Within the past month, the Maumee and Western has aquired ex-NS/NW covered hopper that camw from the previous owner (initials JBRX).
In Fostoria, OH, CSX and NS have laid out new diamonds for the NKP/C&O crossing.
See you next year and keep me update on news. Cass Telles - webmaster
Saturday (11/20/99) WILI-50 (I maybe wrong about the train symbol.) was nailed by the Ada Dragging Equipment Detecter (DED). 'LI-50' was travelling east when it stopped at Ada to drop off grain cars at the elevator. The cause was not known why the DED set off an alarm. Note: 'LI-50 operates between Lima, OH to Crestline, OH and back to Lima on the ex-CR Ft Wayne Line.
The Indiana and Ohio had a minor derailment this evening during a switching move in Ford Park Yard. No damage occured and as of 8:30 p.m. the car has been rerailed.
A southbound I&O train was delayed because of the derailment. (News courtesy of Eric Davis)
Today at 6:15 AM, westbound CSX 8887 (ex-CR SD40-2) struck a car at the crossing of Coy Rd west of US 127. The car traveled 5/8 of mile before the train could stop.
Killed, was a mother and daughter of Sherwood (names of the deceased withheld), while CSX employee was taken to the Defiance Hospital where he has treated and released.
The State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. The crossing was reported to be protected by crossbucks where the incident happened.
Toledo Rail Congestion 11/16/99 (Condensed from The Toledo Blade article by David Patch)
In recent weeks, CSX has experienced congestion on all of its routes leading to Toledo. Backups have been reported to be far away as Carleton, MI and Fostoria, OH.
Dwell times have been reported to be 54.8 hours in the Toledo terminals versus 54.7 at Willard, OH. This equated to be 13.2 hours worse than CSX's average October performance, while Willard was 8.7 hours slower.
Increased traffic in grain and automotive goods along with exceeded capacity in the former CR Stanley Yard seem to be the center of most of the problems in the Toledo area. Stanley Yard is reported to be at 1 1/3 to 1 ½ over the expected merger capacity.
NS, on the other hand, has seen an improvement to their problems in Toledo. Although there is some delays due to crew shortages and yard congestion, NS seems to be more fluid.
Dwell times at Bellevue have dropped by 12 hours while Conway Yard is still having chronic delays.
Amtrak seems to be caught up in the freight delays by both NS and CSX. On time performance out of Toledo Station routes have been at 23.8 percent in October while the first 11 days of November have performance at 33.6 percent. It seems that Amtrak's Pennsylvanian has been experiencing the worst performance due to the delays.
(Full article available in The Toledo Blades's Region Section Page 19.)
This weekend CSX has a Sperry car (#125 I beleive) park in the south leg of wye in the Lima yard. The car has been working around Wapak, OH and working its way north. Here's a heads up for everyone.
Today (10-9-99) Q-150 struck a vehicle (Chevy Blazer) at Jacobs killing the driver. The train stopped about MP 93.3 near a private road crossing. Apparently, the driver stopped for a westbound on Track 1 but, failed to see Q-150 on track 1 going east. Note: The tracks (looking west to 'Bend Bridge') curve to the left but, visibility has improved due to brush removal.
Q-150 lead unit CSX 7339 (ex-CR, repainted) , had light to moderate damage to the plow, steps and handrails. Other units were CSX (CR) 7361 and 7350. The new crew on Q-150 plans to turn the units in Deshler. Work to repair CSX 7339 will be done in Willard.
Photos Available. NOTE: If you cannot stand to see wreckage, PLEASE DO NOT VIEW. ALSO, none of these photos have blood or deceased people in them. It's not my belief to show extremely graphic photos.
Late Friday night (9/24) around 11:30 PM S-500 derailed its last car at Mulberry/Keyser St. On the southeast wye. S-501 dragged its derailed propane car to Henry Co. Rd. 5 before stopping (head of train at E. Hamler). The derailed car was seen by local railfans and was heard by a CSX track maintanace employee who lives nearby the point of derailment. The employee chased the train and was able to stop it. Damage consists of ties, broken diverging rail on the opposing x-over, and another broken rail after the x-overs on #1 track. S-501 was heading north/west around the wye and crossed over from #2 to #1 at Deshler. Hulcher arrived on around 2 AM with one sidewinder and dozer. trains should be moving by 6 AM and the latest by 8 AM estimated. More info later on today.
Today (9-18-99), there was a fire at the old Amtrak depot in Lima, OH on the old Ft Wayne line. The fire damaged the trackside passenger entrance and the second floor. The building is moderately damaged from the incident. Authorities believe the fire was arson and was started outside uder the roof of the passenger entrance. I checked the building around 12:00 AM tonight (9/19), and found the damaged was boarded up. I expect the depot to be demolished from this fire.
