Anyone know destination for NS train 054? I believe it originated at Burns Harbor, In. today. Passed the Chesterton webcam at 213pm with 1 motor and 35 flats with wide steel plates.
I have seen this movement 3x the last 6 weeks. It is a hi wide as when it meets another train one must come to a stop.
Seems like a regular movement of large plate steel. Any info would be appreciated.
Ed
No idea of the destination. Suspect with that much steel sheet, it may be going to a shipbuilding location - if we still have any left in the USA.
When I was working on CSX there were a variety of restrictions on Clearance Implacated shipments - some had to be routed around specific stationary locations or objects and be prevented from operating on specific tracks. Others would restrict the trains carrying the shipments to observe speed restrictions in specific locations. Other restrictions would require when meeting or overtaking trains at specific locations for one train to be stopped and the other to move at no more than 10 MPH. The most restrictive would state that trains could not meet or pass trains at specific locations.
Back around 2010 or 2012, Marketing secured a shipment of wind generator parts - blades and generators from the Port of Baltimore to Chicago and beyond. The only locations that the clearance wires for this movement didn't have meet/pass restrictions were on the single track segements between passing sidings. With all the restrictions it took about two weeks to move the train from the Port of Baltimore to New Castle, PA, where it left my area of responsibiliy. How much longer it took to get to Chicago and then on to its final destination - I don't know.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
These dimensional trains are quite interesting.
Didnt think of shipbuilding, but that would make sense. Curious if it wouldnt be General Dynamics in Bath, Maine. Or a location in Virginia.
NS several years ago would have dimensional trains with John Deere combines. I heard these were going to the Port of Baltimore for export, but do not recall where that was heard nor the validity of the rumor.
ed
MP173These dimensional trains are quite interesting. Didnt think of shipbuilding, but that would make sense. Curious if it wouldnt be General Dynamics in Bath, Maine. Or a location in Virginia. NS several years ago would have dimensional trains with John Deere combines. I heard these were going to the Port of Baltimore for export, but do not recall where that was heard nor the validity of the rumor. ed
Port of Baltimore has been used by Deere in the past. CSX even got some shipments 'once upon a time'. Also remember some trainloads of Case equipment for export.
Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock has been building the US aircraft carriers for decades. Forget which one was under construction my first trip there in the early 1980's - but the command island just TOWERED over the coastal plains where Newport News exists.
There is also active shipbuilding on the Gulf Coast at Mobile. Recall numerous wide shipments of steel plate going there on all the territories of CSX that I worked, including when the NO&M Subdivision was part of my territory.
BaltACDit may be going to a shipbuilding location - if we still have any left in the USA.
Not sure if it is made of steel or not but the U.S. Navy just launched the LCS USS Cleveland last Monday from Marinette, WI.
CMStPnP BaltACD it may be going to a shipbuilding location - if we still have any left in the USA. Not sure if it is made of steel or not but the U.S. Navy just launched the LCS USS Cleveland last Monday from Marinette, WI.
BaltACD it may be going to a shipbuilding location - if we still have any left in the USA.
And damaged it in the process I understand.
BaltACDAnd damaged it in the process I understand.
Almost took out a tug...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
It's the same Navy that backed a ship into the USS Arizona Memorial and damaged it. How you can do that against a ship that has not moved since it sunk in WWII is beyond my comprehension but I digress....
The Case equipment for export came out of Grand Island NE. I seem to recall some John Deere tractors out of Waterloo IA going east for export.
Jeff
Do not forget the Electric Boat plant in Groton, Connetcut where they build all three types of submarines. They need steel plate for those boats.
Thanks for replies and discussion.
These 054 dimension trains seem to be running about every 2-3 weeks.
Now, that would be an interesting topic for a Trains Magazine article...how these hi-wides are moved, particularly on heavy traffic mains.
Always love to see those big depressed center flat cars movements also.
Actually, in today's railroad environment, I enjoy noticing the cars more than the locomotives, particularly today's general freight trains (boxcar trains).
All I can say is that I'm so thankful they didn't put this stuff on the highways ~ !
2 views many years ago so please excuse if memories are faulty.
1. 4 cars with 2 having switch track panels at 60 degree slant and other 2 cars with apparently connecting tracks for some double track layout?
2. Maybe years later 3 heavy duty Trailer train flats ( 8 axel ? ) with steel plates starting almost at rail height installed at some angle then almost as high as a double stack. Had idler cars between each car and on ends as well. Length of plate ???
Today (May 9), NS ran another 054 out of Burns Harbor, departing at 635am.
One motor NS 4431 and a buffer car - NS orange hopper car with ballast then 45 bulkhead or flat cars. Each car had 3 big steel sheets, estimated 2" - 3" thick and about 40 ft long...all appeared to be uniform in size. These trains appear to be running about every 18 days, or at least what I am observing.
