December 16, 201410 yr Has anyone heard the CSX railroad commercials that play on WLW700? For a commercial, they are done really well and get the point across about the benefits of railroads.
December 16, 201410 yr Author Not everywhere, sadly. "Finally, there is a report that NS is eyeing the Peavine route between Cincinnati and Portsmouth, Ohio. A short line operator, Frontier Rail, has been serving customers in the Cincinnati area after NS ceased using the former Norfolk & Western route." NS just made the NS Cincinnati Division out-of-service from 73.50 at Plum Run to 105 at West Portsmouth/Vera earlier this month. It's also been 10 years since any train has operated between Peebles and West Portsmouth. The notable reasons being that the Scioto River Bridge needs major repairs and the steeper grades and tight curves east of Peebles makes it difficult to operate trains over. They still do maintain the line. CCET is now the proud operator of the line from Clare/Mariemont east to Plum Run, though. The article noted rumors that NS may reconsider abandoning and instead use this line. If they don't, they are following Conrail's anti-competitive doctrine of playing keep-away with railroad corridors by abandoning the middle section of a railroad line so that others cannot acquire it, rebuild it and use it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 18, 201410 yr Author Norfolk Southern continues to make improvements to the Fort Wayne Line between its namesake and Bucyrus. This line is owned by CSX, operated by G&W subsidiary Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern RR, and dispatched by NS's Pittsburgh West dispatcher. The improvements consist of replacing roughly every third tie, new ballast, tamping and some road crossing resurfacings. I'm told that crossings on the west side of Lima aren't being resurfaced which will keep in place a 10 mph slow order. CF&E wants to remove some of those street crossings, so no improvements will be made to them until there's a resolution to the dispute. Of course, running more and longer trains at 10 mph through that area might convince the city to allow some of the road crossings to be removed. Anyway... All indications are that NS will run oil trains and occasional mixed freights via the Fort Wayne Line. NS began running mixed freights this way in November. Want proof? Scroll through photos and descriptions starting with this one in Ada, OH on Dec. 6 where track speed was recently upgraded by CF&E to 25 mph with a tie renewal program and now NS is further raising it to 40 mph with another tie renewal (so soon, and in winter?? NS must really have an accelerated work schedule!): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152709712962182&set=pcb.364813160363609&type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204394867325930&set=pcb.363402903837968&type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152697410662182&set=gm.362011017310490&type=1&theater Tie renewal gang with about 20 pieces of equipment working near Ada, OH on Dec. 8: And how do we know these are NS crews doing the work? Well.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 5, 201510 yr Author Anybody who doubts the spectacular comeback of the railroad industry should read this. Orders for new freight cars are so strong some builders are struggling to find enough wheels. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mechanical/article/Railcar-forecast-83000-freight-cars-in-2015--42859?source=pr_digital01/05/2015 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 5, 201510 yr Nice to see the Fort Wayne line come back. It was downgraded and neglected under Conrail, but it had been in sore shape for a while before that. I just came back from Cleveland and did some nice drives all around. Lots of oil trains!
