MA&N weird move to Utica on 5/27

Anyone see the MA&N engine backing up on the CSX mainline today? The conductor was riding the rear as they backed up past CP 239 by the fast trac station.

MA&N has trackage rights on CSX between CP 235 (east Utica)and CP248 (Rome). the locomotive can not be turned so it runs long end forward. Units have full FRA lighting on both ends.

Al Gorney

No, it wasnt the locomotive, the locomotive was pushing the cars towards utica and the conductor was standing on a tank car as they backed up.

Probably had to shove car into their spur in Rome because there's no way to run around prior to switching move.

Charlie

A friend of mine who lives in the area and was listening to all the radio chatter gave me this report:

"It seems CSX parked a welded rail train on the MA&N's Rome Industrial Track,without asking MA&N's permission. This effectively blocked the MA&N from access the railroad from the mainline at CP248. The dispatcher did not notice that the track was blocked, and he let the MA&N train out from the electric lock hand throw at MP237. When the train called the CSX flagman for permission to enter his work zone, the flagman asked where are you going and noted that the Rome lead was blocked with a crewless rail train! So the dispatcher got involved and had him back up to Utica!"