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[GP30M4216]

The Maine Central/Pan Am boxcars seen on CSX in West Michigan seem to be interchanged to MQT for Manistee (paper service?) and someone also reported seeing a couple interchanged to the GDLK, but I’m not sure on their destination there. Neat to see ‘em, wherever they’re going!

[DaveO]

That’s a good point DaveO and possible that they are in potato service although I’m not aware of anyone in the thumb handling potatoes.

I've been seeing MC boxcars on HESR going into the thumb for I presume bean service

maybe potatoes? maine and michigan are both up there.

the michigan potato grower website only has one member in that area at birch run so probably not.
most are found in nw lower or da up.

[SD80MAC]

South on the Pennsy by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Elk 303 has finished their work in Moline and is now rolling south towards Kalamazoo on the former Grand Rapids & Indiana (PRR). 11/9/2023

Wyoming EMDs by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L303's power is seen back up the Old Even Lead while Marquette Rail's Z151 pulls ahead to double their train together on the Coach Lead. Wyoming Yard can be a fairly busy place around noon, with 4-5 trains typically arriving or departing.

L303: CSXT 4589-CSXT 3332-CSXT 4045
Z151: MQT 3406-MQT 3389-MQT 3408-MQT 3391
11/14/2023

B47 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Norfolk Southern's B47 is headed north back to Hughart Yard in Grand Rapids after working Magic Steel. NS had less than a year left operating the old GR&I. 7/11/2008

Blast From The Past by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Looking every bit like a circa 2010 CSX freight, L303 works uphill towards Fox behind one of the few remaining active C40-9Ws. 11/13/2023

Lucky Day by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

When new engines come for assignment at Ensel Yard in Lansing, they will often be brought to Grand Rapids first. If needed, they will be turned so that both of the Lansing jobs (L304 and L305) will have a pair of back-to-back units, rather than both facing the same way. With no turning facilities in Lansing, Grand Rapids is the closest spot with a wye. Not only did this day's L303 turning their power on the wye put SD40-3 #4045 facing in the correct direction, it also put SD70AC #4589 in the lead instead of the trailing Gevo. I was happy! The power set is seen here at Godfrey, backing toward the yard with the Conductor, Conductor Trainee, and Trainee Mentor all protecting the shove. 11/14/2023

Ivanhoe Meet by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L515, lead by a gaggle of EMD products, meets a Kirk-bound CN freight as both trains clatter over the CSX and IHB diamonds at Ivanhoe. 10/1/2023

CP 435 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A Wisconsin Electric coal train moves through the control point at 435 on the Chicago Line. A pair of NS units create a BNSF sandwich. 11/4/2023

Proctor-Bound by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A pair of CN SD60s are clicking off the miles on the Missabe Sub with south-bound L567 from International Falls. 6/10/2023

PNWR GP39-2 #2301 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

One of the Portland & Western's venerable ex Santa Fe GP39-2s has replaced long-time resident GP9 #1801 as power for the Mac Switcher in McMinnville. Built in 1974 for the ATSF, it was part of the group of GP39-2s that the newly formed BNSF elected not to keep. 10/12/2023

Oliver's by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L521's pair of GTW SD40-2s move through Oliver's Yard after making a set out. 11/4/2023

E251 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With 5 units on the head end, E251 passes a gaggle of foamers at the East Lansing Amtrak station. 11/5/2023

Nutrien by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Elk 303's power comes up and out of the spur into Nutrien AG after dropping off a few tank cars. Once attached back to their train, the crew will continue south to Kalamazoo. 11/9/2023

Classic 326 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

There was a time when leased SD40-2s almost outnumbered CSX's own SD40-2s on the railroad. GCFX #3064 and HLCX #8152 are seen here leading a pair of Geeps and a short Q326 across the Thornapple River. 10/15/2006

Mini Geep by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The bottle train rolls past Dolton Tower on the IHB behind an ex Conrail GP15-1 during the summer of 2006. During this era, this train usually seemed to operate with a Geep on either end, usually these GP15s. The following year, NS would sell all of its GP15s to Larry's Truck & Electric. 7/14/2006

WE Trowbridge by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After dropping most of its train off at Ensel Yard, L303 continues east across the CN diamonds at Trowbridge behind a pair of aging GEs. 11/5/2023

