Shortlines Train Locations Updates - April 2024

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

The Grand Elk went by the Elkhart VR cam at 8:43am heading back to Kalamazoo with WAMX 4189 and WAMX 4209 leading 68 cars. A mix of box cars, covered hoppers, tank cars, 3 loaded center beams, 5 empty NS hoppers and 2 empty gondolas.

[dalek ling]

Anything on the Mid Michigan heading to Alma?

[Andy24]

Marquette Rail horns heard in Grand Rapids at 12:38pm, unknown what direction of travel

[Plannerdad]

Marquette Rail horns heard in Grand Rapids at 12:38pm, unknown what direction of travel

MQT NB at Richmond St. with 4 engines on including 3345 (I think) Buffalo and Pittsburgh, with ~110 cars. 25 or 30 2-bay sand hoppers near the front. 1:00pm.

[Plannerdad]

GRE WB at the River around 1:30, ~6 cars.

[LansingRailFan]

HESR 702 inbound to Durand at 13:50 with a pair of orange boys

[LansingRailFan]

14:35 - HESR 701 shoves back on the Port Huron Wye as they prepare to depart Durand.

[~Z~]

Grand elk north through Byron Center at 4:53pm. Wamx 4124, 4190 and 14 cars.

[J T]

Grand elk north through Byron Center at 4:53pm. Wamx 4124, 4190 and 14 cars.

Looks like the SB train might be departing Hughart soon. Three units with a WS unit in the middle. All three are just south of Burton, headlight on lead unit. String of tank cars at the front of the train, and maybe 20-30 cars total.

[Andy24]

Grand elk north through Byron Center at 4:53pm. Wamx 4124, 4190 and 14 cars.

Looks like the SB train might be departing Hughart soon. Three units with a WS unit in the middle. All three are just south of Burton, headlight on lead unit. String of tank cars at the front of the train, and maybe 20-30 cars total.

Thanks for the update! I’ve been waiting for this train since 6:30pm LOL

I do hear a faint horn in the distance at 7:26pm, somewhere at 44th St

[J T]

Grand elk north through Byron Center at 4:53pm. Wamx 4124, 4190 and 14 cars.

Looks like the SB train might be departing Hughart soon. Three units with a WS unit in the middle. All three are just south of Burton, headlight on lead unit. String of tank cars at the front of the train, and maybe 20-30 cars total.

Thanks for the update! I’ve been waiting for this train since 6:30pm LOL

I do hear a faint horn in the distance at 7:26pm, somewhere at 44th St

Yup, rolling SB now. Sitting on my deck and I can hear them blowing…from the angle, probably 36th or 44th.

[Andy24]

Thanks for the update! I’ve been waiting for this train since 6:30pm LOL

I do hear a faint horn in the distance at 7:26pm, somewhere at 44th St

Yup, rolling SB now. Sitting on my deck and I can hear them blowing…from the angle, probably 36th or 44th.

I really hope nothing tragic happens as the train approaches 68th St.

Grand Elk 303 SB @ 7:38pm passing 68th St mp 94.50 with WAMX #3808, WAMX #4190 WS Unit, WAMX #4124 and 46 cars (lots of tankers on head end, followed by boxcars, covered hoppers, 2 empty centerbeams, boxcar and tankers at rear

[~Z~]

Confirmed same woot woot vehicle seen south through Byron Center at 7:48pm. Back to folding clothes.

[J T]

46 cars…wow. As I headed west on Burton over the tracks the train was extended back into the yard near the office, so I figured it ended there. It must have been stretched much further back than I could see for that brief moment.

[Andy24]

46 cars…wow. As I headed west on Burton over the tracks the train was extended back into the yard near the office, so I figured it ended there. It must have been stretched much further back than I could see for that brief moment.

Yeah I was thinking like 30 cars as you mentioned and then I recounted my video, it was 46 cars. 2 driver sped across the gates as it was lowering. 1 man was walking towards the train and got off the tracks, and group of 3 kids was walking southbound as the train came behind them.

Anyways, I appreciate the heads up JT! My waiting paid off

Time for me to fold my clothes and sheets

[Andy24]

Grand Elk(?) horns heard in Grand Rapids at 9:24am, heading to CSX Wyoming Yard

[kd_1014]

Yesterday, GRE went east around 8:30am, came back west around 1:30. Sounds like they’re off today.

[Andy24]

Marquette Rail horns heard in Grand Rapids at 9:24am, heading southbound to CSX Wyoming Yard

Marquette Rail heading south to Grand Rapids at 12pm

[Plannerdad]

Marquette Rail horns heard in Grand Rapids at 9:24am, heading southbound to CSX Wyoming Yard

Marquette Rail heading north out of Grand Rapids at 12pm

Interesting, we saw MQT SB at just before noon at 7th and Seward. 83 cars with 8 QLF tanks on the front end, probably from QLF south of 7 Mile Rd.

[Andy24]

Marquette Rail horns heard in Grand Rapids at 9:24am, heading southbound to CSX Wyoming Yard

Marquette Rail heading north out of Grand Rapids at 12pm

Interesting, we saw MQT SB at just before noon at 7th and Seward. 83 cars with 8 QLF tanks on the front end, probably from QLF south of 7 Mile Rd.

Odd, I hear multiple horns blowing. I think the first one at 9am ish was probably Grand Elk. I did hear a train going on the Wye and it sounded heavy by the rail screeches