engines #840 + #440 & 32 cars. He had work in Lansing – final destination is Grand Rapids, Mi.

[Jetlink]

Probably putting the Sunfield siding back in.

But seriously, might be for the rumored siding in traverse city.

[Tom49801]

L302-26 @ 20:15 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH126.3 Clarksville, Mi with 140 axles. CSX engines #840 + #440 & 32 cars. He had work in Lansing – final destination is Grand Rapids, Mi.

[pudgy]

In consist of the 120 cars were loaded wooden rail ties...
I’m curious what train line needs those wooden ties. M326 today brought in a car with a backhoe along with yesterday’s m326 bringing in about 8 more loaded wooden ties.

Materials are being staged in Waverly Yard (Holland) for some track work. 6 ballast cars were brought in by L301 today. The backhoe should be headed to Holland, the ties as well. More material inbound.

[Tom49801]

L302-26 @ 20:58 westward reported from Seymour mp CH148.1 with a Medium Clear signal. He has CSX engines #840 + #440 & 32 cars.

Amtrak P370-26 @ 21:15 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG91.9 St Joseph, Mi with 20 axles. IDTX engine #4621 & 4 cars.

Amtrak P370-26 @ 21:57:20 eastward Division St crossing Bangor, Mi mp CG60.93 IDTX engine #4621 & 4 cars (2 Venture Coaches + Venture Business + Horizon Cafe) with 1 passenger Off at the station mp CG60.5

[Tom49801]

Amtrak P370-26 @ 22:18 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG44.2 in Pearl, Mi with 20 axles. IDTX engine #4621 & 4 cars (2 Venture Coaches + Venture Business + Horizon Cafe).

[Tom49801]

L304-26 @ 01:18 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 38 axles. CSX engine #4017 & 8 cars. He had work for Lake Odessa mp CH120.4 & possibly Woodbury mp CH116.3

L304-26 @ 03:05 eastward reported by the Defect Detector mp CH104.3 Mulliken, Mi with 38 axles. CSX engine #4017 & 8 cars. He was returning to Ensel (Lansing) mp CH90.

M327-27 @ 05:09 Grand Rapids, Mi mark up with the RN Dispatcher (a lot of static - car total will be confirmed by the DD at mp CG19.1): CSX engine #3174 + mid? dpu CSX engine #7237 & 172 cars (82 loads + 90 empties) @ 16,814 tons & 9,976 feet long. He’ll be departing behind Amtrak P371.

[Tom49801]

R597-27 @ 06:21 copied their EC1 to depart the power plant in West Olive, Mi mp CGP 1.0 & diverge onto the Fremont sub-div & head south to the Grand Rapids sub-div in Holland, Mi with BNSF engine #9202 & 130 empty coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #9133 & probably CSX engines #796 + #741. He’ll take Wells Siding mp CG41.4 & tie down.

Amtrak P371-27 @ 06:37 westward reported by the Defect Detector mp CG19.1 in Zeeland, Mi with 20 axles. IDTX engine #4621 & 4 cars (2 Venture Coaches + Venture Business + Horizon Cafe).

[pudgy]

R597-27 @ 06:21 copied their EC1 to depart the power plant in West Olive, Mi mp CGP 1.0 & diverge onto the Fremont sub-div & head south to the Grand Rapids sub-div in Holland, Mi with BNSF engine #9202 & 130 empty coal cars & rear dpu BNSF engine #9133 & probably CSX engines #796 + #741. He’ll take Wells Siding mp CG41.4 & tie down.

BNSF 9202 / 9133, CSX 796 / 741 all on head end, 145 empties with EoT on rear.

[pudgy]

M327-27 @ 05:09 Grand Rapids, Mi mark up with the RN Dispatcher (a lot of static - car total will be confirmed by the DD at mp CG19.1): CSX engine #3174 + mid? dpu CSX engine #7237 & 172 cars (82 loads + 90 empties) @ 16,814 tons & 9,976 feet long. He’ll be departing behind Amtrak P371.

3174, 7237 DP pos 106.
88 x 90, 13814 tons, 9976 feet

[Tlout]

R597-27 West Olive empties south at Riley St. Holland 6:47 AM. Going by Holland station 7:02 AM.