MACs w/Empties by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's 2008. The economy is in the crap, but nearly all BNSF coal trains are still being hauled by SD70MACs, and somehow all is still right with the world. 7/13/2008

Morning on Proctor Hill by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's just after sunrise on Spirit Mountain as 3 SD40s grind up the hill towards Proctor with a train of empty ore hoppers (U716). 6/8/2023

Blat by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With its two-chime K2 horn blatting for the crossing, an IHB SW1500 trundles along the branch line from Whiting with a long string of tanks from the refineries in tow. 10/1/2023

Durand Cowls by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An SD60F-SD50F pair is rounding the Chicago Wye in Durand with M398. Once clear of the plant, they will back across the diamond and into Durand Yard, where they will make a set out before heading back to their train and continuing east. 3/24/2007

Huntington Rebuild by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L303's power has just turned on the Sunnyside Wye and is now reversing back to Wyoming Yard to pick up their train. CSXT #4589 was built as Conrail #4144 and was formerly the "Spirit of Nashville". 11/14/2023

M For Mr. by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With most of the train still going uphill, SD60M #8759 and CW40-8 #7693 are still working hard as Q335 crests the grade at Fox. A friend of mine once described to me his clever way of telling an SD60M from an SD60I when viewed from the front: an SD60M has the door on the right side, while an SD60I's is on the left. "Remember, M for M(R)!" 3/14/2008

Terrible by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

If not for the subject matter, this photo would likely never see the light of day. But when was the last time you saw a BNSF GP60M and SD40-2 leading an intermodal on CSX? I'm sorry to say, this is the only time I have ever shot a GP60M leading. 7/14/2006

Winter Grain by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CSXT #7737 north with G793 in the double track on the Saginaw Sub, approaching the CN diamonds at Kersley. This is now all single-tracked, and operated by LSRC. 1/15/2010

[SD80MAC]

M-2s by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L508's pair of SD70M-2s await the crew to come on duty at CN's Flint Yard. The GTW Heritage unit was regular power on this job for the better part of a month. 9/10/2023

FDL Chug by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The unmistakable chug of GE FDLs is echoing through the south side of Grand Rapids as I334 works up the long incline out of the Grand River valley. The ex Conrail Dash 8s, with their cab-mounted headlights, marker lights, and number boards on the nose, always provided a nice change from the vanilla appearance of most CSX GEs.

Q334 was one of the trains affected by CSX's then-new "28 hour" scheduling. As a result, it ran 6 days a week, with a different letter prefix each day as the call time moved back 4 hours each day, then reset every 3 days. Needlessly complicated, this scheduling did not last long. 4/16/2015

Sunrise @ 466 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Emerging from the shadows, 22X passes under the signals at CP 466 on the former Conrail Chicago Line. 10/1/2023

Sunny Day In Ada by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's a nice day in Ada as Mid Michigan #24 pulls a cut of empties up the nearly 4% grade out of Amway back up to the ex GTW mainline. The venerable ex-Northern Pacific GP9 was the regularly assigned engine on the Grand Rapids Eastern for the better part of 2 decades. 7/18/2007

Rollin' In by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Y106 heads into the yard on the Old Even Lead as MOW crews work to replace several sections of rail on the Even Lead. GP38-3 #2005 was 1 of just 8 Clinchfield GP38-2s. 11/14/2023

The Heart Of The Trunk by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

North-bound on the Holly Sub, A491 is utilizing the High and Port Huron wyes as they make a set out in Durand Yard. GP38-2s #4918 and #4900 are certainly no strangers to Durand. 4/18/2009

Buffington by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The H Lee White unloads its cargo at the dock in Buffington Harbor. Operated by American Steamship Company, the White is 704 ft long and can carry 35,400 tons of cargo. 10/1/2023

Eastern Coal by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Eastern coal loads running as N904 roll up the Even Lead into Wyoming Yard on an early November day in 2007. Power on this train was a nice pair of SD70MACs, including the recently renumbered #4586 in the trail position. The former 700 series MACs were in the process of being renumbered to free up that block for new ES44ACs. 11/3/2007

Markham Deadline by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The recession and EHH were in the midst of inflicting their wrath on the CN's motive power fleet as 2008 dawned. This string of retired and sold units contained such goodies as ex Wisconsin Central SD40-2s, ex DM&IR SDMs, CN SW12000RSs, and even an IC SW14. 1/3/2008

