| The Dispatcher |
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| Operations - May 25, 2010 |
| The C&M had been quiet for a couple of months and came to life today. We originally had a crew of 8 signed on for the operations, but unfortunately one crew member cancelled at the last minute so we ended up with a crew of seven plus the superintendent and Oh what a crew. Things went well and everyone kept pretty busy. Our customers were thrilled with the results. We moved a lot of freight and hopefully made a lot of money for the railroad. |
| The Operators We only had 7 operators (plus the Super) but we moved a lot of freight. Steve Williams volunteered for the Dispatcher position and did an exemplary job. The Train Sheet was unbelievably complete and I could even read it. Very Good. Seth Neumann and Andy Schnur volunteered for the Grand Rapids and Mackinaw City Yardmaster positions, respectively. The other operators were Steve Kleszyk, John Blunden, Jeff Osborn and Earl Girbovan. Everyone kept very busy and even the Superintendent was pressed into service as a lowly train engineer! |
| Statistics: The total number of cars moved was 362 in a total of 35 trains: 3 1st class passenger trains 2 2nd class Fast Freights (#210 & #211) 14 turns (out plus back) 7 through freights 4 PRR interchanger's (2 out plus 2 back) 5 boat interchanger's (3 out and 2 back) 0 Ann Arbor & Kalkaska Interchange runs (out plus back) Online customer deliveries/pick ups totalled 93 cars at industrial sidings and in addition, we even picked up/setout a total of 13 express loads in our passenger operations. |
| The Yardmasters |
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| Andy and I worked on the electronics in the new 3 Arrival/Departure tracks in Mackinaw City, so Andy got the first shot at working the new electronics. They seemed to work pretty well because Andy kept the yard free all session. The photo sure looks like he is having fun! |
| The Move of the Day |
| Seth, I apology for the out of focus shot, but the C&M World Headquarters building & the engine house in the background are in focus! What can I say, Great Job. The yard never got overcrowded, however, there were a couple of anxious moments! |
| Good Job everyone. The management apologizes for the lack of photos. The Superintendent/Company Photographer/Engine Hogger was pretty busy most of the evening and moving trains won out over photography. I'll try to do better next time. Seth, again I apologize for the lack of focus in your picture. I probably could have used a photo from a previous session, but that would not have been right!!! |
| The Operatorss |
| Here is John running the Extra 314, Northbound through train through Traverse City. John is obviously having a good time. |
| Here is Jeff engineering a through frieght (out of sight next to the redwood forest). Jeff ran 7 through freight trains with a total of 88 cars. He was a one-man through freight machine. We need more operators that can Move that many cars singlehandedly! |
| Steve volunteered for the dispatcher position with only a minimum of arm twisting. Steve was on top of the railroad operations all evening. Things ran extremely well with minimal wait time for all trains. We ran a straight 24 hours and moved 35 trains. Not too shabby. Good job Steve. You can dispatch any time you want! |
| Here is Earl working Petoskey for the first time in the evening. He obviously had a total mental collapse as he took a second Petoskey turn! I understand he needed a visit to the shrink after the session. |
Steve K is working the
Grind Job. He also had a
mental lapse when he took
the second Grind Job.
Psychoanalysis may be in
order.
Grind Job. He also had a
mental lapse when he took
the second Grind Job.
Psychoanalysis may be in
order.
| Our sales force booked a very lucrative contract with a shipper from the Upper Penninsula. It was a load of Canadian Bacon from, where else, Canada. Here it is in the Grand Rapids yard, the green REA car. It came off the Boat, and was immediately put on the #101, passenger train and delivered to the Grand Rapids Yard. The GR yardmaster immediately got it on the waiting GRIND Job and moved it to it's destination at the Grand Rapids Produce Terminal. In the bottom photo, you can see the REA car in the cut of cars holding on the GR Industrial siding. It was spotted right after this photo was taken. That customer was extremely happy and plans move Rush moves in the future. Big Bucks for the C&M |
| Here is the NB Extra 314 meeting the SB #101, the Passenger Local, in Traverse City. We had many meets all session and the DS kept everyone moving. |
| Great job Yardmasters! |
| Extra 325 |
| Here is a meet in Walton Jct. The NB X-325 is meeting the SB X-314. The X-314 was setting out cars and working the setout track in WJ. At times, the sleepy little town of Walton Jct got pretty busy. Note that the 325 and the 314 engines are both positioned with the long nose forward, following C&M guidelines! |
With the GRIND tucked
into every inch of the
siding, here comes the
SB Northwood Fast
Freight #211, busting
through town.
into every inch of the
siding, here comes the
SB Northwood Fast
Freight #211, busting
through town.
Oh, Oh, the GRIND
engine is nearly
fouling the main
engine is nearly
fouling the main
| Will it clear? |
| Wow, that was close, it cleared by that much! Good Job. |
| See you Next Time. |