Good day. Have a couple of questions about CN’s line through Michigan–runs from Canada through Flint and Durand and on over to Chicago area. I was able to stop along the line through Flint for a couple of hours the other day. Signals were red eastbound and a flashing yellow westbound. As I mentioned, I stayed for a couple of hours, but saw nothing. Questions:
Anyone know what flashing yellow indicates on CN through Michigan?
Are there better/worse times of the day to catch some traffic? I seem to recall hearing somewhere there were often some lulls during the early afternoon.
A flashing yellow may have been for them to slow approach a crossover.For best CN luck go to Durand Michigan.Nice surroundings(station etc) plus they have a diamond.You could also go to the amtrak station in Port Huron and watch the trains go in and out of Canada.
I currently live in Waterford along the Holly Subdivision, but within a couple of weeks will be moving to Durand. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time there and will have more time to observe in the future.
Mornings and late afternoons seem to be the best, but CN490 always seems to arrive mid morning, and have switching work that may take an hour or two, and then depart southbound on The Holly for Detroit and Toledo.
With the economic downturn there are fewer trains on the Flint subdivision and only one each way on the Holly plus an occasional coal drag for the downriver Detroit Edison plants.
There are still manifests and intermodal that ply the line, but they are fewer than before the ‘depression’ hit Michigan. The economic downturn has hit Michigan hard. CSX and NS as well as CN are hard pressed to make a profit here. Through trains are currently their best option.
CSX’s Saginaw subdivision used to see sixteen trains a day, and are now down to four. The CN Holly subdivision had thirty trains a day including passenger trains. They are now down to two freights and a few coal drags.
Michigan is near the bottom of the food chain, and if you look at a railroad map you will see we are a bit out of the way of important connections now that the auto industry has left there is not much for the railroads to glean except grain. As the class I’s have sold or leased trackage the latter has been forfeited to short lines who interconnect with Class I’s. Michigan has been a tough place to live for both railroaders and those of who try to make a living for some time. I would like to see that change.
Thanks much for the info; very interesting perspective as I live in Troy, Michigan (northern suburb of Detroit). I’ve been to Durand many times and as Joe mentions, it’s a great place to set up shop. The station is beautiful and it’s hassle-free since the local boys in blue know why we congregate there. I’ve often thought that it seems like the CN line through Michigan should be busier–it’s a direct route from Canada to the Chicago area. But the lousy economy has taken its toll. I guess I’ve been spoiled by my trips to Fostoria, Ohio!!
Ross, a flashing yellow signal on CN is an Advance Approach–the next signal will be a yellow (Approach) and the following one should be red. Your experience almost suggests that two signals to your west is a control point of some sort.