BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2004--RailAmerica, Inc. (NYSE:RRA) today announced that its subsidiary, Central Railroad of Indianapolis, notified the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that it intends to lease 276 miles of railroad from CSX Corporation's (NYSE: CSX) subsidiary, CSX Transportation, Inc., subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement. The line, known as the Fort Wayne Corridor, runs west from Crestline, Ohio to Tolleston, Indiana, which is due east of Chicago. Central Railroad of Indianapolis anticipates moving approximately 42,000 carloads on the Fort Wayne Corridor annually. RailAmerica's Indiana & Ohio Railway directly connects and interchanges traffic with the Fort Wayne Corridor. Traffic on the line also interchanges with CSXT, Norfolk Southern and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company (IHB), as well as all western & Chicago-based carriers through the IHB. Major customers on the line are Central Soya, Steel Dynamics, Procter & Gamble, Cargill and National Lime & Stone. Commodities shipped on the line include agricultural products, chemicals, metals, paper and minerals. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I find this very interesting..You see they are still using CSX units..I suppose that will change in the coming weeks. The NS has obtain trackage rights from Crestline to Bucyrus from RA.. Being a big fan of short lines this is most welcome and exciting news..Perhaps some GP9s will be used? Of course I will settle for GP30s or 35s as well. On the down side..At one time this was PRR FT.Wayne Div..Up to 120 trains a day went through town.This would last through PC then CR..Finally CR downsized the FT.Wayne line to 4 Amtrak train a day and 12 trains from double track to single track.Then around 1990 the Amtrak trains was rerouted over the CSX(B&O) and CR on the Old NYC line between Buffalo-Chicago. After the split up of CR CSX ran up to 8 trains a day plus NS ran 12-16 trains a day between Crestline to Bucyrus after putting in a new connector so trains could be ran toward Columbus.NS uses the old Connector to run trains to Bellevue.Then CSX downsized this line again to 2 locals a day.NS now runs 16-24 trains to Crestline where they get back on their on track to Pittsburgh(former CR Pittsburgh West).
Larry, my buddy is a Trainmaster on this line, working out of Lima. RA has sent 10 ex CNW GP38-2's for this line. There is also a SD40-2, and a GP40-2 that will be used. They will eventually all be painted in the red/grey paint job, with just CFER and the number on the cab. CSXT power will remain in use on grain trains, and stone trains from Crestline will also have run-through power. Look for some exciting things to happen with this line!
RA's policy as of late has been to get rid of virtually all locomotives that have 567 prime movers (GP7/9/18/20/35). The sole exceptions, AFAIK, would be the SD20s on several lines (DGNO, for one) and the GP35Ms on Kiamichi (567D blocks with 645 power assemblies, deturboed, rated at 2000 HP). DGNO had even scrapped three old Geeps in Sherman ()well, had the work contracted out) rather than rebuild them or sell them off, so 567-powered diesels are a very rare sight. I've seen mostly GP38s and GP40s on both DGNO and Kiamichi, plus some six-axle rent-a-wrecks from CEFX and Helm Leasing for rock train power on DGNO. I can say one thing- a RailAmerica motive power roster can be described as colorful (if not a bit grubby-looking)
Thanks Guys! Being a short line junkie as I stated before I am really excited about RA coming to town.However,I am sadden that there will be no older Geeps..But,still another short line in my area. Now,I freely admit seeing big SD50s/60s going up the industrial branch to National Lime Stone at Spore is indeed a sight to behold. This industrial branch is part of the old T&OC(NYC) main line to Toledf course it now ends at National Lime Stone.. The old T&OC shops and yard here in Bucyrus is now Transco Rail Products.A car rebuilding company.Also of note is the old T&OC Station is being refurbish to its original condition and will house a railroad museum and the old T&OC flag stop station that was on Plymouth street will house a gift shop.