January 19, 201510 yr Author Track expansion at old Republic site could make Massillon a Utica rail hub Republic Short Line is starting a railroad line operation Feb. 1 at the former Republic Steel property. By Steven M. Grazier Independent staff writer Posted Jan. 17, 2015 @ 7:15 am MASSILLON - A vast industrial zone in the southwest section of the city could be booming again in the near future. Republic Short Line is starting a railroad line operation at the former Republic Steel property, 411 Oberlin Ave. SW. The new business is prepping for rail delivery and storage of 600 miles of pipe to be used for natural gas development in Ohio, Michigan and Canada, according to owner Steven DiPietro, who said the first round of deliveries is slated for Feb. 1. “We’re putting Massillon dead center in Utica Shale play,” said DiPietro. “We could become the biggest pipe yard in the country.” The company sits on more than 460 acres, which is also home to Tiger Sand & Gravel and other companies planning relocation or expansion. Read more: http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20150116/News/150119411#ixzz3PHr2yRV6 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 23, 201510 yr Author Reads like a press release from G&W/CFE.... More, faster freight trains headed for Van Wert County Van Wert independent/submitted information FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Van Wert County will be seeing more trains over the next few months, but they should also get through the county faster. The Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE) announced Thursday a track improvement project enabling 40-mph train speeds across the entire 315-mile rail line from Tolleston, Indiana, to Crestline in Ohio. Work includes leveling and aligning nearly 50 track-miles, replacing segments of rail and installing more than 10,000 new railroad ties. Projected for completion this month, the project will help alleviate rail freight congestion in the metro-Chicago area by creating an alternate route for trains going to and from the Chicago rail gateway. CFE anticipates up to six additional eastbound freight trains per day over its line upon completion of the project. The additional trains, expected to carry energy products such as crude oil, bulk commodities such as grain, and other general merchandise, will be operated by Norfolk Southern Railway, which has rights to operate over the CFE and dispatches all trains on the line. MORE: http://www.thevwindependent.com/news/2015/01/more-faster-freight-trains-headed-for-van-wert-county/#more-59990 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 25, 201510 yr Author Not everywhere, sadly. "Finally, there is a report that NS is eyeing the Peavine route between Cincinnati and Portsmouth, Ohio. A short line operator, Frontier Rail, has been serving customers in the Cincinnati area after NS ceased using the former Norfolk & Western route." NS just made the NS Cincinnati Division out-of-service from 73.50 at Plum Run to 105 at West Portsmouth/Vera earlier this month. It's also been 10 years since any train has operated between Peebles and West Portsmouth. The notable reasons being that the Scioto River Bridge needs major repairs and the steeper grades and tight curves east of Peebles makes it difficult to operate trains over. They still do maintain the line. CCET is now the proud operator of the line from Clare/Mariemont east to Plum Run, though. The rumors about NS restarting traffic on the Peavine are not true. But another railroad is... CCET is expanding east to Seaman, MP 62.20. Right now the company focus is on returning service between Williamsburg and Seaman to serve a grain elevator. Now if some one can generate the car loads to justify CCET going to Peebles they said they will look into it. Here is the link to the STB filing: http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/6084f194b67ca1c4852567d9005751dc/07321e890ec3c76185257dd50065de90?OpenDocument EDIT: I'm having trouble opening this document and everything else on the STB's site. So maybe someone else is having better luck? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 26, 201510 yr Yeah, it's pretty significant. There is an elevator in Winchester (http://goo.gl/maps/Q98Fn) that wants to resume rail service, but stopped under NS because of their high fees (although CCET is bound to those same fees) and infrequent service (which CCET improves upon greatly). The only industry left to the east is the quarry east of Peebles (http://goo.gl/maps/zvoZC), but they specialize in their product and ship to customers not-that-far-away in Kentucky and southern Ohio. A representative from CCET was commenting over at CincyRails about how rail could be restored to the quarry, but it wouldn't get much, if any traffic, especially if it's still railbanked to the east. I think the Scioto River bridge has issues, too.