Close Quarters by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A sunny December morning finds Marquette Rail's Z151 snaking its way south on CSX rails through Grand Rapids' west side. The space to the right of the train was once occupied by a runaround track, removed about 17 years ago at this point. At left is the parking garage for Grand Valley State University. And, directly in front of the #3408, was once a diamond with the PRR's lead from across the river to GR Union Station. 12/8/2023

Syracuse by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A former Conrail SD70MAC leads west-bound coke load K381 across the fill bisecting Syracuse Lake and Lake Wawasee in, you guessed it, Syracuse. 11/12/2011

CGT 5.0 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Over in Grandville on a lunch errand, I was surprised to find M327 sitting at Ivanrest. Further investigation would reveal that the crew was having air brake issues with the lead engine and had only made it about a mile out of the yard. Eventually it was decided to shove back into the yard and swap their power out for another pair of units. With their "new" pair of ES44AHs now in the lead, the train is seen leaving again with a fresh crew aboard. At right is a concrete whistle post dating from the Pere Marquette era. 11/29/2023

[SD80MAC]

On The Move by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After getting permission through the MOW limits, L303's GEs dig into their train at Godfrey as they begin the climb east out of Grand Rapids. 12/8/2023

Through The West Side by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Marquette Rail's Z151 is rolling south through Grand Rapids' West Side on a sunny July afternoon in 2013. Leading the train are GLLX #3001, MQT #2005, and GLLX #3002. Genesee & Wyoming had just acquired Marquette's owner, Rail America, and big changes were coming soon. Before the end of the year, all three of these units would get the orange dip. #3001 would become MQT #3389, #2005 became MQT #2041, and #3002 became MQT #3390. 7/16/2013

GR Yard Limits by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The sun is shining on a crisp December morning as Marquette Rail's Z151 prepares to knock down the signal for Fuller diamond. This area, known as the "Grand Rapids Yard Limits" on CSX, is EC-1 territory. At right is the runaround and switches to Padnos Turner St, Victor Barnes, and Haviland Chemical. 12/8/2023

Parked Santa by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN's 2012 Santa Train, led by Illinois Central E9s 101 and 102, is holding just south of the River Rouge drawbridge for a signal. The train had made its way down the Mt Clemens Sub and was on its way to Flat Rock. Unfortunately these classic Es were retired and sold off with the advent of PTC. 12/1/2012

Mexicans by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

KCSM #4715, KCSM #4500, and a CSX unit lead 17V west on the Chicago Line at Pine. These units have definitely become a lot more common since the CPKC merger. 10/1/2023

L303-18 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Throttling up for the grade at Fox are CW40-9 #9006 and ES40DC #5339 with a long and heavy L303. 11/18/2023

US 31 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L521's pair of GTW SD40-2s duck under the US 31 overpass as the local heads for the elevator in Kingsbury. 11/4/2023

Splash Of Color by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A Warbonnet Dash 9 and an IC&E SD40-2 add a splash of color to the bleak early-spring landscape at Otis as they work west with a freight. 4/6/2014

Old School Trowbridge by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With their 645s howling, a pair of SD40s grind through East Lansing with M392. SD40-2 #5244 and IC SD40-3 #6253 would both later be equipped with straight air and reassigned to the Iron Range. In the distance, an approach can be seen on one of the GTW tri-lights that still protected the CSX diamond. 6/20/2007

Sunnyside Lead by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Passing the remains of the old Maggie's Lead (right), Z151 is east-bound on the Sunnyside Lead with a trio of SD40-2s leading around 60 cars. MQT #3389 sports a new, LED headlight. 12/8/2023

Smokey Start-Up by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Great Lakes Central GP35 #385 has just come to life as the engineer performs his inspection next to the old Ann Arbor RR shops in Owosso. #385 and sister #393 would be the power for the day's Lake Central Railtours Fall Color excursion to Cadillac and Yuma.

