Model Railroading > The late Dean Freytag's "Cardinal System"

Are there any modelers out there who still operate or "interchange" with the late Dean Freytag's CARDINAL SYSTEM?  I model a collection of 3 related, freelance rail lines (1 regional and its 2 shortline subsidiaries) which TO THIS DAY still regularly receive grain trains from the Cardinal System for eastern seaboard EXPORT.  How many modelers continue the traditions of such roads as Cardinal System, Virginian & Ohio, and others -- even if they're not current operating freelance model RR lines?  I for one believe RRs such as those are worth preserving (note the many freelance road names in the photo....).  I rcently came across a "South Ridge Lines" green geep for sale, along with several DAVIES STEEL coil cars and gondolas, as well as a high-side gondola for scrap iron with a Cardinal System logo on it.  They're now part of the freelance interchange pool I run, along with a host of other freelance RRs such as Utah Belt, Virginia & Atlantic, Virginian & Ohio, Allegheny Midland, Central Indiana & Ohio, Chesapeake Bay & Western, Ohio Southern, Georgia Road, New Virginia Central, and others.

BOTH IMAGES were taken on the Chesapeake Bay & Western model RR club layout in Grafton, Va.

To preserve the Cardinal System's memory (found in multiple issues of Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine), I created an elaborate export grain train schedule from Dean's CARDINAL SYSTEM map (in one of those mag. issues) and found real-life grain elevators along his freelance route -- and set up what I hope is a realistic schedule for 2 or 3 daily eastbound grain trains to export in eastern Virginia on both the Virginia & Atlantic Railway and the New Virginia Central RR.  What other similar such efforts have other modelers undertaken with their favorite freelance connections?



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 08:36 by rbx551985.

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Here's the base grain train schedule we set up (the Cardinal System map is from an issue of RMC Magazine):

CARDINAL SYSTEM RAILROAD - VIRGINIA & ATLANTIC RAILWAY
 
EXPORT GRAIN SHIPMENTS VIA RAIL FROM TOLEDO, OHIO TO TIDERWATER, VIRGINIA:

(1)  AGRA LAND, INC.
TOLEDO, OH
Storage (bu): 6,000,000
Track space: 117 cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: RAIL (117 car/day)
SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (117 cars) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(2) THE ANDERSONS
TOLEDO, OH
Storage (bu): 7,000,000
Track space: 70 cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: RAIL (70 car/day)
SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (70 cars) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS.  Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(3) ANDERSON MARINE RIVER ELEVATOR
The Andersons, Maumee Grain Division
481 Kuhlman Drive
TOLEDO, OH 43609
Robert Heilman, Elevator Manager
Storage (bu): 7,000,000
Track space: 65 cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: RAIL (50,000 bu/hr); truck; ship (7 spout)SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (130 CARS, or TWO COMBINED SETS OF 65-CARS EACH) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

 (4) CARGILL, INC.
125 Edwin Drive
TOLEDO, OH 43609
Bruce Weinard, Local Manger
Storage (bu): upright 1,000,000; Flat 5,200,000
Track Space: 108 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: rail (108 Cars/day)SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (108 cars) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(5) WEST SIDE ELEVATOR / CARGILL, INC.
TOLEDO, OH
Storage (bu): upright 4,000,000
Track Space: 140 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: rail (140 Cars/day)SHIPS TWO WEEKLY TRAINS (70 CARS EACH) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(6) MICHIGAN ELEVATOR EXCHANGE
TOLEDO, OH
Storage (bu): upright 6,000,000
Track Space: 50 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: rail (50 Cars/day)SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (100 CARS; 2 sets of 50 CARS) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS.  Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(7) PILLSBURY COMPANY
TOLEDO, OH
Mike Burget
Storage (bu): 1,400,000
Track Space: 70 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: rail (70 Cars/day)SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (of 70 CARS) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(8) RICE GRAIN
633 North Reynolds
TOLEDO, OH
Brian Smith
Storage (bu): upright 1,100,000
Track Space: 70 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CSXT, CN (GTW),
and CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: rail (100 Cars/hr)SHIPS ONE DAILY TRAIN (100 CARS EACH) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.

