Railfan Trip Reports > OS 24 Hours in Durand, MI Friday August 17th to Saturda

OS 24 Hours in Durand, MI Friday August 17th to Saturday August 18th, 2002

13:55 M37461 17 (UP Chicago Proviso, IL via IHB – Flint, MI) 68 cars EB #2
CNW 8602 (C44-9W)
UP 9077 (C40-8)

14:09 E28131 16 (Toronto, ON – NS Chicago Landers, IL) 74 cars WB #1
CN 5365 (SD40-2)
CN 5261 (SD40-2)

14:15 M39461 16 (BNSF Chicago, IL via BRC – Toronto, ON) 0 car s/o
CN 2567 (C44-9WL)
CN 5649 (SD75I)

14:45 M39461 16 p/u 55 cars (23/32) cars from CMGN

14:56- P08531 17 (Amtrak International 364) 3 coaches WB #2-#1
14:58 AMTK ?? (P42DC)

15:17 Maintenance of Way crane heads around the Port Huron wye and sets off three flat cars in the westward storage (off the #1 track between East Durand and Durand).

15:19 M39461 16 heads east with 146 cars on the #2 track

15:40 Maintenance of Way crane returns to yard.

16:15 M39861 16 (Centralia, IL – Toronto, ON) 75 cars EB #1
CN 2412 (C40-8M)
CN 5427 (SD50F)

Will wait at East Durand for 88 to go around him.

16:38- P08861 17 (Amtrak International 364) 4 horizon coaches EB #2
16:39 AMTK 33 (P42DC)

17:22 M39562 17 (Flint, MI – BNSF Chicago, IL via BRC 2nd Section) 0 car s/o
GTW 4925 (GP38-2)
GTW 4934 (GP38-2)

17:32- C76461 17 (BNSF Chicago, IL – CMGN Durand, MI) 121 coal loads
18:04 BN 9513 (SD70MAC)
BN 9414 (SD70MAC)

18:06 M39561 17 (Toronto, ON – BNSF Chicago, IL via BRC) 106 cars WB#2
CN 5530 (SD60F)
CN 5527 (SD60F)

18:12 M39562 17 p/u 25 cars

18:32 H53461 17 (CP Bensenville, IL via IHB – Melrose, ON) 80 cars EB #2
CP 8531 (CW44AC)
CP 8622 (CW44AC)

18:39 M39562 17 heads west with 70 cars on #1 track.

18:50 C76461 17 heads to Flint with 7 cars from Durand on #1 track.

19:35 CMGN 771 (Durand, MI – Essexville, MI) 121 coal loads NB
CMGN 5492 (B30-7A)
CMGN 4065 (B30-7AB)
CMGN 5175 (C30-7A)

19:46 M39261 17 (CP Chicago Bensenville, IL – Toronto, ON) 109 cars EB #2
CN 2450 (C40-8M)
CN 9508 (GP40-2WL)

Took a drive towards Flint, saw 399 at Morrish Road.

20:07 M39931 17 (Toronto, ON – EJE/UP Griffith, IN) 117 cars
CN 5676 (SD75I)
CN 5618 (SD70I)

While I was in Flint Greg, Jon, and Dan show up and provide me with the details on 376, 399 and TSBY.

21:00 M37661 17 (UP Chicago Proviso, IL via IHB – Pontiac, MI) 62 racks
UP 4447 (SD70M)
UP 9602 (C44-9W)

Power went to Detroit, racks were set out at Pontiac.

21:12 M39931 17 heads west with 91 cars #1 track.

21:18 TSBY Southbound with 18 cars
TSBY 393 (GP35)
TSBY 392 (GP35)
TSBY 394 (GP35)

LONG BREAK.

23:10 M39131 17 (Toronto, ON – CP Bensenville, IL) 118 cars WB #1
CN 2447 (C40-8M)
CN 2454 (C40-8M)

23:23 E27161 17 (Port Huron, MI – EJE/UP Griffith, IN) 57 cars WB #1
UP 9077 (C40-8)
CNW 8602 (C44-9W)

That was the power of off 374 from earlier in the day.

23:30 A45561 17 (Flat Rock, MI – Battle Creek, MI) 133 cars
GTW 5912 (SD40)
GTW 5933 (SD40-2)
GTW 4604 (GP9R)
GTW 4612 (GP9R)
GTW 4614 (GP9R)

00:41 L53361 17 (Detroit Moterm, MI – Durand, MI Turn) 65/1 platforms with 9 trailers, and 108 containers
GTW 4619 (GP9R)
GTW 4907 (GP38-2)

01:00 TSBY Northbound with 1 car
TSBY 394 (GP35)
TSBY 392 (GP35)
TSBY 393 (GP35)

01:04 Unknown possibly M39162 18 with 33 cars (29 racks, 4 Cubes) WB #1
BNSF 9909 (SD70MAC)
BNSF 9941 (SD70MAC)

The above train we are completely unsure as to what the symbol was. By the time it was traced, the engines were on 395 and the cars were already at CP Bensenville, which makes us think it was an extra 391. Any ideas please fill in.