Built in 1964 the 385 and its sisters have worked in Michigan for their entire lives. The AAR Type B trucks were provided by EMD, as the AA had elected to trade their Alco FAs in as credit. The old wives' tale is that the trucks on the GP35s are actually from the FAs, but that is impossible. Most of the FAs were still on the property while the GP35s were being delivered! EMD was taking old locomotives in trade by the hundreds during this time, so while the trucks likely did ride under an Alco earlier in life, they weren't from an Ann Arbor FA. The inset bell on the engineer's side of the nose was a practice then-employed by the AA's parent, Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. Keen overservers will note that the DT&I's own GP35s had the bell in the same location. 10/27/2007

Busy Times at Judd by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

If one wants to catch a "lot" of train action in Grand Rapids, a weekday lunch hour at Judd St, located on the east end of Wyoming Yard, is a good spot to be. CSX's M326, L303, Y106, and Y197, along with Marquette Rail's Z151 and Grand Elk's Z439, are all often passing through this spot around the same time, which can make for some interesting meets. L303's power is seen at left, backing down the Old Even Lead, while Z151 makes their double on the Coach Lead. 11/14/2023

Thornapple Demo by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A short Q326 hurries over the Thornapple River bridge behind an SD60-SD50 duo. The lead unit, CSXT #8710, was originally built as EMD demonstrator #4, later being sold to Conrail as their #6841. It was retired by CSX in 2017 and sold to Larry's Truck & Electric. 8/1/2007

Clark Road 70s by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An east-bound NS intermodal is wasting no time as it blasts through Pine behind an SD70M and an SD70 still wearing Conrail blue. 7/14/2006

Entering Marquette Property by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

MQT #2007 sits with lights dimmed as the Z151 crew waits to copy their EC-1 for their journey south into Grand Rapids. #2007 would become MQT #2043 after G&W acquired Rail America. 2/9/2012

[AARR]

TY for the interesting info about the ALCo trucks. I am one of those that thought they came off the FA's but you're right, they could have come from another ALCo engine.

Great Lakes Central GP35 #385 has just come to life as the engineer performs his inspection next to the old Ann Arbor RR shops in Owosso. #385 and sister #393 would be the power for the day's Lake Central Railtours Fall Color excursion to Cadillac and Yuma.

Built in 1964 the 385 and its sisters have worked in Michigan for their entire lives. The AAR Type B trucks were provided by EMD, as the AA had elected to trade their Alco FAs in as credit. The old wives' tale is that the trucks on the GP35s are actually from the FAs, but that is impossible. Most of the FAs were still on the property while the GP35s were being delivered! EMD was taking old locomotives in trade by the hundreds during this time, so while the trucks likely did ride under an Alco earlier in life, they weren't from an Ann Arbor FA. The inset bell on the engineer's side of the nose was a practice then-employed by the AA's parent, Detroit, Toledo & Ironton. Keen overservers will note that the DT&I's own GP35s had the bell in the same location. 10/27/2007

[SD80MAC]

Conway Hump by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

SD40-2s of Norfolk & Western and Conrail heritage sandwich an ex Conrail MT-6 slug as they shove another cut of cars over the hump at Conway Yard. 8/14/2022

Shiny New Gevos by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

12 years ago this week, I happened across eastern coal train N894 rolling up the grade at Fox behind brand-new ES44AHs #988 and #987. The factory-fresh GEs were on their first voyage after having been delivered from Erie, with nary a spec of road grime yet on their pilots. After bringing their train to West Olive, these engines stuck around for the better part of 2 months as pusher power for the western coal trains headed for West Olive and Essexville. 12/24/2011

New Tracks by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After a rare Sunday afternoon run, my conductor and I decided to take our train down into the new tracks at the Transload in Hartford. These new tracks have a pit for unloading hoppers, which will greatly improve the operation. GLLX 4428 was along for the ride as it was being tested after receiving a new generator. 11/19/2023

The Runner by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Elkhart-Grand Rapids freight 36E has arrived in GR and is running along the edge of Hughart Yard on the Hughart Runner. The crew will tie down the train on the Runner and take the power, which on this day was the usual pair of B32-8s, over to the ex PRR engine house. Either the BG01 or BG02 yard job will break the train down later on. 1/25/2007

Light Power @ Godfrey by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A former Union Pacific (now CREX) C40-8 and a CSX C40-8W are running light as G010, passing under the former PM cantilever at Godfrey. The power will head east to either Grand Ledge or Webberville to put a loaded grain train together. CSX had many of these CREX Dash 8s leased in the 2011-2012 period. 3/23/2012

