Indiana rail business news

[redside20]

INTAT Precision in Rushville is expanding..

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Intat ... 41da6eb478
A railroad line is nearby

[railohio]

Pipeline construction materials unloaded in Ashley:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrail/14219489042

[AARR]

Pipeline construction materials unloaded in Ashley:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrail/14219489042

Think those are called "swamp matts". Cover soft ground with them so the heavy equipment doesn't sink in.

[redside20]

More gr8 job expansion in Ossian Indiana, and this calls for a rail spur to be built to the existing site on the west side of Ossian
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Linde ... 1f3b6ac9d7

This time, it's Linder Oil
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=65219

Hey Simon Donaldson, check out the other rail spurs next door...
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Linde ... 1f3b6ac9d7

[AARR]

Hey Simon Donaldson, check out the other rail spurs next door...
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Linde ... 1f3b6ac9d7

Saw that too. Looks like a gondola on the spurs lead???

[redside20]

Fastenal expanding in Indiana..mentions use of rail..although this location is at 6003 Guion Road in Indianapolis, The Zionsville Industrial track is nearby, but no spur runs into here although a business just to the north of this location has one.
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=65234
https://www.google.com/maps/place/6003+ ... 15123f9b39

Fastenal is also building a distribution center in Terre Haute. Russ can you chime in if any products from any rail to truck warehouses in the area are trucked to this location?

[redside20]

Reports from the Indiana board that a spur is being constructed off the South Shore branch line (ex Nickel Plate MC Branch) in Laporte...Is being tied into what looks to be an old Whirlpool Warehouse.
This is the area in question in Laporte
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Whirl ... 556278a4a9
http://indianarailroads.org/board/index ... ic=15017.0

[justalurker66]

Reports from the Indiana board that a spur is being constructed off the South Shore branch line (ex Nickel Plate MC Branch) in Laporte...Is being tied into what looks to be an old Whirlpool Warehouse.
This is the area in question in Laporte
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Whirl ... 556278a4a9
http://indianarailroads.org/board/index ... ic=15017.0

Courtesy of the Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation
http://www.gledc.com/PDF/GLEDC-eNewsletter-4.11.13.pdf (1.9 MB PDF)

Candy Manufacturer Grows Production in La Porte County
American Licorice Company, a candy and licorice manufacturer, is expanding operations and creating up to 35 new jobs by 2015. The Bend, Ore.-headquartered company will invest approximately $10 million to equip and renovate its 285,000 square-foot facility at 1900 Whirlpool Drive in La Porte, IN.

The expansion, which includes the installation of a licorice production line and the addition of a rail spur to allow the company to receive ingredients by rail, is expected to be operational by 2015. American Licorice, which currently employs 150 people in La Porte and 500 associates nationwide, plans to begin hiring additional production associates next year.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered American Licorice Company up to $200,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, and will not be available until Hoosiers are hired. The City of La Porte approved additional tax abatement at the request of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation

[justalurker66]

I stopped by LaPorte last night to look at the new spur off of the CSS line ... the ball field seen on older arial images has been replaced by a tight S curve. Most of the curve is south of the new crossing with the curve turning back to cross the road.

[redside20]

Sounds like the tiny segment of CSX ex Monon trackage between Monon and Monticello might get a reprieve afterall. Well foamers, looks like things will swing your way afterall
But Monticello Farm Services, Inc. has hopes for otherwise, correct?




There may be good news. The STB posted two decisions on May 23 in the case, CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.—ABANDONMENT
EXEMPTION—IN WHITE COUNTY, IND.

The first is a MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER to keep non-public commercially sensitive information provided by CSX Transportation to a party considering an Offer of Financial Assistance (OFA).

http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readin ... /43819.PDF

The second decision directs CSX Transportation, Inc. to file an amended petition for exemption addressing issues raised in the filing of Monticello Farm Service, Inc.

