Where are all the trains?

[al-in-chgo]

CShaveRR

Pretty much all of the westbound stuff from Proviso or points east would go through Rochelle (the West Chicago local is the notable exception). Additionally, the line through Rochelle would see some Com Ed coal trains that go only as far east as West Chicago.

 

Thanks!  -- al

 

[CShaveRR]

Pretty much all of the westbound stuff from Proviso or points east would go through Rochelle (the West Chicago local is the notable exception). Additionally, the line through Rochelle would see some Com Ed coal trains that go only as far east as West Chicago.

[al-in-chgo]

CShaveRR

No, Al, home territory is definitely not BNSF for me. As I mentioned, I don't think UP could keep up that pace for more than the 45 minutes or so we were there, and when we were out again later in the afternoon it was pouring pretty good.

 

Sorry, Carl, I should have known that where you live is in UP territory.  Since Rochelle is on the old Overland Route, do you think most of the freight coming out of Proviso will go thru Rochelle?  Just curious.

Take care,

al

 

[CShaveRR]

No, Al, home territory is definitely not BNSF for me. As I mentioned, I don't think UP could keep up that pace for more than the 45 minutes or so we were there, and when we were out again later in the afternoon it was pouring pretty good.

[al-in-chgo]

CShaveRR

Things are moving after yesterday's manifest shutdown. We had about 45 minutes' worth of lunchtime today, where the tracks were in full sight. In that time were the requisite two scoots (close to on time) and four freights--eastbound auto racks (fast!), westbound manifest (very long!), and a stack train in each direction. I kind of doubt that it would keep that pace up all day, but I'm glad I was there for that one--particularly since my grandkids were, too. The two-year-old said something like "Trains--my favorite!" I think that this might have been the first time they were with me on "home turf", so to speak, and Emily's favorite color is yellow--so Grandpa and Grandma were both happy to point out the UP power to her.

 

Were you at the BNSF yard?  If you care to do so, could you estimate how much WB post-holiday traffic will the Transcon get, and also the line that goes thru Rochelle?  You can estimate percentages or numbers and I promise I won't crucify you for it. 

[CShaveRR]

Things are moving after yesterday's manifest shutdown. We had about 45 minutes' worth of lunchtime today, where the tracks were in full sight. In that time were the requisite two scoots (close to on time) and four freights--eastbound auto racks (fast!), westbound manifest (very long!), and a stack train in each direction. I kind of doubt that it would keep that pace up all day, but I'm glad I was there for that one--particularly since my grandkids were, too. The two-year-old said something like "Trains--my favorite!" I think that this might have been the first time they were with me on "home turf", so to speak, and Emily's favorite color is yellow--so Grandpa and Grandma were both happy to point out the UP power to her.

[dehusman]

As long as the economy is the way it is you can figure that most of the major railroads will have hugely reduced traffic levels over the holiday period, which may be 24-72 hours long.  On the Memorial Day holiday weekend some railroads bottomed out with less than two dozen general merchandise trains operating on the entire system.  July 4th will fall on a Saturday.  Don't be suprised if rail traffic on major freight lines starts to dwindle Friday afternoon or evening and not pick up again until sometime Monday morning.

[CShaveRR]

79 mph? That must be a different New River Gorge than I'm familiar with! Nonetheless, that used to be a great stretch of railroad, made more spectacular by the scenery. Used to be built a lot more like a conveyor belt for coal than it is now.

[CSXDixieLine]

Update...Monday I railfanned Charleston, WV to Pittsburgh, PA including the CSX (former C&O) through the New River Gorge. Wow! Trains or not, what an impressive stretch of railroad. I have been dumbed down by urban sprawl because I was amazed at how close in everything is in the mountains there--towns, shopping, railroads, all crammed into whatever semi-flat land is available. 79mph mainlline tracks going through driveways of homes--I need to move! BTW still no trains (and I have all the photos of the red signals to prove it ) but I did scout out some excellent spots to visit on the return trip. I was planning on going back through OH-KY-TN but I think I will just retrace my steps and try to catch some trains in the good locations I now know of. Jamie

[al-in-chgo]

overall

I was at Irondale Alabama on Saturday. There was a lot of activity including this;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3557107109_473da024e6_o.jpg

Irondale has not one, not two, but three, count'em three railfan platforms.

George 

Tell us more!  - a.s.

[al-in-chgo]

Three-day weekends have been disappointing for me, too, even at recognized "hot spots."  As for CSX, this time last year I was in Fostoria, OH, exactly a year ago; the exx-B&O main line was way down and the exx-C&O Ohio line was down somewhat, according to what local fans told me.  It sure got desolate at times! 

