Shortline Updates May 2023

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

Grand Elk just went by the Elkhart cam at 9:48am towards the Elkhart yard with WAMX 4189 and WAMX 4209 leading 90 cars. A mix of box cars, tank cars, a bunch of covered hoppers (around 50 of them made up most of the end of the train), a loaded gondola and two High Top NS hopper cars.

I counted 84 cars ish. Whoever moved the camera at the time messed up my count. Not even sure why the camera was moved to get the NS switcher with caboose when you couldn’t see the train itself behind Grand Elks boxcars

Z151-04 approaching Market St at the Wye at 10:24am, no visual

Z151-04 @ 10:30 reported approaching at Marquette St with 44 cars

Yeah I totally agree. You could be correct on the car count as the movement also messed me up. All of those covered hoppers had been sitting in the yard since at least Tuesday. I saw them there when I drove over to Comstock that day.

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

Grand Elk back by the Elkhart cam heading back to Kalamazoo at 11:38am with the same power leading 52 cars. A mix of box cars, tank cars, covered hoppers, 3 loaded center beams and 3 loaded High Top NS hopper cars.

[Andy24]

Z151-04 @ 11:47 heading eastbound and reported slow clear at Godfrey Ave mp 0.99 with MQT #2043 leading

Z151-04 @ 12:25 reported highballing Comstock Park

[Steamlogger]

Marquette rail north past 6 mile road with 2 Geeps, 1 SD and 14 cars.

[kd_1014]

GRE west Ada 13:10

[LansingRailFan]

14:00 - HESR 702 inbound to Durand using the Port Huron wye for headroom

[MQT1223]

Southbound JAIL about to go under 96. Couldn’t tell what’s leading but I assume 822. Train is short today, maybe a car or two.

[LansingRailFan]

15:00 - HESR 701 job backs up on the Port Huron Wye so they can head back NE. Pair of orange boys today

[Andy24]

Grand Elk horns heard clear as day in the distance of Wyoming area at 3:20pm, no visual on engines itself or cars

[Jim_c]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 4:29pm. WAMX 4125 solo with 14 cars. couple covered hoppers, 2 boxcars on the rear and rest tank cars.

4124 and 4125 In Plainwell at 6:15. Unsure how long of a train as they were picking up the Otsego cars.

[Talk]

Z627-05 os Grand Haven @ 08:53. MMRR 2019 solo heading South

[Andy24]

Marquette Rail Z151-05 @ 9:45 reported highballing Comstock Park with MQT #3391, assuming heading south to GR

Grand Elk was seen heading towards Elkhart Yard on the Elkhart Cam at 9:53 with WAMX #4206 + WAMX #4189 (elephant style) and 23 ish cars. Behind head end engines were 3 empty intermodal cars followed by 1 tanker, 4 boxcars, 2 covered hoppers, 1 blue GATX boxcar, 3 tankers, 2 empty centerbeams, 1 tanker, and 3 grain cars

Z151-05 @ 10:11 reported arriving at Turner St Yard with MQT #3391 leading and engineer reported “Happy Cinco De Mayo”

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

Grand Elk just went by the Elkhart cam at 10:52am towards Kalamazoo with WAMX 4189 and WAMX 4206 both LHF leading 24 cars. A mix of box cars, covered hoppers, tank cars, a loaded center beam and a loaded gondola car.

[Andy24]

Z151-05 @ 10:53am copied an EC1 to proceed southbound through Fuller Junction with MQT #3391 + MQT #2042 + MQT #2040 + MQT #3406 and 66 cars

[~Z~]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 2:13pm. WAMX 4125, WAMX 4124, and 36 cars. Good mix of boxcars, covered hoppers and tank cars, with 1 loaded centerbeam in there, might have been going to L&W supply, didn't look like lumber.

[Andy24]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 2:13pm. WAMX 4125, WAMX 4124, and 36 cars. Good mix of boxcars, covered hoppers and tank cars, with 1 loaded centerbeam in there, might have been going to L&W supply, didn't look like lumber.

Grand Elk approaching the Wyoming Area at 2:38pm. Heard faint distance horns, no visuals but would assume the same train

[~Z~]

Grand elk south through Byron Center at 5:40pm. Wamx 4124 and 4125 with 33 cars. 29th car sounded like sticking brake and flat spot on wheel.

[GP30M4216]

Late report:

Earlier today at 11:30, the Grand Elk CSX interchange with the twin GP35s 3531 and 3534 east heading for home turn with 29 cars. MQT was waiting to come in at Plaster Creek with 66 cars, 3391, 2042, 2040 and 3406.

MQT completed their interchange work and headed back north with a long train. They tied down north of Grant at the Nelson Farm Market crossing for the weekend.

[KC8RBK]

According to atcs lake state nb about to cross the cn in Holly 1012

[kd_1014]

G126 grain train is bound for the Marquette today, assuming pick up will be on Monday or Tuesday. They should also pick up BPRR 3345.