Lansdale Cluster

Sorry for the late posting but I understand CSX sold off the cluster and the Northeastern PA RR was to take over as of 1/17/11. I guess everything went as planned and what do they use for power for now? Thanks.

CSX is still in Lansdale. While I've heard reliable information of this happening from both CSX and NHIR people, there has yet to be any documentation on the STB website, and as far as I know, no action has taken place.

I forget where I heard it from but I read somewhere that all freight from Lansdale north will be handled by East Penn Railways. They already operate the line from Telford to Quakertown so it makes sense.

Thanks. I read in one of the most recent Railpace issues (I think it was Jan '11) that CSX put out a notice to their employees in that area that this was supposed to happen. Was curious as to what was going on as I've seen nothing on the message boards.

Fyi, the power for the Lansdale-Ivyland transfer will be 2 former NS C39-8's, Nos. 8211 & 8212. One is NS black, the other is CR blue. My semi-educated guess is that EPRY will move one of their 4-axle dash 7's up to assist with and handle Bethlehem branch shifting, and New Hope will service Lansdale Warehouse on the Doylesown Line and Philadelphia Macaroni on the Warminster line with their cab signal equipped locomotives.

limejuice wrote:Fyi, the power for the Lansdale-Ivyland transfer will be 2 former NS C39-8's, Nos. 8211 & 8212. One is NS black, the other is CR blue. My semi-educated guess is that EPRY will move one of their 4-axle dash 7's up to assist with and handle Bethlehem branch shifting, and New Hope will service Lansdale Warehouse on the Doylesown Line and Philadelphia Macaroni on the Warminster line with their cab signal equipped locomotives.

what about NHI servicing the doylestown branch?

jtaeffner wrote:

limejuice wrote:Fyi, the power for the Lansdale-Ivyland transfer will be 2 former NS C39-8's, Nos. 8211 & 8212. One is NS black, the other is CR blue. My semi-educated guess is that EPRY will move one of their 4-axle dash 7's up to assist with and handle Bethlehem branch shifting, and New Hope will service Lansdale Warehouse on the Doylesown Line and Philadelphia Macaroni on the Warminster line with their cab signal equipped locomotives.

what about NHI servicing the doylestown branch?

I think they are getting a surplus E44 to service the Doylestown Branch.

I too haven't heard or seen anything official on the STB site about this whole transaction.

The Lansdale Yahoo group was alight about it, but beyond that, I haven't seen anything. I don't have reason to doubt the people who brought it up, but at the same time, I haven't heard anything official either.

limejuice wrote:Fyi, the power for the Lansdale-Ivyland transfer will be 2 former NS C39-8's, Nos. 8211 & 8212. One is NS black, the other is CR blue. My semi-educated guess is that EPRY will move one of their 4-axle dash 7's up to assist with and handle Bethlehem branch shifting, and New Hope will service Lansdale Warehouse on the Doylesown Line and Philadelphia Macaroni on the Warminster line with their cab signal equipped locomotives.

To the best of my knowledge, NH&I doesnt own anything with cab signals? Whats equipped?

BuddSilverliner269 wrote:To the best of my knowledge, NH&I doesnt own anything with cab signals? Whats equipped?

Of which i may have improperly tagged as Greenbrier rebuilds ...
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271546
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271547
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271548
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271549

nomis wrote:

BuddSilverliner269 wrote:To the best of my knowledge, NH&I doesnt own anything with cab signals? Whats equipped?

Of which i may have improperly tagged as Greenbrier rebuilds ...
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271546
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271547
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271548
http://nomis.rrpicturearchives.net/show ... id=2271549

Well Im rather confused as I am under the impression that NH&I doesnt own these and so that still begs the question, what does NH&I have thats cab signalled equiped?

A few of those units belongs to the new Greenbrier Express Inc.
Len.

Two of the C39's - 8211 & 8212 - will be retained by RPI and leased to the Pennsylvania Northeast company that will operate the Lansdale cluster. Those units are cab signal equipped. RPI also owns the other diesel locomotives on NH&I property. It is my understanding that Pennsylvania Northeast is a joint effort between East Penn and NH&I. Since they are cab signal equipped, I'm assuming the C39's will be used to handle customers on the Warminster and Doylestown lines in addition to transferring freight between Lansdale and Ivyland. The Doylestown line is still governed by rule 261 without cabs at the moment, but will be completely cab signaled 562 territory without automatic waysides in another year or so. The portion from Lansdale to Link Belt will be activated sooner, perhaps in the summer, and that portion encompasses nearly all the freight traffic on the branch (Lansdale Warehouse)

I have seen a few videos of the PANE. It seems like a cool operation.

limejuice wrote:Two of the C39's - 8211 & 8212 - will be retained by RPI and leased to the Pennsylvania Northeast company that will operate the Lansdale cluster. Those units are cab signal equipped. RPI also owns the other diesel locomotives on NH&I property. It is my understanding that Pennsylvania Northeast is a joint effort between East Penn and NH&I. Since they are cab signal equipped, I'm assuming the C39's will be used to handle customers on the Warminster and Doylestown lines in addition to transferring freight between Lansdale and Ivyland. The Doylestown line is still governed by rule 261 without cabs at the moment, but will be completely cab signaled 562 territory without automatic waysides in another year or so. The portion from Lansdale to Link Belt will be activated sooner, perhaps in the summer, and that portion encompasses nearly all the freight traffic on the branch (Lansdale Warehouse)

The East Penn Railroad is not a partner in any of the Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad. As far as I know, New Hope & Ivyland is the Parent owner of them.

The Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad is its own independent operation and has no connection with the NH&I or ESPN other then interchanging with them. Power for the railroad is provided be two C39-8s (8211, 8212) and two exCN SD40-2Ws (5315, 5342 currently not in service).