Lake State RR/Flint Report
Posted by Elba Steve
on 11/11/2019, 11:31 am
It's hard to believe that it's been almost 8 months since Lake State took over the CSX operations between Flint and Plymouth. What really is quite amazing is, the startup went real smooth, and it only took a couple of weeks for things to settle into a good schedule, or scheduling of train(s) and movements. One of the biggest changes that happened(and I reported on this back when it occurred)was the reconnecting of several of the McGrew yard tracks that CSX had disconnected previously. This allowed LSRR to move their main yarding operations from Saginaw to Flint. McGrew is now a busy place, and at times there can be up to 6 or more LSRR locomotives working there. Flint-Plymouth and return trains are billed as #127, and Saginaw-Flint and return trains are billed as #126. The main yard trains are #Y-101, and #Y-110, Local switching between Flint and Holly are handled with #Y-110, and the McGrew to CN Torry exchange trains are normally #Y-110 also. There have been some other billed trains I have heard, these are basically extra's. Overnight trains into and return Flint to Saginaw operate occasionally as well....Normal schedules are as follows....Plymouth to Flint inbound to McGrew usually between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Returns to Plymouth usually 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but has returned earlier. These trains lay over at Plymouth until the next morning. Saginaw inbound to Flint usually into McGrew after 1 p.m., and returns later same day anytime after 4 p.m., but can be much later dependent on train size. CSX #D-711 most days leaves Flint for Port Huron between 11 a.m., and 2 p.m...and usually returns after 5 p.m. same day. They do however lay over at Port Huron sometimes and return before noon the next day when this happens. LSRR makes up the Port Huron trains for CSX, so all they have to do is hook up and go when LSRR gives them clearance. Grain trains have been more sporatic this year than previous years, due to rainy spring. St. Clair DTE coal has been non existant so far exception, one train earlier in the summer. One more note here, I mention Plymouth in this report several times, but LSRR actually does most of their exchanges north of there, either at Wixom, or Novi. Plymouth is just the reference point of LSRR trackage rights. Any future changes that I hear of, I will report.
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