01:23 Q14261 17 (Chicago Markham, IL – Toronto, ON) 16/0 platforms for 533 with 32 containers
CN 6010 (SD40u)
CN 5408 (SD50F)

01:44 A45661 17 (Battle Creek, MI – Pontiac, MI) 75 racks
GTW 4928 (GP38-2)
GTW 4923 (GP38-2)

01:59 M39661 17 (UP Chicago Proviso, IL via IHB – Toronto, ON) 81 cars EB #2
CN 2583 (C44-9WL)
CN 5468 (SD50F)
CN 5246 (SD40-2)

02:04 Q14261 17 p/u 26/1 platforms with 2 trailers and 38 containers.

02:24 Q14261 17 heads to East Durand on #2 track with 52/7 platforms to meet 149.

02:37 Q14911 16 (Halifax, NS – Chicago Gateway, IL) 6 aluminum loads (3 boxcars, 3 flats) 128/8 platforms WB #1
CN 5704 (SD75I)
CN 5451 (SD50F)
CN 5777 (SD75I)
IC 6018 (SD40-2)


02:47 M39461 17 (BNSF Chicago, IL via BRC – Toronto, ON) 0 car s/o
CN 5740 (SD75I)
IC 2455 (C40-8W)

03:05 M39461 17 p/u 24 cars

03:19 Q14331 17 (Toronto, ON – Chicago Gateway, IL) 32/1 platforms with 13 trailers and 30 containers for 533
CN 5701 (SD75I)

03:47 E24261 17 (Flint, MI – Toledo, OH) 45 cars
GTW 4927 (GP38-2)
GTW 4933 (GP38-2)

03:59 M39461 17 heads east with 74 cars on #2 track.

04:23 Q14331 17 p/u from 533 44 loads and 69 containers.

04:41 M37662 17 arrives to drop off UP 9189 for 533 as one of 533’s engines has ran out of fuel. The crew only has until 06:00 to work, and because of some not so great dispatching they will die in Durand.

04:46 Q14331 17 heads west with 74 cars.

TD3 tells M37662 17 to drop the UP 9189 in the South Side as the original plan to put the engine in the westward siding was nixed. After some discussion between 376 and 533, the crews try to help 533 by putting the engine in the yard. 376 calls TD3 to ask to do that, but TD3 tells them to just set the engine off in the yard.

376 “I can tell a bunch of MCO’s figured this out”
533 to TD3 “Why can’t 376 s/o their engine in the yard”
TD3 “I’m just doing what I’m told”

And another mess begins. A track light is on between Bancroft and Shaftsburg, which are later found to be a broken rail.

05:34 H53531 17 (Melrose, ON – CPRS Bensenville, IL via IHB) 131 cars WB #1
CP 8628 (AC44CW)
CP 8636 (AC44CW)

05:41 E24361 17 (Toledo, OH – Flint, MI) 94 cars
GTW 5917 (SD40)
GTW 4916 (GP38-2)

05:59 533 heads south via the main to pick up UP 9189 from the South Side.

06:30 533 heads south at Pitt. 533 will meet 251 in Gaines so Greg, Dan and I head there.

Gaines, MI

06:52 E25161 18 (Detroit, MI – IHB Gibson, IN) 57 cars
BNSF 8036 (SD40-2)
GTW 4921 (GP38-2)
GTW 6401 (GP40-2)

07:01 L53361 17 heads south with 48/1 platforms containing 62 containers and 13 trailers

07:21 E25861 18 (Battle Creek, MI - IORY Flat Rock, MI) 112 cars
GTW 6419 (GP40-2)
GTW 5920 (SD40)
GTW 4609 (GP9R)

The broken rail between Bancroft and Shaftsburg is causing a huge mess. 251 heads towards Durand and will wait in the south side. In addition TD3 has the #2 main still blocked between Durand and Vernon due to 376 dieing. TD2 relays the bad news that he is 4 times out.

08:04 M37662 17 heads south with 69 cars and just the UP 4230.

08:15 TD3 changes his mind, and lets 251 go to Vernon. The westbounds are really stacking up with 393, followed by 275 and 281 is somewhere out there. 148 is following 330 and will pass him at Vernon.

08:43 TD3 gives a lineup to the signal maintainer at the broken rail. All trains are being walked over it, so at least things are slowing moving. TD3 tells the maintainer that 535 is at Bancroft (passed us at 05:34!!), 251 at Vernon, 393 at Durand, 275 at East Durand, 216 at Shaftsburg, and 246 is at Okemos.

