Shortlines Train Locations Updates - March 2024

[~Z~]

Where does the Elk turn locomotives?

Pretty sure they end up turning at Elkhart. It's a pretty rare occasion. They could turn in downtown GR as well, but generally they don't turn unless something is up with the locos.

[SD80MAC]

Correct, the only place they can turn power is on the wye in Elkhart yard or the wye in Grand Rapids.

[GP30M4216]

Correct, the only place they can turn power is on the wye in Elkhart yard or the wye in Grand Rapids.

Could they turn on the wye at Kilgore Yard in Kalamazoo? Pfizer also has a wye but I think it’s within the company complex in Portage.

[SD80MAC]

Good point, I would guess they could use Kilgore if needed.

[~Z~]

Grand elk south through Byron Center at 10:02am. Wamx 4225, 4124 and 21 mixed cars.

[Andy24]

CSX M326 today brought in about 17 more grain loads for GRE

[kd_1014]

GRE east at Ada 10:15 with 1 Poly car

[kd_1014]

GRE west thru Ada 11:42 with 10 King empties and the 1 Poly car

[Plannerdad]

GRE west thru Ada 11:42 with 10 King empties and the 1 Poly car

13 cars were seen on the WB at Ann St. Also MQT NB had ~140. My source said the last 80 or so looked like grain hoppers probably for Newaygo.

[NickThatRailfan]

Indiana Northeastern getting ready to weigh cars in Hillsdale 2230, 2216, 1601. Heading south when done

[Andy24]

GRE west thru Ada 11:42 with 10 King empties and the 1 Poly car

13 cars were seen on the WB at Ann St. Also MQT NB had ~140. My source said the last 80 or so looked like grain hoppers probably for Newaygo.

Should be 88 empty CSX marked grain cars from G126-19 that came late last night around 12am

[NickThatRailfan]

Indiana Northeastern south out of Hillsdale at 2:33pm with a scale test car. Dropped 1601 by Burger King in Hillsdale 2230 and 2216 are the engines now. Ending the day in Fremont, IN

[~Z~]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 10:12am. WAMX 4189, 4209, and 35 cars. Good mix of everything. loaded centerbeam on the headend, probably for L&W supply.

[Andy24]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 10:12am. WAMX 4189, 4209, and 35 cars. Good mix of everything. loaded centerbeam on the headend, probably for L&W supply.

Now I’m hearing Grand Elk NB @ 10:40am, sounds like they are around 36th St in Wyoming, MI.

[Mark F]

Grand Elk southbound through Cutlerville.

[~Z~]

Grand Elk southbound through Cutlerville.

Indeed - WAMX 4209 and WAMX 4189 with 39 cars in tow at 1:25pm south through Byron Center.

[Jim_c]

Same power sitting in Plainwell at 5:35. it's just North of the M89 crossing. it looks like they've picked up the Otsego box cars and I presume. They have hooked it to the rest of the train l. There is no sign of life around the engines.

[Andy24]

Hearing Marquette Rail in downtown GR at 11:24am

[LansingRailFan]

HESR brought a grain train down yesterday at 02:30 to Durand. 2026/3036/3867/3484 were the power on this 800 job loaded grain train.

Later yesterday the SB 702 job had 3414/3390/3036. When 701 went north they only had 3390/3414, leaving 3036 in Durand for possibly another grain empty.

HESR hauling a lot more grain trains lately and they’ve got two additional engines coming off of the CFE to help with the grain biz.

[~Z~]

Grand Elk north through Byron Center at 3:13pm. WAMX 4189, WAMX 4209, and 8 cars.