January 30, 201510 yr Author 1/28/2015 Rail projects under review in Missouri, Ohio ...Meanwhile, Ohio’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) is scheduled to vote tomorrow on a final list of major transportation construction projects throughout the state at a meeting to be held at the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) central office in Columbus. The draft list of 2015-18 projects include grade separations in Butler and Lima, an extension of CSX Transportation's line to Dayton Airport, a new rail bridge in Hamilton, and the relocation of CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway bridges in Cuyahoga. Established in 1997, the nine-member TRAC assists in developing a project selection process for ODOT's largest investments. The council also approves major projects for funding. MORE: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/c_s/news/Rail-projects-under-review-in-Missouri-Ohio--43363 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 30, 201510 yr Based on http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC%20List/DRAFT_2015-2018_MAJOR_NEW_PROGRAM_LIST_12.18.14.pdf, this is a funded project ready to go: * Extension of Grand Blvd. and the closure of Central over this railroad in Hamilton: http://goo.gl/maps/ehpDz Could be projects: * Lima grade separation (not sure where). * Relocating OH 309 at the Marion Intermodal Center: http://goo.gl/maps/y0fcG * Dayton line extension, I am assuming extend the old Delphi spur to the freight terminals on the west side? http://goo.gl/maps/sVsdK
February 6, 201510 yr Author FYI..... [Federal Register Volume 80, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2015)] [Notices] [Page 6796] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2015-02410] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. FD 35900] CCET, LLC--Lease and Operation Exemption--Rail Line of Norfolk Southern Railway Company in Clermont, Brown, and Adams Counties, Ohio CCET, LLC (CCET), a Class III carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to lease from Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) and operate a portion of NSR's CT Line, between milepost CT 32.83 and milepost CT 62.20, east of Seaman, Ohio (Line Extension). CCET and NSR entered into a lease agreement on March 14, 2014, under which CCET currently leases a 24-mile portion of the CT Line between milepost CT 9.0 at Clare, Ohio, and milepost CT 32.83, west of Williamsburg, Ohio.\1\ The parties now desire to amend the lease to include the Line Extension to the east, which would allow CCET to pursue additional commercial opportunities.\2\ NSR will retain limited overhead trackage rights over the Line Extension. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See CCET, LLC--Lease & Operation Exemption--Rail Line of Norfolk S. Ry., FD 35810 (STB served Apr. 4, 2014). \2\ On January 15, 2015, the Board allowed NSR to discontinue its freight rail service over approximately 40.7 miles of rail line, including the Line Extension, in Clermont, Brown, and Adams Counties, Ohio; the exemption should become effective on February 14, 2015. See Norfolk S. Ry.--Discontinuance of Serv. Exemption--in Clermont, Brown, & Adams Cntys., Ohio, AB 290 (Sub-No. 370X) (STB served Jan. 15, 2015). Upon reaching an agreement with CCET to lease and operate the Line Extension, however, NSR informed the Board by letter dated January 20, 2015, that it will not effectuate discontinuance over the Line Extension. See CCET Petition, Ex. D. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This transaction is related to a concurrently filed verified notice of exemption in Paul Didelius--Continuance in Control--CCET, LLC, Docket No. FD 35901, in which Paul Didelius seeks Board approval to continue in control of CCET under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2). CCET states that the lease between CCET and NSR does not contain any provision that prohibits, restricts, or would otherwise limit future interchange of traffic with any third-party carrier. CCET has certified that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in CCET's becoming a Class II or Class I rail carrier and will not exceed $5 million. CCET states that the lease and operation of the Line Extension will commence on or after February 21, 2015, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice of exemption was filed). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than February 13, 2015 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 35900, must be filed with Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on James H.M. Savage, 22 Rockingham Court, Germantown, MD 20874. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at ``www.stb.dot.gov.'' Decided: February 3, 2015. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Brendetta S. Jones, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2015-02410 Filed 2-5-15; 8:45 am] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 16, 201510 yr Author This is probably not going to help the expansion of oil train shipments, or the blocking of the Keystone XL pipeline.... Courtesy of WOWK -- a picture sent in by a viewer of the train derailment/fire in Fayette County, WV. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 201510 yr Yeah, foiled the water supplies for two towns (intakes closed), caused a house to burst into flames. It's a huge setback on the oil by train movement and a huge win for pipelines.
February 17, 201510 yr Author That and an oil train derailment in Ontario on the same day. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 201510 yr And one in Virginia not long ago. There are spills on pipelines and the occasional explosion - like the natural gas line that ruptured and scorched I-77 north of Charleston WV last year, but it's generally limited because of the geography. Pipelines don't run through communities.
February 17, 201510 yr Author Here ya go. Watch how high the fireball goes up in the sky..... http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/video-massive-train-explosion-in-west-virginia?utm_content=buffercd5f2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 201510 yr Here ya go. Watch how high the fireball goes up in the sky..... http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/video-massive-train-explosion-in-west-virginia?utm_content=buffercd5f2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer I find the thread title of "Booming growth" very ironic here...