NS is installing crossing gates on Sugar St. near Robb Ave. This would upgrade the crossing protection from flashers to gates. Also, the interchage track will be covered in this installation. Noted: The crossing is located next the the I&O Morris interlocking just south of Ford Park on the I&O.
Loram Rail Grinder (C2101 was the number) was throwing the sparks this late afternoon in Ottawa, Ohio. They were concentrating their efforts on the curve (one of the few between Lima and Toledo) that turns the Toledo Sub from its due north-south orientation to a northeast orientation that takes it to Deshler and points north.
Also sitting in Ottawa passing siding was a CSX rail train. Looks like CSX may be replacing rail either on the main or the siding as the "threader" equipment was parked nearby. News courtsey of Eric Davis
The depot, in Archbold, OH, is in the process of demolition and removal. It is owned by a private individual and is being removed due to its deteriorated state. It is noted that the depot housed passenger, freight, and REA. Demolition was started on Thursday July 15, and as of Monday July 19, was only half complete. The owner noted that the building was fire damaged and vandalized by local juveniles.
Other remaining depots in NW Ohio are Bryan Freight and passenger, Wauseon, and Delta. The Bryan (freight) depot and the depot at Delta are still used by NS. The other two depots at Bryan (passenger) and Wauseon are privately owned with the depot at Wauseon open on Tuesday Nights during the towns cruise nights.
NS will be resurfacing the line between Stryker, OH and Archbold, OH. Crews arrived at Archbold on Monday July 19, in the controlled siding. The controlled siding will also be resurfaced during this work.
The pair of locos that hit TOEL at CP 340 have been removed from the Stock track near CP 342 on 5/20/99. They were removed in the morning hours, but no train ID or exact time known. My guess is that the pair went to Altoona.
The Maumee & Western is currently working in Napoleon replacing ties. Something that has been over due for a long time. See my site for a track chart. (MAW news courtesy of Brian Schmidt and CR news via webmaster).
The parking lot of CR at the depot has been paved today. Also the two wreck units are still there. They are sitting on the Stock track off the #1 main near CP 342. (Cass Telles)
TV2H/TOEL4 Incident at Bryan, OH
The Conrail System Operations Bureau advises that at 00:15 EDT. this morning train TOEL-4 while making a pickup on controlled siding at Bryan, OH shoved off siding into the face of train TV-2H resulting in derailment of 2 locomotives and 9 head cars on train TV-2H and 7 rear cars of train TOEL-4's pickup. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but both mains are blocked. Latest estimate is that the Chicago Line will not be back in service until 21:00 EDT tonight. The following trains are being detoured: Eastbound: MAIL-8 and MAIL-8M via Norfolk Southern TV-10 and TV-100 Via CSX Westbound: TV-9 and TV-13 Via CSX Mail-9 Via Norfolk Southern
DERAILMENT UPDATE:
TV-2H apparently hit rear car of TOEL-4's pickup: an empty gondola, which probably helped minimize injury impact. The two crew members from train TV-2H were taken to Community Hospitals of Williams County in Bryan, OH for treatment of minor injuries, and they reportedly were pretty shook up by the incident. The derailment car count for train TOEL-4 was later revised to four cars. Pretty clear it blew the signal at CP-340 making an unprotected backup move. Division transportation superintendent Ronald Close said investigation would focus on why train TOEL-4 was ``obviously fouling'' the interlocking. Train TV-2H had recently refueled at the Elkhart, IN pad, lead unit (renumbered SD50 5460) spilled estimated 7,400 gallons of diesel fuel at site, which was contained. Some damage to nose and pilot of lead engine. Crossing signal bungalow and one light-gate assembly wiped out, as was 2-siding switch and a utility pole carrying a 34kv feeder line, causing 800 Toledo Edison customers to loose power for up to 90 minutes. Third-class mail and UPS parcels scattered across the wreck site; some of the cargo heaped into piles off the right-of-way by Hulcher and Corman while UPS brown-shirts reloaded intact stuff into trucks and postal inspectors watched over the wrecked junkmail. Small quantities of hazardous materials also were in some of the damaged trailers, but nothing escaped. An example: one trailer contained, at least in part, jugs of bubble-gum flavoring extract, which contains ethylene glycol and is highly flammable. Track one reopened at about 18:00 EDT and track two expected at back midnight. Amtrak trains 29 and 49 diverted via CSX, ran very late; many passengers were reaccommodated via plane, bus, or bus-train via Ann Arbor, MI. Don't know what became of trains 30, 48, 44, and 43. Train TOEL-4 was powered by C40-8W 6274 and SD50 6740 and consisted of 20 loads and 30 empties and was picking up 45 cars at Bryan, OH at the time of the accident. Train TV-2H was powered by SD50 5460 and C36-7 6629 and consisted of 27 loads.News courtesy of: David Patch
5/5/99 CR Bryan, OH - Webmaster Update
As of 9 PM, westbounds were moving on track #2. A 30 MPH speed restriction was placed on #2 track at MP 342(10 MPH through the wreck site). By 10:30 PM, Amtrak #30 was on the move, and by 10:45 PM, Amtrak 48 was also eastbound. No movements are made on the #1 track as of 11 PM due to track work.
