St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (SLR/SLQ)

SLR's new power, SD70MACs 4022-4023-4024 arrived at Lewiston Junction this afternoon. After backing
some freight cars onto the branch and returning to the ML, units backed eastward down ML and then
pulled into the east engine house lead, cut off trailing two units and pulled 4023 into the house. After
carefully spotting the unit they managed to close the engine house doors- I wonder if there is room enough
for a man to squeeze between the couplers and the doors on either end?

About 3' to spare on both sides, apparently.

3047, went east through Gorham with a depressed flatcar and transformer and several LP tank cars around 18:25

Hello,
On this wintry morning (colder but not much snow), this morning's SLQ westbound 393 departed Island Pond at 0745 with the following:

GP40-2 3047
RM-1 805
GP40-3 3805
RLHH SD40-2 3403
12 centerbeam flats
1 bulkhead flat
1 hi-sided gondola
4 covered hoppers
6 boxcars
49 tank cars

That's 73 cars total, including 1 load and 72 empties.
Have a great and finally sunny day,
Fritz

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d3 ... b24575d09d

SLR has received a $19.5 CRISI grant towards upgrades to the line between Lewiston and Bethel.

Casey,
Thanks for mentioning the CRISI grant, which was actually awarded to all three states (VT, NH, and ME) and includes work from MP 16 in Norton to Lewiston Junction. Here's a summary from their application (I hope it is okay to copy and paste this):

"The Project will provide the final piece of SLR’s efforts to increase capacity, attain a state of good repair, and improve railroad safety by upgrading the remaining segments of track across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The upgrades will increase railcar capacity of the entire line from 263,000 pounds (lb) to the modern standard of 286,000 lb used throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, thereby lowering shipping costs and allowing businesses to remain competitive, including those served by multi-modal connections. Currently, businesses can only partially load railcars (i.e., light-loading) due to the weight restriction. After the Project is completed, businesses will be able to fully load 286,000-lb capacity railcars. The Project will ensure sustainable operations for the railway, maintain business for major employers of the region, and help attract new businesses. Key components of the Project include 1) installing approximately 192,455 feet of 115# continuous welded rail (CWR), 2) replacing approximately 3,575 ties over 6.5 miles along with ballast and surfacing, 3) rehabilitating 3 grade crossings, and 4) upgrading 11 turnouts to 115# rail."

The new turnouts will be installed in the yard at Island Pond and on the Lewiston Branch.
Best,
Fritz

Hello,
On this warmer morning, the SLQ westbound 393 departed Island Pond at 0727 with the following:

QG GP40-2L 3014
RM-1 805
GP40-3 3805
RM-1 804
GP40-3 3804
2 centerbeam flats
13 hi-cube boxcars
3 covered hoppers
42 tank cars

That's 60 cars total, including 9 loads and 51 empties. All five locomotives were on-line. It seems like the SLR desperately needs to get those SD70MACs into operation!
Have a great day,
Fritz

Hello,
On this cloudy but warm Ground Hog's Day, the SLQ westbound 393 departed Island Pond at 0749 with the following:

GP40-2 3047
RM-1 804
GP40-3 3804
14 centerbeam flats
7 bulkhead flats
5 boxcars
1 hi-sided gondola
48 tank cars

That's 75 cars total, including 3 loads and 72 empties.
Have a great day!
Fritz

Quite an ensemble of power at Lewiston Junction this afternoon including 3035-4024-3008-806-3806-4023.
4023 appears to be in a consist on the fuel track- has it been placed in service? I've heard some horns during
the night that are definitely "different" the past week or so.

Hello,
In sunshine, this morning's SLQ westbound 393 departed Island Pond at 0744 with the following:

GP40-2 3047
RM-1 804
GP40-3 3804
4 centerbeam flats
2 bulkhead flats
8 boxcars
24 tank cars

That's 38 cars total, all empties. A short train but I think they ran last Friday night also.

I'll be watching to see if they run tonight and see if the 4023 makes its debut on the road.
Best,
Fritz

Hello,
On another sunny day, this morning's SLQ westbound 393 departed Island Pond at 0737 with the following:

RM-1 806
GP40-3 3806
SD70MAC 4023
QG GP40-2L 3014
7 centerbeam flats
5 bulkhead flats
6 hi-sided gondolas
5 boxcars
32 tank cars

That's 55 cars total, including 3 loads and 52 empties. Unfortunately, it was early enough, so that it was difficult to get a good photo of the "new" 4023, which was third out. Here's the best I could do:
SLQ 393 at Lake this morning ...
Best,
Fritz

Fritz, would you mind re-posting the SLR schedules? I'm interested in the Greenwood/Bryant Pond sections.

I'm not Fritz but 393 has been west through South Paris after 2200 pretty consistently the past couple
of months, returning eastbound about 5 hours later, usually 4 days a week- Mon-Tue-Thurs-Fri.

They were through South Paris just before midnight last night; 394 wasn't into Gorham until well after 3am.

thank you