February 17, 201510 yr Author Explosive growth? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 201510 yr Here ya go. Watch how high the fireball goes up in the sky..... http://www.newsnet5.com/news/national/video-massive-train-explosion-in-west-virginia?utm_content=buffercd5f2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Was that one of the newer, "safer" oil cars?
February 17, 201510 yr Author Was that one of the newer, "safer" oil cars? Yes, it most certainly was. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 18, 201510 yr Author I suspect the following may be related to this: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8721.msg743624.html#msg743624 Oasis' north tracks unused since 1980s. But all of a sudden, railroad company says they're going to use them? http://cin.ci/1EmdYyW "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 18, 201510 yr It wants to use the north tracks? What for? They have been abandoned for decades and need to be rebuilt. What can it possibly need it for - to make the trip to its one customer a little quicker?
February 18, 201510 yr Author Amtrak Cardinal service suspended due to oil train derailment: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2068.msg744877.html#msg744877 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 25, 201510 yr Author Spike in rail means improving economy Last updated: February 23. 2015 7:11PM - 664 Views By Megan Kennedy - [email protected] LIMA — The increase in slow-moving trains in Lima is actually a good thing regionally. Eric Davis, coordinator of strategic workforce development for the Allen Economic Development Group, said the slow-moving trains — that can conduct whether or not you’re late to work or appointments — are a sign the local economy is flourishing. Davis spoke to the Lima Rotary Club Monday during its monthly meeting Monday. Lima is considered an “interchange” town, where trains traveling east and west meet trains traveling north and south. Lima’s infrastructure can pose as an obstacle for some trains, Davis said, such as near the Husky Lima Refinery and Metcalf Street. MORE: http://limaohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=LI&date=20150223&category=news&lopenr=302239899&Ref=AR "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 25, 201510 yr Is there some way to isolate how much of the boom in that area over the last 5-10 years is due to oil transportation and how much is due to other freight? Some of the oil traffic could dry up if we get more pipelines built through the region.
February 26, 201510 yr Author The new east-west traffic through Lima and Canton is almost entirely oil shipping. Of six total daily new trains begun this winter, 4-5 are oil trains. They were diverted from the congested Chicago Line through Toledo and Cleveland. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 26, 201510 yr Author @nscorp In 2015, we plan to invest $2.4 billion into our rail system. Download our Capital Plan. http://t.co/p9avmEsqLJ http://t.co/8zX8PcsNiH "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 1, 201510 yr Author Rail line reopens Connects Cincy to Brown, Adams Last updated: April 01. 2015 12:16PM - 1398 Views By Carly Tamborski [email protected] A once-frequent railroad line heading from Cincinnati and passing through Brown County out to Adams County is officially active again. The line, now part of Cincinnati East Terminal Railway became active March 20, almost one year after service was discontinued to the area. “Norfolk Southern discontinued service April 27 of last year between Williamsburg and Seaman,” said Christopher Edwards, customer service coordinator with CCET. “They thought there wasn’t enough business and our lease was just to Williamsburg, so they didn’t feel the need to have any other business out there.” MORE: http://www.newsdemocrat.com/news/news/152557403/Rail-line-reopens "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 9, 20159 yr Author Funny how this comes right after the Keystone pipeline thingy dies. This probably isn't a good idea either if you want to keep affordable rail service to your local shippers.... Canadian Pacific Said to Explore Norfolk Southern Takeover Ed Hammond Jeffrey McCracken November 9, 2015 — 1:52 PM EST Updated on November 9, 2015 — 2:53 PM EST Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., the second-biggest railroad in Canada, is exploring a takeover of U.S. carrier Norfolk Southern Corp. in a fresh attempt to consolidate the North American industry, according to people familiar with the matter. Canadian Pacific is raising financing and has held early-stage merger talks with Norfolk Southern, which is valued at about $24 billion, said two of the people, who asked not to be identified because deliberations are private. Discussions are preliminary and talks may not progress or lead to a deal, they said. Representatives for Canadian Pacific and Norfolk declined to comment. Norfolk Southern surged as much as 14 percent, the biggest intraday gain since 2001, while Canadian Pacific increased as much as 7.5 percent in Toronto. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Railroads Index, which tracks four U.S. carriers, rose as much as 5 percent to erase an earlier drop. MORE: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-09/canadian-pacific-said-to-explore-takeover-of-norfolk-southern "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 22, 20169 yr Freight trains to stop running on SE Ohio mainline to W Virginia coal: http://www.athensnews.com/opinion/wearing_thin/i-m-going-to-miss-the-last-freight-train-through/article_b397ec5e-bf86-11e5-877c-8386da4e86bb.html The line isn't being abandoned, but it could be many years before trains use it again.