Also noted:
The two wrecked units are located on the stock track. This track is located near CP 342 off of the #1 track.
The MAW has sold #442 to a person in Connersville, IN. The loco is currently in Defiance at the moment, but no planned date of removal. Also noted: #221 was transferred to Connersville, IN. Report is that #221 journal bearing trucks need replaced with roller bearing trucks. NS is reported to frown upon the old trucks and wants them replaced before any future interchange of the loco. #344 Ex-SF (blue & yellow) GP7 will replace the leaving power.
The MAW had a few minor derailments last week. One in Liberty Center, OH, One in Napoleon, OH and one in Jewel, OH. The wreck in Jewel put three cars and one loco on the ground. RJ Corman rerailed the wreck.
CSX (Y101) delivered a scale test car to Omini Source in Defiance. The number of the car is Chessie System (C&O) 914204.
Conrail's ex-PRR tower in Lima, Ohio (call letters "NS") was demolished today, Wednesday, April 7th, 1999. The same contractor who demolished Rochester and MO also did NS. They will demolish RAVE Tower in Ravenna, Ohio upon completion of the Lima project, perhaps as early as Friday. From there, it is on to other towers along the Conrail system such as AR, MG, Berea, Marion, etc.
Information courtesy of: J.E. Landrum and CRTS
The Maumee and Western is looking to sale its RSD-15 #442 to a potential buyer in Connersville, IN. No word on finalization of the sale. Also up for sale is the SW-1200 221. No buyers yet on the loco. The MAW may bring up an ex-SF GP7 to replace the power leaving. NOTE: #442 has been out of service with a bad governor.
Cass Telles
CSX had a minor derailment with the work train on yard track #8. This happened around 6 PM and the cars were rerailed by 11:30 PM. Rerailing was done by RJ Corman.
Work is being done on the Auglaize River bridge on track #1. Replacement of bridge timbers (ties) and steel work are the focus of the crews.
Ballast cleaning is also happening in the 'GM' yard. Crews are using a self-propelled cleaner that can travel over-the-road as a trailer. The Kershaw unit is coupled to one of the three side-dump cars in the yard. The other two cars are coupled to a MOW Pumkin (GP40).
On March 27, at 8 p.m., CSX train L22727 with two locomotives and 91 loaded freight cars (6994 tons) was departing Walbridge, Ohio when it derailed the 40th and 41st cars at Union Street. Both the inbound and outbound tracks B were blocked for nearly 12 hours. Cause still under Investigation. This derailment caused massive congestion on the Toledo Terminal for all trains enroute to Toledo. (Courtesy of Railpace Magazine-Hotnews posted 3/31)
2/13/99 CSX/NS - Fostoria, Ohio As of 2/13/99, CSX has began the cutover of the signal system at Fostoria. All trains operate under signal suspension rules. Signals out of service: CSX(B&O) Godsend crossover to E. Fostoria, CSX(C&O) interlocking limits of 'F' tower, and NS 'FS' To Ilers. Stop signs are placed at all diamonds.Target completion of project is 3 to 4 weeks. Also noted: the panel from 'F' Tower is removed. Location of the panel is unknown at this time. In other news, CSX will be replacing the diamond at Deshler, OH. Starting date unknown at this time.
2-2-99 Conrail: Stryker, OH Conrail has rerailed the two surving units of that wreck at MP 337.2. Rerailing started at 11:30 AM and lasted until 3:00 PM with RJ Corman crews providing the lifting services. Actual time to rerail both units were between 45 minutes to an hour, but due to traffic, this took longer than an hour. They rerailed the 6031 one first on a pair of dummy trucks. Followed by the 6049 also on dummy trucks. No problems were incountered. The units remained on the #1 main until OYIH3D's power moved them. By 7 PM, the units were set off at Bryan, OH in lower yard #2 track where they remain as of the moment. No word yet on the movement out of the locos from Bryan. Also Noted: OYIH3D was a wide load movement west. Its train contains the following power and cars: CR 6734 - SD50 CR 53512 - Side dump car QTTX 131107 - 6 axle(x4) Flatcar CR 53335 - Side dump car CR 587407 - Gond. G52Q class ITGX - 101 4 axle (x4) Depressed center flat
