'Chasing the MAW'

[alittlevanwerty]

Well yesterday sure was a wet grey day but I made the best of it. All started out slow. RJ Corman was no where near to being ready to leave their yard. Crossing the NS Fostoria District there were about 20 EJE coil cars on the siding with no power. These were still here when I drove back south about 2:40pm so I suppose they store some here til the coatin business in Leipsic is ready for them. Inside the Lafarge plant I spotted this:

MAW cars at Lafarge by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
What is the car to the left? I've seen them before but not sure of their purpose. There was still about 20 tanks inside the plant though probably different ones than last time. CNUR 7 was tied up at the north end. Looks like the plow has cleared many weeds and trees!

MAW CNUR 7 GP11 by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
Next I drove to Defiance. Wonder how many trains this will ship next year?

Defiance Ohio new elevator for CSX by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
Crossing by the CSX/MAW diamond there was a RJ Corman semi that had just unloaded rail parts for CSX and a worktruck highrailing the CSX line so no catches there. MAW 4 was just shoving cars west onto the interchange track when I got to the depot.

MAW 4 Ex Santa Fe GP7u by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

MAW 4 Ex Santa Fe GP7u 12 GP10 Ex IC by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

MAW 4 Ex Santa Fe GP7u by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
This is all the video I took before they shut down MAW 4 and left.

MAW looks forlorn but must be getting shoved around because the cars it is coupled to have shinny wheels.

MAW 12 GP10 Ex IC by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

MAW 4 Ex Santa Fe GP7u 12 GP10 Ex IC by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
I drove west toward Napoleon, stopping to investigate Jewell and Okolona. There were 4 TILX covered hoppers at the elevator in Okolona. On the east side of Napoleon I spotted CNUR 5 switching.

MAW CNUR 5 Ex Santa Fe GP7u by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr
After deciding it may be a while I drove to Wauseon to catch a NS train.

I should have just stayed in NApoleon because they had left by the time I got back. Though I missed my chance for a shot in town, they did not get far! I got ahead of them at Co Rd 17.

I think if I had the time I could have filmed them at every crossing along their entire route. Got them at the next 2, taking 45 min to do, before I had to go get my wife.

MAW CNUR 5 Ex Santa Fe GP7u by alittlevanwerty, on Flickr

 

[LoganTrackdog]

Holy crap! that last video, I thought she was on the ground! Talk about some crappy track matinance.

 

[alittlevanwerty]

Ya talk about going to work every day wondering if you will die under a tipped over locomotive!

 

[HDSDcouple]

Is that the same line that runs into Woodburn, IN? if so i got to dig out some pics

 

[Pennsy G]

It's a nice looking unit. Are they able to make any headway restoring the track?

 

[Trainfanne54]

Nice shots.

 

[alittlevanwerty]

It's a nice looking unit. Are they able to make any headway restoring the track?

Ns is replacing ties west of woodburn but I don't think the MAW has in many years.

 

[HDSDcouple]

one of my High school buddies works for NS in fort wayne. NS still services the tire plant.

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

Wow! I could have outrun that train on my bicycle! I am shocked at the track condition, they need to do some work!

 

[papio]

"What is the car to the left? I've seen them before but not sure of their purpose."

That's a scale test car to verify the accuracy of shipper's scales.

Bet a run on those rails is a real "treat" for the crews!

 

[alittlevanwerty]

I bet they can take off the neck brace for a while!