January 22, 20169 yr It will still see circus traffic, but it practically has no customers and rarely interchanged cars at Point Pleasant with the CSX/ex-B&O. It is an ex-Virginian line, and follows NS's move to make another ex-Virginian line in southern West Virginia out-of-service. Both lines saw heavy coal traffic and that market has been collapsing for two years strong.
January 22, 20169 yr Author After freight traffic growing over recent years to the point where the railroads were almost in meltdown, carload traffic has been in a steady freefall throughout in 2015, falling about 1-5% each month. Intermodal has been holding steady though. Ironically, I just a note from a freight railroad executive who said some in the industry are looking at "moving people" as a potential growth business to consider... FWIW. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 22, 20169 yr I would suspect the carload traffic decline is attributed to coal. Both CSX and NS are being impacted severely and are shedding lines at a good rate while improving others. While the NS has put a major West Virginia line OOS, another along the Big Sandy River is now part of the Heartland Corridor. In fact, a new intermodal center just opened in Prichard that will allow for seamless transport of large containers between NS and trucks (and I think water? The Big Sandy is adjacent.) NS also just closed their Pocahontas Division offices in Bluefield and I think moved those to Roanoke. The rail yard there is pretty empty most days and I'm not sure what the operations are there now. CSX also just announced in the past few days that their offices for the Huntington Division will be closing - the same town that was founded practically by the Chesapeake & Ohio (CSX's predecessor). Pretty big upsets...
January 22, 20169 yr Author Coal was a big part, but not the only part.... AAR: Energy, manufacturing weakness negatively impacted rail traffic in 2015 http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/aar-energy-manufacturing-weakness-negatively-impacted-rail-traffic-in-2015.html?channel=50 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 28, 20169 yr Author I'm worried about the NS line between Cleveland and Vermilion via Lakewood and Lorain. Traffic is down to maybe one train a day, if that, in recent weeks.... Report: NS Corp to slash up to 2,000 jobs in coming years due to disappointing operating performance https://t.co/ivzCodoAJh The company line.... NS announces further details of its strategic plan to reduce costs, drive profitability, and accelerate growth https://t.co/0uv78icchp "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 28, 20169 yr Well, I'm sure that includes the NS West Virginia Secondary, now going OOS. That's a prime pickup for Ohio Central. While NS struggles, it's not all bad news. Like CSX, NS has been focusing more on long haul routes and serving the major ports than actually going to the small towns and serving local industries. They have dropped so many short lines in the past decade that this isn't really that surprising. Good short line operators, like Ohio Central and RJ Corman, can pick up the line, bring in more customers at far better rates, and interchange them with NS or other lines.
