Delphos & Eastern RR

[heartlandguy]

Current speed limit on the DERR is 30mph, with a couple of stretches of 25mph in towns and slow orders in a couple spots. The list below is what the speeds are to be when the project wraps up.... Most of the limits in a few towns are due to some curves

-Delphos (junction with MSRR)-Vaughnsville: 40mph
-Vaughnsville, OH: 35mph
-Vaughnsville-Columbus Grove: 40mph
-Columbus Grove, OH: 30mph
-Columbus Grove-Pandora: 40mph
-Pandora, OH: 30mph
-Pandora-Bluffton: 40mph
-Bluffton, OH: 35mph
-Bluffton-Jenera: 40mph
-Jenera, OH: 35mph
-Jenera-Carey: 40mph
-Carey, OH: 25mph
-W&LE Yard Limits: 15mph

[heartlandguy]

DERR 1301 has been released from the shops in Delphos this morning. It is currently still sitting in the yards at Delphos. We will be getting several car loads of ballast from the quarry in Rimer for the upgrades happening on both the north and south ends of the DERR. These first carloads are believed to be for the south end.

DCT-04 approaching Rimer with a set-off. DERR 1300 and 1204 and 29 cars. (7 CHs for Central Soya, 9 loaded CHs for MSRR, 5 open hoppers & 5 DERR ballast hoppers for Rimer, and 3 mty pellet hoppers from CSP).

DVT-04 came back into Delphos at around 1pm. DERR 1200 with (10 CHs and a tankcar from D&D, 4 CHs from Hemker)

[heartlandguy]

DCT-05 just finished up working the CSX interchange in Columbus Grove, heading to Rimer next. Freshly painted DERR 1301 leading DERR 1300 and 24 cars (4 CHs for Central Soya, 7 CHs for MSRR, 3 open hoppers & 7 DERR ballast hoppers for Rimer, and 3 pellet hoppers from CSP).

[heartlandguy]

Today, I'd also like to talk about a "hidden" gem we have on the DERR. Standing on one of the side streets of Pandora, is the only remaining and operating former AC&Y wig-wag signal. It stands on S. High Street, on the south side of town near the big grain elevator. When the N&W was beginning the process of abandoning the 55 miles between Delphos & Carey, the City of Pandora purchased the wig-wag and kept it in great condition. Though it never operated, the mechanics were kept in shape, and when the DERR purchased and rebuilt the tracks, we asked if it would be OK to use it for the street's crossing protection, as intended. The City of Pandora still owns the signal, but the DERR pays for half of the maintenance.

The wig-wag was made by Magnetic Signal Co. It retains it's original bell, black & white banner, original cantilever, and has a beaded crossbuck. The other side of the tracks in governed by a set of flashers with a mechanical bell (this was the only request if the wig-wag were to remain in place). The small yard for the Pandora elevator also crossed here, and has a set of crossbucks governing it.

[heartlandguy]

The first cut of ballast from the quarry at Rimer is on DCT-06. This ballast will be kept in the yard at Delphos until the project on the south end starts in a couple weeks.

DCT-06 departing from Rimer. DERR 1200 and 1205 with 25 cars (10 cars of DERR ballast from Rimer, 11 CHs for Central Soya, and 4 pellet hoppers from CSP)

DVT-06 arrived in Delphos at 13:25pm. DERR 1300, 1301, and 16 cars (9 CHs from D&D, 7 CHs from Hemker).

[heartlandguy]

Ballast is starting to stream out of the quarry at Rimer. 7 more cars were spotted there today. The loads are being stored on a pair of un-used tracks in the DERR yard, south of Delphos. Some rail and other materials will also be coming in the next few weeks for the upgrades on the south end.

DCT-07 getting onto the MSRR north of Delphos, asking the tower operator for permission across the PC. DERR 1301, 1204, and 21 cars (2 ballast loads from Rimer, 6 CHs for Central Soya, 6 CHs for MSRR, and 5 pellet hoppers from CSP)

[conrailman75]

"Delphos Tower answering DCT-07, over"

"DCT-07, we're here at the home signal requesting a signal across your interlocking, over"

"You're waiting on one, DCT-07. Our hot first class mail train, FWPC-43, is getting very close on main one, heading westbound. Once he clears, you'll have the signal to proceed, over"

"Copy that, waiting on one and then we get the signal, DCT-07 out"

"Delphos Tower out"

[heartlandguy]

DERR has requested the STB to see if they could speed up their verdict on our deal with purchasing the southern section of our line, south of Delphos, from the State of Ohio. We would like to start the projects at the end of February or at the beginning of March. The section between Delphos and Venedocia will also be used by ICS run through trains, heading for the MSRR, and eventually Toledo and Detroit.

DCT-08 approaching the junction with the MSRR, north of Delphos. Gonna call the PC again soon to get across. DERR 1200, 1201, and 18 cars (6 loads of Ballast, 5 CHs for Central Soya, 6 CHs for MSRR, and a pellet hopper from CSP).

DVT-08 ran today, got into Delphos at 1pm. DERR 1204 and 12 cars (7 CHs & a tankcar from D&D, 4 CHs from Hemker).

[heartlandguy]

The DERR has successfully purchased the section of the former Cloverleaf from Delphos to Venedocia from the State of Ohio. The upgrading projects are set to start in the next week or two. 20 cars of ballast have already accumulated in the yard at Delphos. We are going to contact SDI in Fort Wayne to send over a welded rail train in the next couple of days. Some of the rail will also be used on the north end in spots. More to come later...

