A while back we discussed the new NS intermodal train NS295 running between Chicago and Florida, using the FEC for final delivery. It took awhile but I was able to take a look at it tonight.
It was mainly EMP, JBHunt, and Hub containers with a couple of other truckers (US Express had one unit and I forget the other). There were about 90 containers, with about 30 singles and the balance stacked.
While I am at it, does anyone know if the 25A and 230 are still running? I havent heard either in quite some time. My guess is (and only a guess) that 25A has been consolidated into the 295 and 230 and 282 have also been consolidated.
Train count is way down on the NKP line (Chicago to Ft Wayne).
train count is down on the waterlevel route and the ft wayne cincinnati line too according to my friends.Csx train count is down as well.with their consolodations however some trains have become even longer.
Both 25A and 230 used to run on the New Castle District FWA to CVG on NS. Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen or heard 230 in a while, either. Two months ago 25A was running daily on the CF&E between ORD (actually Spriggsboro west of Valpo) and FWA before turning South. Lately 25A has been missing, too. I last saw/heard it March 6th.
Living in Valpo, it was a treat to see the 25A rumbling thru town on the stick rail. I was lucky enough to photograph several. The great thing about 25A is it runs into the sun, a rare EB morning intermodal out of Chicago.
It hasnt been around in quite some time. Been taking notes for a couple of weeks and both 25A and 230 are missing.
25A, 230 and 282 are still all running. 25A and 282 are run as needed, while 230 and 285 are daily trains running 6-7 days a week. (I will say that 230 has become rather short as of late, usually maxing out at 4,000’ or less…quite pathetic for a train that routinely spiked 10,000’ daily) From what I was told, 294/295 are currently only running one day a week due to the lack of traffic.
Thanks. I havent heard 230 or 25A in ages. However, everything is running hours ahead of a year ago.
For example, the morning westbound parade into Chicago would find 261 and 218 between 6am and 7am, followed by 230, 233, and 235 between 10am and noon.
Now, I dont even hear 261 and 218 ( I start listening at 6am) and 233 & 235 are always passing at 830 - 10am fully two hours earlier than a year ago.
With fewer trains running there are fewer meets on the single track CTC and trains are moving quicker (at least that is my theory)