(9) RICE GRAIN COMPANY
TOLEDO, OH
Storage (bu): 1,100,000
Track Space: 55 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, CARDINAL SYSTEM
Loading Capacity: Rail (55 Cars/day)SHIPS ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (of 55 CARS) from Toledo, Ohio to West Norfolk, Virginia.  Origin carrier:  CS. Interchanges: NS at Steubenville, OH.; V&A at Hagerstown, MD.


V&A GRAIN TRAIN FREQUENCY  AND CAR-NUMBER TOTALS:
 
(1) AGRA LAND, INC.
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (117 cars)
Dp. Sunday (1)

(2) THE ANDERSONS
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (70 cars)
Dp. Monday (1)

(3) ANDERSON MARINE RIVER ELEVATOR
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (130 CARS, or TWO SETS OF 65-CARS EACH)
Dp. Tuesday (1)

(4) CARGILL, INC.
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (108 cars)
Dp. Wednesday (1)

(5) WEST SIDE ELEVATOR / CARGILL, INC.
TWO WEEKLY TRAINS (70 CARS EACH)
Dp. Monday (1)
Dp. Thursday (1)

(6) MICHIGAN ELEVATOR EXCHANGE
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (100 CARS; 2 sets of 50 CARS)
Dp. Friday (1)

(7) PILLSBURY COMPANY
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (of 70 CARS)
Dp. Saturday (1)

(8) RICE GRAIN
ONE DAILY TRAIN (100 CARS EACH DAY)
Dp. Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat (DAILY)

(9) RICE GRAIN COMPANY
ONE WEEKLY TRAIN (of 55 CARS)
Dp. Wednesday (1)
 
LOADED GRAIN TRAINS noted above utilize 4750cf covered hopper cars from both CARDINAL SYSTEM and VIRGINIA & ATLANTIC (V&A) Railway, and terminate at the V&A Export Grain docks on Craney Island at West Norfolk, Virginia.  EASTBOUND LOADED ROUTE: CARDINAL SYSTEM (CS) RAILROAD to Steubenville OH. NORFOLK SOUTHERN (NS) trackage rights to Hagerstown, MD.  Then southeast (with V&A crews), to Marshall, Va., where east-bounds access the V&A Warrenton Subdivision to Dahlgren Cutoff, Va. (via Fredericksburg); access NEW VIRGINIA CENTRAL RAILWAY (NVCR) trackage rights to Tappahannock, Va.; V&A south to Richmond, Va.; V&A southeast to Driver, Virginia; east to V&A Craney Island Export docks.   EMPTY SETS RETURN TO TOLDEO on a reverse-routing of the east-bound loads.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 09:01 by rbx551985.

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And the final set of CARDINAL SYSTEM grain trains moving east for export goes to both the V&A as well as its subsidiary, the New Virginia Central Railway (SEE LOGO image):

CARDINAL SYSTEM RAILROAD - VIRGINIA & ATLANTIC RAILWAY - NEW VIRGINIA CENTRAL RAILWAY
 
EXPORT GRAIN SHIPMENTS VIA RAIL FROM MIDWESTERN POINTS  TO TIDERWATER, VIRGINIA (Service as of July/August 1986)
FLEETS USED: 4750cf Covered Hoppers for GRAIN

(1) This grain train gathers smaller sets of grain loads from several smaller elevators as it moves east (NOTE:  "SRL" refers to Dean Freytag's "South Ridge Lines"):ADM/GROWMARK, INC.
P.O. Box 309
BURLINGTON, IA 52601
Storage (bu): 1,319,000
Rail Carriers: BNSF, SRL   (South Ridge Lines/CS)
GRAIN TRAIN:  17 CARS; Dp. Sunday
 
TABOR-ADM ELEVATOR
Tabor Grain Company – ADM
ADM Illinois waterway 162 MLW: 12 ft.
Foot of Edmund Street
PEORIA, IL 61602
Ron Burlingame, Elevator Manager
Storage (bu): 1,400,000
Track Space: 100 Cars
Rail Carriers: BNSF, UP, CIM, NS, CSXT,
CN (IC), PPU, SRL   (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 100 Cars/day
Route East: SRL to IRON CITY (Shelby), OH; CS to V&A
GRAIN TRAIN:  100 CARS (add to Sun. Burlington train)

