Coming and Going on Metrolink
Metrolink’s lease of BNSF AC44CW locomotives to supplement cab-control cars is coming to an end. These buffer units were added as a result of the deadly Oxnard, Calif., accident when a Metrolink train collided with a vehicle at a crossing in 2015, exposing a structural deficiency in the Rotem-built cab cars. BNSF No. 5704 is at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal on July 19, opposite a brand-new F125 locomotive on display. Metrolink is the first commuter rail agency in the country to purchase Tier 4 locomotives, with 40 new units on order from EMD. The F125 Spirit is powered by a Caterpillar C175-20 V20 diesel engine rated at 4,700 h.p.
PHOTO BY CHARLES FREERICKS
Meet Me in St. Louis
Terminal Railroad Association’s Madison Yard can get pretty busy at times. Witness this view from July 18, which features front-to-back TRRA 202 job with four GP38- 3s, BNSF’s Madison Turn with a freshly shopped Farmrail GP38-2 in transit, and Norfolk Southern transfer DA-22 with an SD40-2 leader. In the back is TRRA’s Granite Job with a pair of GP38-3s.
PHOTO BY MARK MAUTNER
and two westbound manifests daily. The lone westbound is Train 135, which is due out of Linwood around 10:30 a.m. and is due into Asheville by 10:00 p.m. After working the yard, it departs around midnight and terminates in Knoxville by 7:00 a.m. The two eastbound trains operate from Chattanooga to Linwood, with Train 132 due through Asheville in the late afternoon, while Train 134 is due in a few hours earlier. All three trains work in Asheville Yard, where they also swap crews.
Intermodal Changes
During the summer, NS made a number of changes intended to improve the profitability of its intermodal network. On August 1, NS permanently closed its Port Wentworth intermodal terminal in Savannah, Ga. Located next
10 SEPTEMBER 2016 •
RAILFAN.COM
to Dillard Yard, the closure was made in conjunction with the strategic decision to exit the domestic market in Savannah. Instead, NS will focus on expanding international container traffic through this key Southeastern port. NS’ decision will leave CSX Transportation as the sole provider of 53-foot container service in Savannah. NS is hoping that some of the region’s traffic will continue to utilize its routings via the terminals in Atlanta. Most recently, NS offered domestic container service in just three corridors from Savannah, with schedules to and from Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angles. This traffic moved between Port Wentworth on Trains 231 (Savannah– Atlanta)
and counterpart Train 232.
In Atlanta’s Inman and Austell Yards, connections were made with other trains to support the three lanes. The above trains will continue to operate carrying
the
international
traffic,
using
NS’
Garden City Marine Terminal. This site is adjacent to the state port facilities in Savannah. Also, on July 30, NS closed its terminal in Titusville, Fla., located on the Florida East Coast Railway. Service was provided for Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, and Los Angeles in both directions, as well as northbound service into Atlanta. Titusville traffic moved on a variety of connecting schedules north of Jacksonville, with the FEC handling the movement between Jacksonville and Titusville. NS had struggled with this terminal over the years in earning the margins necessary for continued operation. Norfolk
Southern will continue to
operate its automotive distribution terminal at Titusville, which features 669 vehicles bays and 45 railcar spots on 11 acres.
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