Durand Switchers by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

None to nose, GP38ACs #8802 and #8804 pause between switching duties at the north end of Durand Yard. These unique Geeps were originally B&O GP40s that were rebuilt by Helm in the late 80s with AR-10 alternators and non-turbo 645s for the Central Michigan. 11/25/2006

Waiting by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Marquette Rail's Z151 is stopped north of Turner St as the crew waits to copy their EC-1 before continuing south on CSX rails. The "C P" can be seen bleeding through GLLX 3002's Wisconsin Central-inspired nose emblem. 1/4/2012

Consolidation by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A young railfan takes it all in as Southern #630 sits at the depot in Chattanooga. The husky little 2-8-0 was still fairly fresh from rebuilding at this time, and had been powering many of Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam excursions. 9/28/2013

Hammer Down by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An SD70AC and ET44AH make easy work of a relatively short L303 as they head for Detroit on a sunny fall day. 11/14/2023

[SD80MAC]

J.B. Hunt by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An east-bound intermodal heavily laden with J.B. Hunt traffic puts the hammer down as they leave Chicago on the former B&OCT. 10/1/2023

Battle Creek by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The west end of CN's former GTW Battle Creek yard is a hive of activity on a warm spring day. While GTW #4919 goes about its switching, a Union Pacific SD60M is leading an east-bound down the mainline. An empty coal train and a west-bound freight are awaiting new crews at the fuel doc, while a set of power stands by. 3/13/2007

Winter Evening by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

It's an absolutely bitterly cold winter day in Grand Rapids as Q335 arrives at Wyoming yard behind a CW40-8, FURX SD40-2, and an MP15AC. 1/20/2007

Winter Rocket by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Huron & Eastern 702, "The Rocket", pulls around the Port Huron wye in Durand with GP40-2W #9712 leading C30-7 #5175. 1/19/2012

M371 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An SD60F and a C40-8W are about to take the turn off the Holly Sub and onto the Flint Sub on a warm spring day. The SD60Fs had only a few years left on the CN roster. 5/19/2013

MACs by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Posting this on an appropriately cold and snow day in western Michigan. Stopped under the Franklin St bridge waiting for a signal are an SD80MAC and an SD70MAC. This was a G010 crew that had put a grain train away at Grand Ledge and were now running to Grand Rapids since the taxis weren't running due to the storm. 2/10/2008

Working Moline by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Elk 303's SD40-2s pull back onto the former PRR mainline after working Nutrien AG in Moline. 11/9/2023

Changing Elkhart by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

NS #7575 is in the lead of 24M as the train passes under the New York central-era signal bridge at CP 421 in Elkhart. New switches and other materials were already being staged for the massive re-working of the control point. 8/21/2014

Blue Island by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A Metra Electric train and a pair of Iowa Interstate Gevos stand silent on a quiet Sunday in Blue Island. 5/23/2021

Quadrupling by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L508's SD70M-2 pair gets to work quadrupling up their train at CN's Flint Yard. In the background is the GM "Truck & Bus" assembly plant, where the HD Silverado and Sierra trucks are built. The GTW Heritage Unit was assigned to the L507/508 rotation for quite a while in late summer 2023. 9/10/2023

The West End by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Marquette Rail's Z151 has just yard their train in E08 and is now heading down the lead while CSX #2667 takes a break between switching duties. The GATX Geeps like #2652 were not long for MQT, with their replacements arriving very soon in the form of 5 ex UP GP38-2s. 8/10/2009

24M by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Former Conrail C40-8W #8335 is on "home rails" as it leads 24M east through South Bend. 6/23/2007

[David Collins]

A real what the f&%@ moment by David R. Collins, on Flickr

CPKC 137 is seen here stopped short of Delray Junction in Detroit on a gloomy Friday morning with quite the lashup:
CP AC4400CW (still in beaver paint)
KCS thundercab SD70ACe
UP AC6000CW (calling it that for simplicity's sake)
UP ES44AC
BNSF Dash 9-44CW
BNSF SD70ACe
...and, most noteworthy, an H2 paint BNSF SD70MAC
A good chunk of the H2 painted MAC's are either in storage or have been sold to new owners, although it was trailing, it was definitely a neat addition to an already impressive lashup.

