Does anyone have a good idea of the traffic on the north-south CSX line that runs between Toledo and Lima, Ohio? It runs through Deshler, Liepsic and Ottawa along the way. When I go to Deshler (a pretty good train watching spot), I see maybe 1 - 2 trains on the line but I've been told that there's a train through Columbus Grove "...every fifteen minutes or so."
The only way I can see this happening is if trains come north out of Lima to switch the steel rolling mill at Liepsic then head back south into town. Otherwise, I just don't see that kind of traffic density.
Anyone in the immediate area who can tell me what kind of traffic there REALLY is on that stretch of track?
Thanks!
dlm
I watch the Deshler rail cams on a regular basis, in addition to my annual visits there.
A train every 15 minutes is a bit of an exaggeration (unless it seems like you get caught at a crossing every time...)
Deshler sees 50-60 trains (on average) every day. That includes all trains, the bulk of which are straight through headed east or west.
A significant number of trains "turn the corner" at Deshler. In fact, that's probably the bulk of the traffic south of Deshler. Many are intermodals, virtually all of which stop at NWO (North Baltimore) IM yard.
My overview database of trains at Deshler is a bit out of date, but if memory serves, there are 3-6 through trains (crossing the diamond, not turning) each way each day. Those are usually headed to/from Toledo, or the Detroit area.
The only local that touches Deshler is D743, out of Lima, which often turns back south, running around its train on a siding at South Deshler. It may go as far north as Tontogany, but I think the furthest is usually Weston.
You can watch the cams on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5eIj7-j0is.
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...
I stopped by Deshler about ten days ago after a bleak day in Indiana and noticed that CSX was running northbound from Lima toward Toledo as frequently as they could. In mid-afternoon, one NB was followed so closely by another that the second had to hold, once clear of the B & O line. A third was awaiting a clear just south of the B & O. Didn't get train numbers, but likely the first was headed for Canada, the second for Detroit; no guess about the third.
So the traffic that afternoon was dense indeed. And the color-position signals are still in place.
Meantime traffic on the east-west line was sparse - a couple of intermodals and a coal train.
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