The Ironwood Belt Railroad
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:48 pm
The Ironwood Belt Railroad (Reporting Mark IB) is a Class III Short Line Railroad that was formed on Monday, August 19, 2013 as a reorganization of the Alma and South Michigan Railroad (Reporting Mark ASM). The IB operates approximately 100 miles of Right-of-Way between Osmer, Michigan and Alma, Michigan. Major commodities include sand and grain, with occasional automotive and intermodal trains. All rights obtained under ASM control are still in effect.
The IB has decided to maintain the decision to upgrade and expand the repair facilities of Owosso, Michigan. Construction will continue to proceed on the facilities and Monday, July 7, 2014 is maintained as the current goal for completion of the project. The IB has also made the decision to begin construction of a second operating easement for higher priority trains. The new operating easement will host the daily MoTown Commuter Rail operations between Ann Arbor and Howell as well as the automotive and intermodal specials.
The second operating easement's construction is to begin on Monday, September 2, 2013 and is scheduled to be complete by Monday, March 24, 2014. The easement will be constructed with several sidings to avoid interference with trains on the original operating easement. Upon completion of the new easement, the original easement will be upgraded to the standards of the new easement. The new Right-of-Way should improve efficiency with regard to track speed, maintenance cost, and public image.
The IB has maintained the ASM roster, with EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 and EMD GP50s #3150-3157. However, IB motive power management has decided, based on ASM motive power efficiency records, that more locomotives will be needed for the expansion of the railroad. With that said, the IB has entered into an agreement with the BNSF Railway to purchase EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705. The IB is still searching for motive power, but have decided that current power should be sufficient for the rest of the year.
The EMD GP39-2s #2700-2701 will head to a rebuild facility while EMD GP39-2s #2702-2705 will come directly to IB property. The IB will send two EMD GP39-2s at a time to a selected rebuild facility so that four EMD GP39-2s will be on the property at any given time. The EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 will head to Larry's Truck and Electric one at a time beginning Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Norfolk Southern Railway's Juniata Locomotive Works is still the designated painter for all motive power.
The IB expects that normal operations will commence on Monday, August 26, 2013 following this week's commotion. IB officials are excited to begin this new chapter of operation and they look forward to working with interchange partners, customers, and railroads across Michigan and the surrounding states.
Locomotive Roster
EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]
Interchange Points
Osmer, MI (AA)
Howell, MI
Ann Pere, MI (MQT)
Durand, MI (GLH)
Owosso, MI
Alma, MI (GLH, SAMM)
The IB has decided to maintain the decision to upgrade and expand the repair facilities of Owosso, Michigan. Construction will continue to proceed on the facilities and Monday, July 7, 2014 is maintained as the current goal for completion of the project. The IB has also made the decision to begin construction of a second operating easement for higher priority trains. The new operating easement will host the daily MoTown Commuter Rail operations between Ann Arbor and Howell as well as the automotive and intermodal specials.
The second operating easement's construction is to begin on Monday, September 2, 2013 and is scheduled to be complete by Monday, March 24, 2014. The easement will be constructed with several sidings to avoid interference with trains on the original operating easement. Upon completion of the new easement, the original easement will be upgraded to the standards of the new easement. The new Right-of-Way should improve efficiency with regard to track speed, maintenance cost, and public image.
The IB has maintained the ASM roster, with EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 and EMD GP50s #3150-3157. However, IB motive power management has decided, based on ASM motive power efficiency records, that more locomotives will be needed for the expansion of the railroad. With that said, the IB has entered into an agreement with the BNSF Railway to purchase EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705. The IB is still searching for motive power, but have decided that current power should be sufficient for the rest of the year.
The EMD GP39-2s #2700-2701 will head to a rebuild facility while EMD GP39-2s #2702-2705 will come directly to IB property. The IB will send two EMD GP39-2s at a time to a selected rebuild facility so that four EMD GP39-2s will be on the property at any given time. The EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 will head to Larry's Truck and Electric one at a time beginning Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Norfolk Southern Railway's Juniata Locomotive Works is still the designated painter for all motive power.
The IB expects that normal operations will commence on Monday, August 26, 2013 following this week's commotion. IB officials are excited to begin this new chapter of operation and they look forward to working with interchange partners, customers, and railroads across Michigan and the surrounding states.
Locomotive Roster
EMD GP39-2s #2700-2705 (6) [ex-BN/BNSF]
EMD GP40-2s #3100-3101 (2) [ex-DRGW/SP/UP]
EMD GP50s #3150-3157 (8) [ex-BN/BNSF]
Interchange Points
Osmer, MI (AA)
Howell, MI
Ann Pere, MI (MQT)
Durand, MI (GLH)
Owosso, MI
Alma, MI (GLH, SAMM)