[SD80MAC]

L326 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Long before CSX used "L" to designate locals, the letter was used to denote an "off-schedule" Q train. The symbol alternated from Q326 to L326 every other day, some kind of accounting magic they were trying out at the time. Anyway, L326 is shown here at CH 146 on Plymouth Sub with SD50-2 #8597 leading GCFX SD40-2 #3075 and RCPHG4 #9250. 6/19/2007

Helm Blues by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A matched pair of ex BN now HLCX SD40-2s lead Q326 east at milepost CH 147 on the Plymouth Sub. It's July of 2007, and leased SD40s are everywhere on CSX. 7/18/2007

A Fall Morning in Oak Harbor by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A former Conrail Dash 8 leads an intermodal east through Oak Harbor under NS's former NKP (originally Wheeling & Lake Erie) line from Toledo to Bellevue. These unique-looking GEs, with their high-mounted headlights, marker lights, and number boards on the nose, were seemingly everywhere. Until they weren't! 10/14/2011

Mid-2000s Elmhurst by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Two Union Pacific SD40-2s and a Dash 9 lead an east-bound through Elmhurst on a beautiful spring day in 2006. A large influx of Gevos and ACes over the next few years will spell the end of UP 40s leading road freights. 5/6/2006

X369 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Re-routed from its usual Garret Sub routing due to a derailment, X369 (normally Q369) comes crawling up out of the Thornapple River valley behind CW40-8 #7327 and CEFX SD40M-2 #3121. #7327 sports a Conrail Blue air conditioner. 4/30/2007

Frozen Thornapple by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A rebuilt SD70AC leads L303 across Cooke's Bridge and the Thornapple River on a snowy January day. 1/17/2024

[SD80MAC]

Godfrey Meet by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Grand Elk's Z439 is on its way back to Hughart Yard after completing its interchange at CSX's Wyoming Yard. Rolling east on the main with a pair of GP35s, the Elk job met CSX's Y106 at Godfrey, on their way back into the yard. Lately the Elk has been keeping their GP35 duo assigned to Grand Rapids instead of the usual single SD40-2. 12/13/2023

Evening East-Bound by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Five units lead by C40-8 #2129 have M370 in tow as the train rolls over the diamond and past the Durand Depot on a fine spring evening in 2012. 4/13/2012

Olivers Yard by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Local L521 sets some cars out at Olivers Yard in South Bend while the rest of their train sits 2 tracks over. A dead east-bound freight occupies Main 1. 11/4/2023

Coal on the Moffat Route by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A loaded UP coal train slogs its way through Rollinsville on the former Rio Grande mainline. An empty train is in the siding to my left, waiting for the loads to clear. 7/19/2010

[GP30M4216]

Michigan Shore making its great escape from Holland Waverly Yard northbound with lone unit #2019, 9 tanks and one shortie covered hopper. August 29, 2023.

This one-time Klemme Co-Op Grain car of Iowa was parked at Lansing's Ensel Yard on September 13, 2023. When this car was new, it was actually painted pink!

765 brings a fall colors run over the undulating Michigan terrain of Hillsdale County on an excursion on October 8, 2023.

[SD80MAC]

Geo by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

After spending most of the month of December in storage inside the old car shops in Grand Rapids, Geometry Train W003 is on the move again on the Plymouth Sub. Rumor has it that #9969 is going to be retired soon. 1/3/2024

Detroit-Bound by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A CW44AC and a CW40-9 depart Grand Rapids with L303 on a sunny December day. 12/13/2023

Solo MAC by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CSX #4810 rounds the curve east of Fox with Detroit-bound Q326. 8/13/2009

Morning in Durand by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Former Grand Trunk Western 4-6-2 #5632, a GTW wig-wag, and a GTW searchlight signal make for a fine display at Lions Park in Durand, MI. 6/4/2023

Sunny Day in Sarnia by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A CN yard job with a matched set of GP9RMs spliced by a slug are shoving part of a grain train down to the river front in Sarnia on a pleasant spring morning in 2013. 5/2/2013

Borrowed Time by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

L303 climbs up out of the Lake O dip and past the intermediates at CH 118. The searchlights on the Plymouth Sub are not long for the world, as a bad storm ripped through the area last summer and all but destroyed most of the code line. After issuing a temporary signal suspension for part of the line, the long-standing plans to replace these old signals were finally accelerated, and 2024 sounds like it will be the last year for searchlights on this part of the old Pere Marquette. New signals are already in service from CH 105 east towards Lansing. 2/16/2024

[SD80MAC]

Shortline Railroading by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Mid Michigan GP9 #24 trundles along the former Grand Trunk Western Grand Rapids Subdivision with 9 cars in tow. The crew had just completed one of their last trips to Ionia, and a couple of years later all of the track east of Lowell would be lifted.