I agree that the traffic is limited so as many people as possible can have the day off.  The fact that we're in a gruesome recession certainly hasn't helped even the routine volume of traffic.

If possible, I'd recommend that you try to fan a new town before Thursday or Friday preceding a three-day weekend, or starting about Wednesday the week following.   The traffic should be running at (recession) normal normal levels, and who knows?  There might even be some catching up for the trains to do. 

  

[killer dragonoz]

I'm in NC near  NS Linwood yard I was down at my local spot sat when any crew came from Atlanta GA they would send them back on the next train going south, You would hear the same crew calling the signals back to the south.

[oskar]

CSX is almost completely shut down with the exception of Chicago-Jacksonville intermodal, Q121. I think CSX will start back up at 7 tomorrow morning and NS will start back up at midnight.

A friend told me CSX has Q740-23 tied down in Rocky Mount, NC.

 

Kevin

[MP173]

And what did you catch?

ed

[SFbrkmn]

They are taking the holiday off. Other than mainline through jobs, thats it. On the KS Division, BNSF has annuled a total of 121 yd jobs, rd swtchrs & locals for Monday. As far as I'm concerned, it should be that way for every holiday. Kan City has only a sliver at work while Topeka, Newton, North Wichita, Hutchinson, Dodge City &  Garden City are all off today. Emporia & Wellington are just down for 1st shift only. Most likely July 4th will be close to the same. Spent yesterday at the ole fishing hole at Fall River and enjoyed every moment of it.

[BaltACD]

With the reduced traffic levels and reduced customer commitments CSX has endeavored to shut down the system from 7 AM on the 24th to 7 AM on the 26th.  Amtrak will run their own Holiday Plan.  The BLE/UTU holiday plans may co-opt the Carrier plans even further.

[jbinkley60]

CSXDixieLine

I did some railfanning today in GA, SC, NC, VA and WV. All I managed to see all day were red signals. Even the massive NS yard in Bluefield was a ghost town. Is this because of the Memorial Day weekend? Economy? Both? Tomorrow I was planning to hit CSX in the New River Gorge, but due to weather I am heading out early and going to Altoona, PA in the morning and will spend the day working my way towards Pittsburgh. I hope no trains means some railroad employees are also getting to enjoy a long Memorail Day weekend. Jamie

I am making the trek to Altoona in mid-June 14-16 .  I am looking for some suggestions for local attractions, including best options for seeing anything at Juniata.  Also, is there a place where I can find a schedule for trains passing through Horseshoe Curve ?  Sorry for all of the questions.  This is a birthday present for me and a 6 hour drive, so I am hoping to make the most of it.,

 

[overall]

I was at Irondale Alabama on Saturday. There was a lot of activity including this;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3557107109_473da024e6_o.jpg

Irondale has not one, not two, but three, count'em three railfan platforms.

George 

 

[eolafan]

I spent a couple hours yesterday at Eola yard in Aurora, IL and saw a few of the usual afternoon Amtrak trains (3-4-5 and 6) as well as a few Metra outbounds and ONE BNSF intermodal and the daily BRCGAL (which surprisingly did not have to stop at Eola yard for any switching work!).  The overall traffic levels on the BNSF "racetrack" have definitely been down due to the economy BUT yesterday was especially slow...likely due to the weekend/holiday period...so much so that I actually found myself dozing off a few times in the warm confines of my auto...relaxation.

[henry6]

Check your favorite road's web page for holiday operations.  NS for instance closed yards Sat, road operations Sun. and will resume all Tues. morn.

[wabash1]

I took a couple days off ill be back behind the throttle tomorrow

[blue streak 1]

Trains down very much this sunday. Saturday  at 1130 on CSX's  A&WP subdivision in the distance a conrail unit and CSX unit pulling a 200+ train of brand new empty aluminum hopper cars almost in numerical order southbound. Reporting marks don't remember but front of car had a green diamond on the upper left had side. Since southbound suspect they were going somewhere for storage. It was amazing how quiet and  with no wheel flange noise on the train.

[CSXDixieLine]

I did some railfanning today in GA, SC, NC, VA and WV. All I managed to see all day were red signals. Even the massive NS yard in Bluefield was a ghost town. Is this because of the Memorial Day weekend? Economy? Both? Tomorrow I was planning to hit CSX in the New River Gorge, but due to weather I am heading out early and going to Altoona, PA in the morning and will spend the day working my way towards Pittsburgh. I hope no trains means some railroad employees are also getting to enjoy a long Memorail Day weekend. Jamie