Earlier comment about ship building seems to make sense with the thick sheets. Anyone know how thick steel sheets are on large boats?Ed
caldreamer Do not forget the Electric Boat plant in Groton, Connetcut where they build all three types of submarines. They need steel plate for those boats.
The third type are the SSGN cruise missile submarines. They use the Ohio class SSBN bodies, but are designed to launch cruise missles. They carry 154 tomahawk cruise missiles. If the missiles are nuclear armed, each has a 100 kiloton warhead, Conventional warheads of various types and yields can be used as well.
caldreamer The third type are the SSGN cruise missile submarines. They use the Ohio class SSBN bodies, but are designed to launch cruise missles. They carry 154 tomahawk cruise missiles. If the missiles are nuclear armed, each has a 100 kiloton warhead, Conventional warheads of various types and yields can be used as well.
True, but due the extensive rebuild process, new steel would be needed due the different configuration of the sub.
I was watching a 'Modern Marvels' show on the Ruku Channel from approximately 2005. The episode I was watching stated that there were SIX shipbuilding outfits in the US, down from 22 that existed in the 1980's.
I am not in a position to confirm or deny any of those numbers.
These dimensional trains are very interesting...big steel which seem to be running regularly.
Thanks for replies.
BaltACD I was watching a 'Modern Marvels' show on the Ruku Channel from approximately 2005. The episode I was watching stated that there were SIX shipbuilding outfits in the US, down from 22 that existed in the 1980's. I am not in a position to confirm or deny any of those numbers.
I would think that much of the decrease might be from the closure of inland shipyards on the Great Lakes and the river system.
CSSHEGEWISCHI would think that much of the decrease might be from the closure of inland shipyards on the Great Lakes and the river system.
They aren't building many lakers these days. It was quite the event when one was launched last year.
It's been said that there won't be any more "footers" built. There are, IIRC, 13 on the lakes now (that's ships 1000' or longer).
tree68 CSSHEGEWISCH I would think that much of the decrease might be from the closure of inland shipyards on the Great Lakes and the river system. They aren't building many lakers these days. It was quite the event when one was launched last year. It's been said that there won't be any more "footers" built. There are, IIRC, 13 on the lakes now (that's ships 1000' or longer).
CSSHEGEWISCH I would think that much of the decrease might be from the closure of inland shipyards on the Great Lakes and the river system.
Backshop Freshwater ships last longer, but not forever.
Freshwater ships last longer, but not forever.
They're not ships, they're boats.
CSSHEGEWISCH Backshop Freshwater ships last longer, but not forever. They're not ships, they're boats.
Those aren't 3 thick slabs. I got a close look as the train was in Binghamton. They're 3 sets of 5 one-inch plates. Word from a freind's son at NS says they go to the Norfolk area for the shipbuilding industry.
Train 054 shifted from the Pennsy route to the Southern Tier east of Cleveland following the East Palestine derailment and it apoears a temporary reroute may now be permanant.
Vern:Thanks for info. BTW, when did it pass thru Binghamton? Just curious of the elapsed time to travel from Burns Harbor to Binghamton.
Also, what would the routing from Binghamton to Norfolk be? Looking at NS map, they appear to have trackage/haulage rights down to Wilkes Barre and on to Harrisburg. MyNS map is several years old and shows that as CP.
Just thought I heard on scanner another 054 doubling in the Burns Harbor yard. Might have been a similar symbol. time will tell.
There was in fact a 054 last night. I heard scanner chatter but it had not left Burns Harbor by the time I shut down. It was ready to go at 700pm but a parade of Amtrak and hot van trains held it, then a van train hit a vehicle which shut everything down.
Speaking of Great Lakes boats...the Mark W. Barker, just launched last year and the only new US boat in the last 40 years, ran hard aground in the Detroit River last night. I heard it had a steering gear malfunction. The bow was only 30ft offshore right by the parking lot of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle. They freed it while I was down there. The first ship that passed her was the Alpena, the oldest boat on the Lakes that is self propelled IIRC.
Backshop CSSHEGEWISCH Backshop Freshwater ships last longer, but not forever. They're not ships, they're boats. Yeah, I know. I saw four boats yesterday in Lake Erie while I was attempting (unsuccessfully), to coax some walleyes to bite. The Ashtabula/Defiance, Algoma Innovator, Thunder Bay and Capt Henry Jackman.
Yeah, I know. I saw four boats yesterday in Lake Erie while I was attempting (unsuccessfully), to coax some walleyes to bite. The Ashtabula/Defiance, Algoma Innovator, Thunder Bay and Capt Henry Jackman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zexl-xvE0Sc
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