Grand Rapids Eastern RR, Ada, MI 11/2/2007

Old School Romulus by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A leased Helm SD40-2 and a CW40-8 are running light power down the Saginaw Sub to pick up a train of loaded auto racks at TDSI in New Boston. This was probably something like a Q283 or Q287, but I apparently didn't take any notes on this day. The impressive C&O cantilever was still guarding the north end of the double track and the diamonds with Norfolk Southern's former Wabash mainline at this point. 2/4/2012

The X Factor by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A CF&E welded rail train is running extra on the old PRR mainline, past the old Pennsy depot at Hobart. Once a station stop for the "Valpo Dummy", the commuter service operated by PRR, PC, CR, and Amtrak, today it is used by the local Chamber of Commerce. Toledo, Peoria & Western #4056, a rare former SP GP40X, is leading the train as the spring sun begins to set. 4/6/2014

Trip Sodomizer by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

With only one unit online and the Trip Optimizer running, L303 is not setting any speed records as the train makes its way slowly east across the Plymouth Sub. 2/16/2024

Chicago by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

An F40PH-3 shoves on the rear of an in-bound Metra train on the north approach into Union Station. This view is no longer possible with a high rise being built over the tracks at this location. 3/15/2012

SAG 3 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Lake State #2052 and #1164 are bumping along the former Pere Marquette line to Port Huron whilst on their way out to switch Nexteer Automotive. This part of the line is owned by LSRC, east of town it is owned and operated by Huron & Eastern. #2052 was the last of the in-service GP38Ms, eventually being traded to Metro East Industries as credit for SD50s. 2/24/2012

[GP30M4216]

Morning in Durand by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Former Grand Trunk Western 4-6-2 #5632, a GTW wig-wag, and a GTW searchlight signal make for a fine display at Lions Park in Durand, MI. 6/4/2023

I've never seen a shot composed from this angle of the steamer and signal equipment at Durand. Well done! I wonder how long the wig wag banner has been missing?

An old Alco and our classic Ford Aerostar cross paths near White Pigeon as MSO RS2 #466 moseys back west with a short train in 1994. Somewhere I have a photo of the caboose which brought up the tail of this particular train.

In a slightly more wintery normal-winter situation, a late running Q327 hustles through Bangor passing vintage crossing protection in February 2021.

On a cloudless April 2023 afternoon, CN Q116 hits milepost 41 on the Shoreline Sub, passing the old Wyandotte depot beside the NYC mainline inn the backlground.

[DaveO]

I wonder how long the wig wag banner has been missing?

the google streetview has it there may, 2022.
hopefully not removed for someone's private collection.

[David Collins]

Katie's jackpot by David R. Collins, on Flickr

While my girlfriend Katie and I were breaking in her new F250, she knew from years of living in the area that "the train always stops in Grant for hours in the afternoon" (she isn't even a railfan and knew that, pretty darn cool), so she suggested we stop there and see if it was parked. The train in question was Marquette Rail Z151, the Baldwin-Grand Rapids turn.

Katie is from White Cloud (near where we go to school in Big Rapids, Ferris State University), which just so happens to have Marquette Rail running right through town, and we managed to chase it 4 times during first semester, this however was my first time seeing an MQT train. I'm absolutely fascinated with this shortline now and the variety of SD40-2's and geeps they have. Katie is definitely more interested in the SD40's.

This days Z151 had MQT SD40-2 3406, MQT GP38-2 2040 (still in UP armor yellow), MQT SD40-2 #3408 and MQT SD40-2 #3391 (a GMD built SD40-2 with classification lights and a cab mounted bell). They would end up sitting for another 4 hours or so before heading north to White Cloud. I would end up shooting this same train again a week later with a friend with the same power set.