January 28, 20169 yr Author Well, I'm sure that includes the NS West Virginia Secondary, now going OOS. That's a prime pickup for Ohio Central. It does. The WV Secondary is shutdown. No coal. No trains. While NS struggles, it's not all bad news. Like CSX, NS has been focusing more on long haul routes and serving the major ports than actually going to the small towns and serving local industries. They have dropped so many short lines in the past decade that this isn't really that surprising. Good short line operators, like Ohio Central and RJ Corman, can pick up the line, bring in more customers at far better rates, and interchange them with NS or other lines. I don't see the railroads focusing on long-haul routes as good news. Wall Street may want it but it doesn't lower costs for shippers in our cities and towns. A friend of mine who does consulting work for shortline railroads sent the following to me.... Of importance also I have picked up a rumor that NS will be working to retire as many private siding switches as possible. The goal is to drive off the single-car business so that the local freight service and supporting yards can be eliminated. As an added benefit, in the eyes of some Class One "brains," is this might push several short lines over the edge thereby eliminating more pains in the a-- (the short lines keep demanding that NS live up to its short line service agreements, etc.). We may be seeing the "End Times" here guys and gal so stay alert. Sadly most of this is preventable. Genesee & Wyoming, for example, today posted a Management Incentive Bonus (or some such device) totalling $275,000 to two top guys. That money would easily put 4 or 5 Marketing "boots on the ground" knocking on doors to get the business. You are right, though, this is easy picking time for the Bike Trails (how does the sound of the Clinchfield Trail down south grab you?). "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 29, 20169 yr I cross a spur every day on my way to work that hasn't had a train cross in about 7 years (they used to have a guy with a flag stand out there). There is one other customer on the spur, visible from the grade crossing, but on the side of the road that doesn't require crossing it. I keep thinking they're done with rail cars, then once about every 6 months I see a hopper car over there. I don't know what they do that they only get about 4 rail cars per year.
April 4, 20169 yr Author FYI...... _______ Good afternoon, ORDC is seeking a Grade Crossing Safety Intern. You can find the posting here: http://bit.ly/1TwxUcx. Applications are due on Thursday, April 14. If you know of any qualified students looking for an internship, please encourage them to apply. Sincerely, Julianne Kaercher Executive Assistant to the Director Public Information Officer Ohio Rail Development Commission 614.728.9497 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 5, 20169 yr I cross a spur every day on my way to work that hasn't had a train cross in about 7 years (they used to have a guy with a flag stand out there). There is one other customer on the spur, visible from the grade crossing, but on the side of the road that doesn't require crossing it. I keep thinking they're done with rail cars, then once about every 6 months I see a hopper car over there. I don't know what they do that they only get about 4 rail cars per year. Metal or some bulk material, most likely. They are probably smaller than they used to be and have storage space. When I was supplying the casting industry, we used to say a truckload a month was the border between small and medium, one a week the border between medium and large. Four 150,000 pound cars a year is a little more than a truckload a month.
April 27, 20169 yr I've read a few articles on the proposed CREATE rail bypass around Chicago. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? http://www.createprogram.org/ It looks like it may take awhile to get it cooking because it is so massive and goes through so many spots, but it sounds like this is sorely needed in Chicagoland and to ease congestion throughout the rest of the USA. I thought I had read somewhere once where people were looking into a possible way to ship across Lake Michigan but not certain how that would work or if it is even possible. With all that said, it also got me thinking about hump yards. I always though the Queensgate hump yard was massive to me being from Cedar Rapids, IA, where their small rail yard is just regional and is maybe 10-12 tracks wide, where Queensgate seems it is 10x as big. I was looking for a listing of the largest rail yards in the USA but I couldn't seem to find one. I know there are massive ones throughout the USA, but does anyone has a type of list, like what you could find for listing of freight movement at airports quite easily?