09:08 Q14861 17 (Chicago Gateway, IL – Halifax, NS) 92/1 platforms EB #2
CN 5662 (SD75I)
CN 2540 (C44-9WL)

09:17 M39331 17 (Toronto, ON – UP Chicago Proviso, IL via IHB) 90 cars WB #1
CN 2642 (C44-9WL)
CN 5616 (SD75I)

09:36 E27531 17 (Toronto, ON – IHB Gibson, IN) 40 cars WB #1
CN 5330 (SD40-2)

09:42 M33061 18 (Battle Creek, MI – Buffalo, NY) 37 cars EB #2
CN 5530 (SD60F)
CN 5527 (SD60F)

10:22 M39731 17 (Toronto, ON – Centralia, IL) about 130 cars
CN 5727 (SD75I)
CN 5659 (SD75I)

Greg, Jon and myself decide to catch a few trains on the CSX. We missed a few CN trains, but bagged a couple CSX. The CSX OS will be at the bottom of the report to keep things contiguous. This information was gleaned from Bill Miller’s report.

11:27 CMGN 770 (Bay City, MI – Durand, MI) 83 cars
CMGN 5175 (B30-7A)
CMGN 4065 (B30-7AB)
CMGN 5492 (B30-7A)

11:42 E28131 17 (Toronto, ON – NS Gibson City, IN) ?? cars
CN 5356 (SD40-2)
CN 5345 (SD40-2)

In the meantime, the overnight gang (Greg, Jon and myself) head to Seymour road, just north of Linden and catch 246. Bill saw him in Durand at 12:17.

12:35 E24661 18 (Battle Creek, MI – CSXT Toledo Stanley, OH) 91 cars SB Main
GTW 5936 (SD40-2)
GTW 5922 (SD40)

Then the gang heads North to Van Slyke road where we catch 216. This is after 216’s pickup. Bill logged him in Durand at 12:06, so a rather quick pickup was made.

13:14 E21661 18 (Battle Creek, MI – Toronto, ON) 69 cars EB Main
CN 5261 (SD40-2)
CN 5365 (SD40-2)
CN 5259 (SD40-2)
CN 5332 (SD40-2)

216 official ends the 24 hours, but I had to work Amtrak so this OS gives more trains for the buck. The 24-hour mark yielded 41 trains, a little under 2 an hour.

Now some more congestion is added. A ceremony honoring two fallen railroaders is to start at 15:00 and TD3 has been instructed to halt at trains at 14:45. 500 is told he has to make his s/o and be out of town by then, and he just makes.

14:15 L50061 18 (Battle Creek, MI – Port Huron, MI local) 24 car s/o
GTW 4934 (GP38-2)
GTW 4925 (GP38-2)

14:31 500 p/u 0 cars

14:44(!!) L50061 18 heads east with 40 cars. Beat the mark by 1 minute.

Break for ceremony. Trains are stacking up. When things clear up, TD3 tells 85 that he will wait at West Flint for 4 eastbounds. I couldn’t get car counts, as the public decided to talk to me right when a train went by. Obvious question of the day: Does Amtrak still stop here????……..

15:51 M39261 18 (CP Bensenville, IL – Toronto, ON) ?? cars EB #2
CN 5618 (SD70I)
CN 5676 (SD75I)
CN 6017 (SD40u)

16:04 M39861 17 (Centralia, IL – Toronto, ON) ??? cars EB #1
CN 5799 (SD75I)
CN 5313 (SD40-2)

88 will run around him at East Durand.

16:08- P08861 18 (Amtrak International 364) 4 coaches
16:09 AMTK 30 (P42C)

16:12 H53461 18 (IHB Blue Island, IL – Melrose, ON) 112 cars EB #1
CP 9158 (SD90MAC)
CP 8548 (AC44CW)

16:51- P08561 18 (Amtrak 365 International) 4 coaches
16:52 AMTK 29 (P42DC)

SO the grand total is 47 trains in 25.5 hours which is 1.84 trains per hour.

Oh yes, the Flint post. Nothing that exciting as we just headed to McGrew (CSX’s Flint Yard) to catch two trains.

10:40 D73618 (Saginaw, MI – Detroit, MI) 19 cars
CSXT 2644 (GP38-2)

11:08 D73718 (Grand Blanc, MI – Flint or Holly, MI Local) 5 cars to Holly
CSXT 2576 (GP38-2)

Wayne

wayne6211 wrote:

> OS 24 Hours in Durand, MI Friday August 17th to Saturday
> August 18th, 2002

Thanks for the "forecast," Wayne!

LOL.

Wayne, I\'ve told you before, SAY NO TO CRACK!
Brent

Another fine detailed report, keep \'em coming! It looks like Durand is still a great spot to see a really good variety of trains.

Bob

Well as most of you can figure out August was supposed to be May. Not sure how i messed that one up.

Hmmmmm,August....May.....????As Brent said, say no to crack...LOL, j/k. It\'s about time you got another report up...i was was wondering what was going on up there late at night.

Justin