Page 1 of 1

CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:40 am
by atrainguy60
I was checking out the xrailfan site and reading through the list of trains that ran on CSX lines in Michigan after the CR merger, and according to the list there were two unit trains that ran north of Grand Rapids - K905 (Walbridge to Walhalla) and K923, the "Dow Lime Train" (Walbridge to Ludington). I was curious about a few of things, first is what kind of train was K905? Second, how often did both trains run? It says that K905 left Walbridge at 16:00, but not what days. No info on K923. Third, how long did these train run, what year were they abolished?

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:52 am
by GP30M4216
Not sure about K923, but K905 ran in the twilight CSX years and in the early MQT era (sometimes ran as a dedicated Toledo-Grand Rapids train which was interchanged to the MQT). It seemed to run about once a week on average. On CSX, usually a dedicated train, but sometimes hauled as part of a D704, the regular GR-north turn job.

As for how early the job ran, I can't say. The Dow lime plant I believe is today owned by Occidental Chemical Corp. and you still see OCCX covered hoppers bound for Ludington, but just not in dedicated trains.

Here is a photo of what I believe is an empty (returning) K904, laying over at Baldwin waiting for a crew. In 1999 maybe? I'm sure I have the date somewhere.
BN 9597 Baldwin.jpg

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:39 pm
by trnwatcher
The "Lime Train" was K905. K905 would run from Cary, Ohio?? to Ludington as a 65 car unit train or sometimes as part of D704. K923 was a little used symbol. It probably originated or terminated at different locals hence the different symbol. I never heard it used.

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:25 pm
by atrainguy60
Thanks for the answers!

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:49 pm
by AARR
I recall Dok talking about the "Limey" train. It would run as a unit to Walhalla then split with part going to Ludington (Dow) and the rest to Martin Marietta (near Manistee). Seems like MM would get a few more of the cars than Dow. I think MM still gets Limey's but they run in the general freight rather than units.

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:04 pm
by Dan Cluley
I don't know about later years, but in the early and mid '90s the lime train normally went west through East Lansing on Thursday evening. Mostly Martin Marietta covered hoppers, and usually had Conrail power. The empties would come back a few at a time on 334.

Re: CSX Unit Trains north of Grand Rapids?

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:53 pm
by Doktor No
The lime came from ex PRR trackage south of Walbridge. Lime was precipitated thru the brine pumped from area wells up there and Calcium chloride would be the product produced. Used in a myriad of products and in various forms...bulk in covered hoppers. Bagged in those low Manufactures RR gray and black with the red stripe ex Budwiser beer boxes or in liquid form in tanks.