"DCT-14 calling PC's Delphos Tower, ooover!" DERR 1203 and 1201 with 19 cars (5 CHs for Central Soya, 10 CHs for the MSRR, 2 tankcars from Pandora, and 2 mty pellet hoppers from CSP).

[conrailman75]

"Delphos Tower answering"

"Yeah, DCT-14 here at the home signal looking for a signal to get across the diamond, over"

"Okay, I've got nothing coming close, so you're signal will be coming at ya"

"Copy that, look for signal to proceed, DCT-14 out"

"Delphos Tower out"

[heartlandguy]

A welded rail train from SDI in Fort Wayne will be coming late next week. We will also be leasing a jordan spreader from CSX for ditch and roadbed work on the project on the south end.

DCT-16X (new symbol for the Saturday extra) finishing up working in the W&LE yard at Carey. DERR 1203 for power, came in with 15 cars, supposed to leave with 17 cars (1 pellet hopper for CSP, 4 coke hoppers for CSX, 7 CHs for Central Soya, 6 hoppers for Rimer). Gonna pick up 2 pellet hoppers from CSP and 5 CHs at Jenera for the MSRR.

[heartlandguy]

DCT-18 pulling through Pandora. DERR 1200 and 1300 with a decent sized train of 31 cars (7 CHs from Central Soya, 6 hoppers from Rimer, 5 coke hoppers from CSX, 5 CHs for Pandora, 5 CHs for Jenera, and 3 pellet hoppers for CSP).

DVT-18 working Hemker grain in Venedocia. DERR 1203 with 15 cars from D&D, and making a pick up of 4 at Hemker, giving it 19 cars for the trip back to Delphos.

[heartlandguy]

DCT-19 pulling into Delphos. Calling PC's tower for a signal across the diamonds. DERR 1200, 1204 for power. Train is made up of 6 CHs for Central Soya (CSYX, BNGX hoppers), 8 CHs for MSRR (AEX, MSRR, CITX hoppers), and 2 pellet hoppers from CSP, for a total of 16 cars.

[conrailman75]

DCT-19 was OS'd by Delphos Tower operator at 5:10pm, only waited on FWPC-43 before being given permission to cross.

[heartlandguy]

The DERR has purchased ten covered hoppers from two different companies. The majority come from the MSRR, who we purchased seven newer covered hoppers from. We also purchased 3 older, former CNW hoppers, from AEX (Andersons). We plan on running these cars in the shuttle between the two big grain elevators on our line (Pandora and Jenera) to the Andersons in Toledo...

DCT-20 at Bluffton, crossing NS's Lima District. DERR 1300 and 1201 with 26 cars (5 CHs for Central Soya, 6 CHs for MSRR from Jenera, 4 coke hoppers for CSX, 7 hoppers for Rimer, and 4 pellet hoppers from CSP). Going to pick up four more hoppers from Pandora, as well.

DVT-20 came into Delphos at 1:35pm. DERR 1200, 1202 with 20 cars (15 CHs from D&D, 5 CHs from Hemker). Work is getting under way on the southern section as well, with several trucks and equipment out that way. A rail train from SDI will be coming from PC tomorrow.

[heartlandguy]

The loaded rail train from SDI should be coming via the PC today. Shouldn't be that far out of Delphos by now... Piles of new ties and groups of work equipment have been appearing in our yard area in Delphos. Various ties have been marked for replacement on the south end as well. Also, new traffic from the Illinois Central Southern (ICS) RR will be coming in March.

DCT-21 at Jenera, no work there today... DERR 1301 and DERR 1201 with 20 cars (6 CHs for Central Soya, 4 mty coke hoppers for CSX, 7 hoppers and 1 lime CH for Rimer, and 1 pellet hopper from CSP)

[heartlandguy]

DCT-23X banging across the TSCR at Arlington, DERR 1300 with 18 cars (7 CHs from Central Soya, 6 hoppers and 2 lime CHs from Rimer, 2 coke hoppers from CSX, and 1 pellet hopper for CSP), also on the rear is a flat car and jordan spreader from CSX, for the project south of Delphos.

[heartlandguy]

There is a hi-rail truck with a crane and gondolas dropping ties on the south end this afternoon. The consist is currently just north of Landeck. Also, a few grade crossings on the south end are set to be upgraded with gates, as well. This includes a couple of state route crossings between Landeck and Venedocia.

[heartlandguy]

The tie-laying consist made it from Landeck to Venedocia today. DVT-25 took them back to Delphos this afternoon after they wrapped up. Ties have now been laid the entire way between Delphos and Venedocia...

DCT-25 rattling the NS diamonds at Bluffton. DERR 1201, 1205, and 24 cars (6 CHs for Central Soya, 5 coke mtys for CSX, 5 hoppers and a lime CH for Rimer, 4 CHs from Jenrera for MSRR, and 3 pellet hoppers from CSP). Gonna make a pick-up at the elevator in Pandora and set-outs at CG and Rimer before heading back to Delphos.

DVT-25 got into Delphos and 1:47pm today. DERR 1200, 1203, and 20 cars (11 CHs from D&D, 5 CHs from Hemker, plus the tie crane and 3 tie gons).

[conrailman75]

Sorry for the delay, haven't been on the Internet in a few days. Your rail train, RAIL-501, pulled by PC 3019 and 3033 arrived at Delphos last Thursday around 5pm and delivered to the DERR.