April 27, 20169 yr Author CREATE isn't about building a rail bypass around Chicago. it's about grade-separating multiple at-grade, rail-to-rail crossings with big bridges, underpasses, etc. While the CREATE program looked at Chicago holistically, it's happening piece by piece, project by project. So the CREATE is happening. There's just not enough funding to do everything at once. Some railroads have enhanced rail corridors south of Chicago to reroute traffic, but the amount of the rail traffic rerouted is very small. And the commuter/Amtrak passenger traffic can't be rerouted. It has to go where the people are -- and that's Chicago. Here is a CREATE project currently underway -- the massive 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project: http://www.75thcip.org/ One CREATE project that directly impact Ohio's freight and passenger trains is the $140 million Englewood Flyover completed in September 2014. This was a PR shot taken shortly before the old at-grade rail/rail crossing was removed... Metra flyover at Englewood up and over by Mark LLanuza, on Flickr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 16, 20168 yr Author At Vermilion, Norfolk Southern is building a $12.5m track connection to reroute freight trains via Lorain & Lakewood, that will ease NS & Amtrak congestion in Cleveland. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/norfolk_southern/article/Norfolk-Southern-pours-capital-sweat-equity-into-its-new-Premier-Corridor--49060 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 19, 20168 yr Author Hello Lakewood (and Cleveland's Edgewater/Cudell neighborhood, Rocky River, Bay Village, Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake and Lorain) -- Here come about 4-6 more daily freight trains, or roughly double the number of freight trains using this line each day. See the article in my prior post as to why. This is how it is happening and where the traffic is going, with progressively closer zoom-in map views. The thick black lines are Norfolk Southern-owned freight-only lines. The light-blue lines are routes having different owners used by Amtrak passenger trains. And the RED is the routing for NS freight trains after the new Vermilion track connection goes in to service in 2017. Vermilion-TOL-CLE routes1 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-VER-CLE by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion track connections-MAP by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Photos of the track connection construction coming next..... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 19, 20168 yr Author Continued from above..... These photos are all looking west along the former Nickel Plate RR from 1,000 feet west of Coen Road. This train is coming from Bellevue and heading to Cleveland via Lorain and Lakewood.... Vermilion-20160916_134644 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Signal and control box were installed but not yet wired. The #20 turnout is waiting to be installed... Vermilion-20160916_134133 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-20160916_133939 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-20160916_152257 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Looking east on the NKP, with Bellevue behind and Cleveland ahead. New track connection at left.... Vermilion-20160916_152359 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Looking north from Norfolk Southern's ex-NKP line, toward NS's Chicago Line (there's a train visible on it). The new track track connection (its right of way visible just beyond the NKP track) which is what will link the ex-NKP and Chicago lines... Vermilion-20160916_152319 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr NS's Chicago Line, one of the busiest freight railroads in the Midwest/Northeast. There are also four nightly Amtrak trains that zip through here at 79 mph, but a new signal system being installed and the track conditions allow 90 mph speeds. Grade crossing circuit timings would need to be adjusted, however. Looking west from Risden Road, the new track connection will switch onto the Chicago Line here.... Vermilion-20160916_135716 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-20160916_135507 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Looking east from Risden Road at the new track connection right of way veering off to the right (southeast) toward the NKP line.... Vermilion-20160916_135555 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-20160916_135647 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Vermilion-20160916_135434 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr Lots of signal work left to do, including the installing of conduits, wiring, circuits, testing, etc. The track installation will actually be relatively quick once the right of way settles. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 19, 20168 yr KJP[/member] - Do you know if Lakewood is still looking to upgrade the railroad crossing gates so that the trains don't have to blow there horn at each crossing?
September 19, 20168 yr Author KJP[/member] - Do you know if Lakewood is still looking to upgrade the railroad crossing gates so that the trains don't have to blow there horn at each crossing? Sadly, there is no plan. Some Lakewood officials believe the city has too many crossings to create a Quiet Zone. Yet Springfield, OH showed us that isn't true. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 29, 20168 yr Author While Amtrak ridership and financial performance is at a five-decade high.... Freight rail traffic is collapsing Wolf Richter, Wolf Street Oct. 16, 2016, 5:00 PM 6,641 Year-to-date, US railroads reported a total volume decline of 6.9% from the same period last year, with car loads down 10.4% and intermodal units down 3.3%. Coal shipments, by far the largest category, accounting for about 30% of total carloads, plunged 25%. Petroleum and petroleum products shipments fell 22%, forest products 7.8%…. The only bright spots in terms of carloads, year-to-date: grains (+5.6%), motor vehicles (+2.7%), chemicals (+1.7%), and “other,” the smallest category (+16.7%). But one of these bright spots, motor vehicles, which accounts for over 7% of total carloads, is turning into the next brake shoe to drop. MORE: http://www.businessinsider.com/us-freight-rail-traffic-is-collapsing-2016-10 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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