"The Board also received a letter from Monticello Farm Service, Inc. (MFS), the sole remaining customer on the Line. As pertinent, MFS states that between October 30, 2013, and March 10, 2014, it received 26 shipments of nitrogen fertilizer by rail. This statement calls into question the validity of CSXT’s forecast year data and indicates a significant increase in carload traffic over the 13 carloads that CSXT states moved in the base year (October 30, 2012—October 30, 2013). CSXT has indicated that in 2012, when 42 carloads were handled on the Line, the revenues generated from the traffic were not significantly below the costs of operating the Line. Twenty-six carloads in four and one-half months would annualize to approximately 69 carloads. Therefore, MFS’s actual increase in traffic could be material to the Board’s analysis. We also note that MFS anticipates rail shipments to be between 90-120 railcars in the 12 months following its March 2014 letter.
1"

http://www.stb.dot.gov/decisions/readin ... /43814.pdf

[CSX_CO]

Be interesting to see how this plays out. I would think a small farmers Co-op saying they'll want 90 to 120 cars in a year is a pretty high estimate. Probably see this get put on the 'back burner' for awhile and see exactly how much actually shows up. I'm sure if it were that many cars, CSX may not have a problem keeping service. But for 1 or 2 a month it just isn't worth it.

Practice Safe CSX

[AARR]

IMHO the actual carloads rarely equal or exceed the expected number. In fact, I'm surprised at the frequency a rail spur will be installed then hardly get used or even in a few cases not get used at all. It might only be 2-3% of the time but considering what it takes to install a spur; the planning, approvals, costs, etc. it surprises me it happens at all.

[redside20]

Carmeuse is setting up an operation in Gary Indiana right across from the casino,
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=65536
Hopefully this will become a rail customer

[CSX_CO]

First train load of raw ore has been delivered to the plant at Reynolds, IN. Production isn't slated to start until late 2014, to early 2015, but the unloading shed and loops are completed. They're building a stock pile for when production does start. Supposed to be 700 or 800 cars being purpose built for this service. Look like normal gons from the sides, but have rounded bottoms and rotary couplers for rotary dump service. Rumor is one loaded raw 'fines' train into the plant a day, one empty train out. One loaded train of pellets in, and one empty train out. Supposedly unit stone trains, probably from the Bloomington, IN area for the limestone needed for the 'bonding', with inbound bentonite clay. Going to be a large customer for CSX. I've heard rumors CSX has the contract for inbound and outbound moves for the first 10 years. G&W will have access to the plant, off the former TPW property (via trackage rights on CSX), but its unclear what traffic they may get (if any).

Practice Safe CSX

[bn13814]

First train load of raw ore has been delivered to the plant at Reynolds, IN. Production isn't slated to start until late 2014, to early 2015, but the unloading shed and loops are completed. They're building a stock pile for when production does start. Supposed to be 700 or 800 cars being purpose built for this service. Look like normal gons from the sides, but have rounded bottoms and rotary couplers for rotary dump service. Rumor is one loaded raw 'fines' train into the plant a day, one empty train out. One loaded train of pellets in, and one empty train out. Supposedly unit stone trains, probably from the Bloomington, IN area for the limestone needed for the 'bonding', with inbound bentonite clay. Going to be a large customer for CSX. I've heard rumors CSX has the contract for inbound and outbound moves for the first 10 years. G&W will have access to the plant, off the former TPW property (via trackage rights on CSX), but its unclear what traffic they may get (if any).

Practice Safe CSX

One possibility for the TP&W is bentonite, and new sister Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern serves the source of it. They could route traffic RCPE-CPRS-CSXT, but with GWI lines at both ends, RCPE-UP-TPW or RCPE-BNSF-TPW are possible (TP&W already gets bentonite for Caterpillar's Mapleton foundry).

[redside20]

A little shortline to Madison Indiana is going to get upgraded
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=65972

[redside20]

Also a construction panel and wall supply manufacturer is moving from Markham to Gary Indiana on Melton Road..Major Railroad line located out back..any chance for a spur?
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=65978

https://www.google.com/maps/place/7592+ ... f218ca5f1e

Why are so many businesses fleeing Illinois?

[bn13814]

Why are so many businesses fleeing Illinois?

High taxes, burdensome regulations. It seems the state is competing with California and New York for "worst place to do business."

[redside20]

Why are so many businesses fleeing Illinois?

High taxes, burdensome regulations. It seems the state is competing with California and New York for "worst place to do business."

Sounds like there quickly surpassing those two states as well.

anywho..A plastics company Alliance Barrier has readied a site near the new I69 Corridor in Daviess County complete with a rail spur to boot..New Traffic source for ISRR? or the Indiana Railroad?
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/ne ... p?ID=66052

[CSX_CO]

If around Washington that would be ISRR or *perhaps* CSX on the former B&O. If more towards Odon, then INRD. Article doesn't really specify, other than its going in near an already existing plant. I believe the INRD has marketed a 'transload' operation around Odon.

Practice Safe CSX