CSX Michigan

[wilmette2210]

Hi, I would like like to know just how many trains run on the CSX tracks in Okemos, Michigan?  My grand parents live in Okemos and whenever my family drives out to see them we cross the CSX tracks at Vanata road and I have yet to see a train on that line.   Are these the same track that service the coal power plant on the Michigan State Campus?  I would also like to know just how many CSX trains run on the tracks through New Bufflo?  We rented a summer house in Lakeside afew years ago and I know that Amtrak uses this route from Chicago to Grand Rapids, how ever I did see acouple of freight trains on these tracks.  But it seems that the line is ver infrequently used.  Please let me know, thank you. 

[CShaveRR]

I'm not sure which track has the MSU power plant. CN delivers the coal trains for the larger plant in the Lansing area (I forget the company name). CSX is a sad little railroad in both locations these days--little, if any, of the CP run-through traffic remains over these lines, and I don't think there are more than a couple of manifests in either direction any more. You may see a few unit grain trains through Okemos, and coal trains through Lakeside. I hope someone more familiar with recent Michigan activity will update this for you.

[tregurtha]

There is also a CSX line that runs through Plymouth, Michigan, north through Birch Run and on up to the Bay City area. Don't think this is the same line that runs through Lansing. The traffic on the line through Plymouth seems very light these days. There's a unit coal train once in a while that I think runs up to a power plant in Bay City. But traffic is very light...

Ross

[MP173]

The CSX line branches off of the NS at Porter, In.  The line, as Carl stated, lost the CP traffic a few years ago.  Currently there are a couple of manifests (one each way) plus coal trains.  Not much traffic anymore.  Plus the Amtrakers.

However, the CSX did install new signals at Chesterton/Porter so something must be up.

ed

[bubbajustin]

1. Did you ever eat at  Readamacks in new buffalow? Anyway we go up there to the dunes and we never see any traffic either.

[MP173]

Never at at Redamacks (sp) but try to eat at Casey's in downtown NB every summer.  Nothing better than sitting outside at the bar drinking a cold beer and eating a burger and watching the people. Not many trains tho.

ed

[CShaveRR]

Redamak's--"Bite into a Legend!". Tried it once; Pat didn't like it (she doesn't like places that have years' accumulation of "atmosphere" in them). The line out back is Amtrak's (nee-Michigan Central). If we eat anywhere in that area, we usually shoot for St. Joe--and, if we're lucky, at the restaurant in the former PM station, also used by Amtrak.

Ed, I'm not familiar with Casey's--is it on either 12 or 239, or is it closer to the lake? I should poke around there and see where they eventually expect to make the Amtrak stop.

[bubbajustin]

Redanacks aside,  Did you guy's know that Amtrak is going to re-locate their station stop to the Four Winds Casino? Amtrak won't stop their though unless the conductor is notafied prior to arrival.

[CShaveRR]

I've never been to the casino, but isn't it south of I-94 on M-239? If so, there's no track close to it. New Buffalo is supposed to get a station on the old MC line, after which the one on CSX will be closed. Gee, maybe they could get a stimulus to build a connection from CSX to Amtrak there, so everything could stop.

[bubbajustin]

Yes that's where the casino is, and it is a behemoth of a place too! According to a magazine artical my grandmother read, Amtrak is supposed to build a spurr out there to the Casino it didn't specafy if it was going to connect to the CSX or old MC line. I bet I know! The stop at the casino will probably be for passengers only wanting to get on or off at the casino. The other new station will be for passengers wanting to get or off off at New Buffalo. Perhaps to "Bite Into A Legend" At Readamacks!?

[wilmette2210]

My family once rented a summer home in Lakeside and we wnt to Ladukes ice cream.  And we also went to that fruit stand in downtown New Bufflo.  Is the New Bufflo fruit stand still around? Because that last time my family went through New Bufflo it was gone.  I knoiw the CSX tracks that go through New Bufflo is the CSX Grand Rapids Sub. What is the name of the CSX line that gose through Lansing and Okemos?  Please let me know thank you. 

[bubbajustin]

Yes thay are still around, but it moved outside of town, it's, when you are driving to thhe dunes from New Buffalow, on the left hand side about 2-3 miles I belive before you get to the dunes.  It's called Joe's something I can't remember. Not that this is related to youre other question but, What town has the public display of that Pere Marquette Berkshier? Is it Lansing?

[CShaveRR]

The on-display Berkshire, PM 1223, is in Grand Haven, my home town. The active Berkshire, PM 1225, is based out of Owosso. The 1225 was at one time displayed in Lansing; it was a group of college students who came up with the idea of restoring it.

[bubbajustin]

I belive that PM 1223 is the Berkshier that the Polar Express is modeled after. I went up to Grand Haven last year with my family, after eating at Redamacks a few hours ago, and we went up to where thay have the firework's display. It was daytime and we went to see the 1223 on it's display track. I especially liked the GTW wooden caboose! Very nicely painted.

[CShaveRR]

Actually the Polar Express people used the live one, 1225, as their model--that's how they got so much of the valve action correct. And what road number could be more appropriate than 1225 for a Christmas engine?

[bubbajustin]

 I didn't know that that. But I guess that the valve gear would be more sensable to model after. But I agree 1225 is a more appropriate # than 1223. Stll though I am glad that those collage student's decided to restore her. Very pretty engine!

[FranklinC55]

 Yeah, I have a place in Union Pier. I see lots of BNSF power on the CSX line wonder why. When I was there in December to put my boat up for the year, I saw no sign of them building a station on WHittaker. I'll be up there on Spring Break, I'll see if I see anything. But can you spell street running in Michigan City

 

[CShaveRR]

You see the BNSF power on the coal trains for Consumers Energy in Port Sheldon (West Olive), north of Holland.

[Andrew Falconer]

1984 Chessie System took over the Port Huron & Detroit. Apparently the PH&D did not actually reach Detroit like the GTW. CSX took over Chessie in 1987. A few years later when CSX was trimming away the old Chessie lines in Michigan, part of the very short PH&D was abandoned.

 

[CShaveRR]

FranklinC55

 Yeah, I have a place in Union Pier. I see lots of BNSF power on the CSX line wonder why. When I was there in December to put my boat up for the year, I saw no sign of them building a station on WHittaker. I'll be up there on Spring Break, I'll see if I see anything. But can you spell street running in Michigan City

 

We made a stop in New Buffalo yesterday, and there were forms and rebars laid for a station platform along Amtrak's track: south side of Whittaker, lake side of the tracks. Parking looks like it will be available, but it's designated for something else right now (looks like more than enough for the nearby condos).