NS Crude Oil Train Uses ex-PRR Mainline

After months of speculation on railfan chat lists, the first Norfolk Southern train used the upgraded Fort Wayne Line this week between Tolleston, Ind., (Gary) and Alliance.

The Z6X was led by Canadian Pacific 8946 and 9535. The units were reported to have been working hard up Big Run near Wooster about 11 p.m. on Wednesday night.

The train had a load of crude oil and used a pusher unit from Mace to Canton.

At Alliance, the train continued down the single track Cleveland Line, which alleviated the need to add an NS unit for the cab signal territory on the Fort Wayne Line east of Alliance.

A field report said the train operated at 25 mph between Lima and Dunkirk and then dropped down to 10 mph. at CP Kirk.

The railfan filing the report said he heard a Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern crew near Lima on the radio say that it was supposed to be 40 mph all the way to Colsan now.

The Fort Wayne Line is owned by CSX west of Crestline, but leased to the CF&E. The route was formerly the mainline of the Pennsylvania Railroad between Chicago and Pittsburgh.

 

 

Tags: Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad, Norfolk Southern, NS Fort Wayne Line