Intermodal to Saint John

More grant money is heading towards EMR.

https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom ... ural-maine

They also applied for grants for some bridges on MNR.

https://thecounty.me/2024/10/09/busines ... r-repairs/

121 was into Greenville Jct at 08:49 with CP 8823/KCS 4117, 20 mixed freight, 38 wells/57 containers, KCS 5003 (DPU), 60 wells/103 containers, one empty well.

[Edited at 17:07]

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 13:28 with CP 8608/CP 8122, 27 mixed freight (6 loaded autoracks), 20 empty wells, 8 wells/8 containers.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 06:09 with CP 8122/CP 8608, 12 mixed freight, 55 wells/99 containers.

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 20:59 with CP 8716/CP 9756,
13 mixed freight(0 autoracks),
53 wells/102 containers,
DPU - CP 8923,
52 wells, 70 containers, 1 empty well,
3 spines, 3 containers, 2 empty spines.

KuBand12 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 1:40 pm Since we are discussing counting ships on the way to/from Montreal, they might be slightly lower on the next flight both in numbers, and in their ground clearance.

Mr. KuBand, I really think measuring maritime traffic, whether by "getting lucky" as I did with the flight home from Berlin last week, or reviewing reports of Port callings at Montreal is part of our discussion of Saint John port activity.

While it appears that Chessie makes rates at Montreal, and she has the Adirondack Division line to Syracuse, fine for her East-West traffic over the NYC; not so fine for traffic moving to the Southeast. At such time as she gets the MEC into shape, she will have a direct route with which to handle traffic to her "core" Southeast from Saint John. On this point, and I've asked this previously, I must wonder what restrictions the passenger train agencies - MBTA and NNEPRA - have placed on Chessie, be such by hours, weight, or speed, on her operations. After all, they did take taxpayer $$$$ to have FRA Class 4 track Worcester-Portland for their respective agency's trains.

Oh, and finally on that flight, UA963 22OCT EDDB-KEWR, also got a good view of Selkirk. United, I know you are not in the business of experiential flightseeing, but you sure delivered to me last week . What with Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, icebergs, Greenland, no wonder I didn't sleep a wink.

Indeed Mr. QB, I did make it to Frankfurt/Oder. "Innocent abroad" did a farebeat. I had a week pass for €49,00 good on U, S, and Regional Bahn. Frankfurt/Oder showed on the map they gave me, but it was well outside pass limits (the Airport was "on limits"; beyond "off").

They never came around to examine heading East; when they did returning, I was back "on limits", so all I got was a smile.

The gal never knew I was "bad boy"

Finally, I learned of the flood conditions.when over there, but rail operations appeared either un or no longer affected. I never left the Bahnhof as I wanted to get back to Berlin to take a river cruise while the weather was good. Posted over at Worldwide Forum are photos of engines still in Deutsche Reichbahn livery and a steam locomotive that I assume is no longer in revenue service.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 09:09 with CP 8716/CP 9756, 63 wells/125 containers, 2 empty wells, CP 8923 (DPU), 40 wells/76 containers, 20 mixed freight (5 autoracks).

[Edited at 16:46]

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 15:45 with CP 8796/CP 7018, 27 mixed freight (2 loaded autoracks), 25 wells/39 containers, 113 empty wells.

NBSR 121 spent the night at McAdam, not departing until after 08:30 ADT, so CPKC 121 didn't run this morning.

[Edited at 17:56]

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 15:48 with CP 8122/CP 8608, 18 mixed freight (6 loaded autoracks), 62 wells/101 containers, one empty well, CP 8600 (DPU), 47 wells/62 containers, 55 empty wells.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 09:52 with CP 8600/CP 7018/CP 8608, 86 wells/160 containers, CP 8122 (DPU), 38 wells/76 containers, 51 mixed freight (3 autoracks).

[Edited at 18:21]

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 15:35 with 2 CP units, 12 mixed freight (3 loaded autoracks), 71 wells/113 containers, 21 empty wells.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 09:16 with CP 8796/CP 8716, 9 mixed freight, 46 wells/92 containers, CP 9705 (DPU), 41 wells/74 containers, 23 mixed freight (7 empty autoracks).

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 12:57 with CP 9351/KCSM 4549, 5 mixed freight, 45 wells/69 containers, 19 empty wells.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 08:38 with CP 9351/CP 3037/CP 3035, 15 mixed freight, 58 wells/110 containers, KCSM 4549 (DPU), 54 wells/105 containers, 6 empty autoracks.

[Edited at 15:03]

120 was into Greenville Jct. at 12:46 with CP 8781 (Saint John Express)/CP 8174/KCSM 4661, 17 mixed freight (one loaded autorack), 56 wells/81 containers, 10 empty wells.

121 was into Greenville Jct. at 08:38 with KCSM 4661/CP 8174, 57 wells/113 containers, CP 8781 (DPU), 3 wells/6 containers, 57 mixed freight (11 autoracks).

Mr. NHV, your reports of CPKC (CP-M) consists are indeed encouraging. It seems as if maritime operators, despite Bay of Fundy tidal conditions, desire to call at Saint John - and possibly at the expense of Halifax.

I have to wonder to what extent the shippers using rail transportation to an inland destination are deterred by Halifax being only served by one road. At Saint John, they have a choice of three (even if Chessie is really not yet ready to play in the big kids' sandbox, she still makes rates out of Saint John).

Let's hope that vessels will call at Saint John in increasing numbers, as the Port's operator with their adding new cranes there seems to hold, so that Chessie and CPKC need not get into a ruinous rate war. True, CN makes rates, but their route is indeed circuitous for traffic consigned to anywhere.

Finally, if for some reason I'm mistaken holding these thoughts, please, Messrs. CN, Kuband, or NHV, step up. I respect you are all much closer to the action than am I (well, save maybe for a few minutes on that flight from Berlin).

Mr. Norman,

I would argue CSXT is already playing in the "big kids sandbox", as several customers that originate or receive loads on their lines are now shipping via Mattawamkeag vs. over the Moosehead.

They'll have the former "Freight Main Line" all up to 40 before we know it at the current pace of work, and will have a competitive route against the Moosehead that is 40 in many places, but I believe still has slow spots besides the Lac Megantic area.

I'm not sure if the 20mph for head end power over crossings still applies, as the train seems to cruise by the camera at a good clip some days, with Greenville's Maple Avenue just east of it. The overpass over Route 6 just west of that crossing had a 35mph MAS sign when I was up there a few years ago.