WATSEKA FARMERS GRAIN
WATSEKA, IL
Storage (bu): 1,000,000
Track Space: 13 Cars
Rail Carriers: UP, CSXT, SRL (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 13/day
Route East: SRL to IRON CITY, OH; CS to V&A
GRAIN TRAIN:  13-CARS (add to Sun. Burlington train)
 
FINAL TRAIN LENGTH: 130 Cardinal System Cars
Tuesday Arrival, V&A Craney Island Export, VA
 
LOADS ROUTE: SRL to BUCYRUS, OH; NS to Roanoke VA (via Columbus OH and Bluefield WV; V&A to CRANEY ISLAND, VA. RETURNING EMPTIES take reverse route.BUNGE CORPORATION



(2) As above, this train also gathers smaller sets of grain loads as it heads east:Rural Route, P.O. Box 180
LOGANSPORT, IN
T.C. Connor, District Manager
Storage (bu): 3,750,000
Rail Carriers: NW, SRL (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 8000 bu/hr
Unloading: Rail, Truck
Route East: SRL to IRON CITY, OH.; CS to V&A
GRAIN TRAIN:  100 V&A CARS, Dp. Monday
 
WELLS COUNTY FARM BUREAU COOP.
BLUFFTON, IN
Storage (bu): 60,000
Track Space: 10 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, SRL (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 10/day
Route East: SRL to IRON CITY, OH.; CS to V&A
GRAIN TRAIN:  10 V&A CARS (add to Mon. Logansport train)
 
CRAWFORD LANDMARK COMPANY
BUCYRUS, OH
Storage (bu): 610,000
Track Space: 15 Cars
Rail Carriers: NS, SRL (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 5 Cars/Day
GRAIN TRAIN: 5 V&A CARS (add to Mon. Logansport train)
 
ZIEGLER MILLING COMPANY, MENNEL MILLING
BUCYRUS, OH
Storage (bu): 390,000
Track Space: 15 Cars
Rail Carriers: CSXT, SRL (South Ridge Lines/CS)
Loading Capacity: 15 Cars/Day
GRAIN TRAIN: 15 V&A CARS (add to Mon. Logansport train)
 
FINAL TRAIN LENGTH: 130 Virginia & Atlantic Cars
Wednesday Arrival, V&A Craney Island Export, VA
 LOADS ROUTE: SRL to BUCYRUS, OH; NS to Roanoke VA (via Columbus OH and Bluefield WV; V&A to CRANEY ISLAND, VA. RETURNING EMPTIES take reverse route.



(3)IRON CITY GRAIN COOP
IRON CITY, OH
Storage (bu): 3,722,000
Track Space: 130 Cars
Rail Carriers: V&O, OS, CSXT, NS,
SRL (South Ridge Lines/Cardinal System RR)
Loading Capacity: 130 Cars/Day
GRAIN TRAIN:  130 [Cardinal System] CARS
DEPARTING DAILY for NVCR, NAXERA EXPORT

FINAL TRAIN LENGTH: 130 Cardinal System Cars
DAILY ARRIVAL, NEW VIRGINIA CENTRAIL RAILWAY (NVCR) NAXERA EXPORT DOCKS, VA.

LOADS ROUTE: CS to STEUBENVILLE, OH; NS to Hagerstown MD; V&A Warrenton Subdivision to Tappahannock VA (via Fredericksburg); NVCR to NAXERA EXPORT DOCKS, VA. RETURNING EMPTIES take reverse route.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/15 14:18 by rbx551985.

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Currently these grain trains are simulated on paper only, as we have not acquire "Cardinal System" grain cars as have been shown in various RMC Magazine articles, however some modeled grain trains have green-paintd "SOUTH RIDGE LINES" cars (found for sale at various train shows), so those suffice, mixed in with other cars, for the time being.

Nice idea Rhett as it is a way to preserve some of the historic freelanced model railroads that shaped so many modelers from the '60s (even further if G & D is included) to today ( with UB and others).

Jay

ALSO SEE:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,3806746