[David Collins]

"polished turds" "massive piles of junk" "dollar store AC44CW"... by David R. Collins, on Flickr

...some of the many affectionate names that crews use to describe the NS AC44C6M's. Here we see a pair of C6M's heading west on NS 269 by the South Bend, Indiana Amtrak station. This train had nothing but trouble with PTC and Trip Optimizer out of it's crew change in Elkhart, and the t/o ended up being deemed as inoperative on this particular unit by the PTC help desk right after they passed us.

[SD80MAC]

Astoria by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The Astoria Riverfront Trolley departs from the 17th St stop at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Light ship Columbia can be seen moored in the background. 10/8/2023

New & Old @ Ivanrest by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Amtrak's Pere Marquette splits the new and old intermediates at CG 4.7 (Ivanrest) on the Grand Rapids Terminal Subdivision. The C&O-era searchlights were all in the process of being replaced during the summer of 2013, and would all be gone by the end of the year. 40th Anniversary NPCU #406 was a regular on the PM for most of 2013, and on this day was being pushed by Veteran's unit #42. 7/8/2013

SD50s In The Snow by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A few days before Christmas, a pair of SD50s and a C40-8 kick up some fresh powder as Q326 heads east on the Plymouth Sub. To this day, my favorite CSX power has always been YN2 SD50s. 12/22/2009

SP Sunset by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

HLCX SD40R #6341 sits in the Mickey Mouse at Wyoming Yard after leading a D907 in from Lansing. The now-closed East Tower stands sentinel in the background. 11/8/2015

Rolling Through The Woods by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Where GTW's 4-8-4s, 4-8-2s, and 4-6-2s once sprinted at 80 mph with Detroit-Muskegon passenger trains, Grand Rapids Eastern now trundles along at 25 mph. Mid Michigan #24 throttles back up to track speed after coming out of a slow order just east of Ada. 12/30/2009

Munger by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

CN #3884 leads O491, a Herzog ballast train, north under the DW&P bridge at Munger, MN. 6/9/2023

Evening Y119 by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

On a breezy March evening, Lake State Railway's Y119 rumbles north near Birch Run behind a spiffy pair of SD50s. 3/3/2024

Marlette Grain by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Huron & Eastern 815, a loaded CSX grain train, pulls into Lake State Railway's Saginaw Yard on a sunny March evening. This train was loaded on the HESR in Marlette, located on the former Pere Marquette Brown City Sub. Powering the train are SD40M-2 #3484, GP38-2 #2144, GP40-2W #3036, and SD40-2 #3390. These 90 car trains require 3 or 4 units due to the 0.70% grade on the line. After tying down the train here, the power went light across the Saginaw River and back to home rails. LSRC would take it south to CSX the next day. 3/3/2024

[SD80MAC]

Northtown Yard by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

A look at the yard office and tower at BNSF's busy Northtown Yard in the Twin Cities. At left, 3 Dash 9s and 2 SD40-2s form one of the hump sets. 6/10/2023

Potterville by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Q116's single SD70M-2 has it lights dimmed as it rolls east to meet a west-bound freight at the end of the doubletrack in Potterville. 3/3/2024

Burns Harbor Railroad by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Burns Harbor Railroad's BHS200 crew is busy drilling cars at the port as flames from one of the blast furnaces dance in the evening sky. The railroad currently employs a trio of leased GATX GP38-2s, which the employees have lettered for the company. 10/1/2023

Pacing a Tunnel Motor by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Bessemer & Lake Erie SD40-3 #900 leads U718 south on the Missabe Sub, viewed from parallel Highway 7. 6/8/2023

City Market Work by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

The crew of Y195 prepare to dismount the #2659 as they get ready to pull a reefer from Michigan Natural Storage on the City Market Lead. 8/8/2012

Allen Junction by Jonathon Leese, on Flickr

Taconite empties running as U792-08 come to a stop in the siding at Allen Junction to meet loaded train U789-08, which is stopped on the main behind me. The conductor is climbing down to do his roll-by inspection of the empties, and shortly the train will resume it's journey to Two Harbors. Trios of CN's fleet of ex Chicago & North Western C40-8s are the rule on the Iron Range Sub trains for now, but rebuilt Dash 9s are expected to replace them in the near future. 6/8/2023