Just curious why CSX still maintains 2 lines into Toledo OH from the South? And both have decent traffic levels it seems.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I think you answered your own question.
Originally Posted by Mike W.:
Just curious why CSX still maintains 2 lines into Toledo OH from the South? And both have decent traffic levels it seems.
I've read CSX will use different routes for loads and empty's to avoid congestion. Are these heavy grain/coal/intermodal routes? Have you seen if they tend to run loads on one line and empties on the other? This could be them avoiding congestion.
Bill
The ex C&O comes up from Columbus, Ohio from points to the south and east.
The ex-B&O comes up from Cincinnati, Ohio from points to the south and west.
They are not redundant lines. They are two totally different traffic lanes.
Actually 3 CSX lines heading north to Toledo. Yeah although they do handle traffic from different areas...south of Toledo...that hasn't stopped CSX before from making a cut where trains would (purely for example) turn right at Deshler, then left again at Fostoria. They made similar changes when they rationalized Florida. Several mains were cut there and each had good traffic levels.
Back in the early 90's for about 6 years. The line north of Deshler was basically shut down of thru trains. CSX had trouble getting by WR Tower which was Conrail at the time. A local out of Toledo would service Perrysburg. A local out of Lima would go up to Tontogany when needed. The line was still inspected and maintained for any emergency.
It caused a lot of congestion at Fostoria and some delays getting into and out of Toledo. It also caused congestion around Deshler as well.
With the acquisition of Conrail and the taking out WR that helped a lot. The double tracking and installation of crossovers on the Willard/Garrett Subs also helped.
As of today, the Toledo Sub is at or beyond capacity for trains and train length. An influx of younger newer dispatchers does not help matters either. I can not see anymore cuts in lines and still be able to keep up with customer demand.
Thanks for the info. I would like to railfan that area sometime.
