Vermont Rail System (VTR, GMRC, WACR, CLP, NYOG)

Ben Elmore on Facebook:

Long time VRS customer Feed Commodities in Vergennes burned down this morning

https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Fire- ... lH_2a_6SQQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Got to see the crew turn 307 on the Newport turntable at 0945 this morning, unit didn't move by the time I left at 1030, looked like they were still fiddling with the turntable when I left town.

Got both WACR trains today.

NPWJ with 204, one covered hopper, and nine CMQ boxes, at River Road in Coventry at 11:17. I chased them from South yard to the Lyndon yard, where they stopped for lunch at 12:55.

https://youtu.be/EulxRVZCK5Q

I then drove south on route 5, where I met WJNP just as I was about to turn around and call it a day after crossing over the tracks west of Wells River. I was turning for the pull-off when I saw them rounding the curve. I shot them going over US 302 on the high bridge at 14:18. 307, one bulkhead flat, an MMA box, and an empty centerbeam.

https://youtu.be/W9_ZdNrhukU

I chased them until just outside of St. J until heading home around 15:00. NPWJ had not yet made it to the yard by that time.

Casey,
Thank you for the update and sharing the videos that you took!

Have we seen any increase in traffic/proposed traffic since the CM&Q/VRS run through last year?

Still seems to be a big swing in cars day to day - no cars some days, enough to split the tonnage others. It would be nice to see the trains get big enough to require two units, at least every on line customer I saw between Newport and Morrison's had at least two cars spotted.

A plow extra, with actual plow was run over the GMRC today.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=you ... rlKmz-0l0#

GMRC Train #263 (slurry) vs TT log truck at East Wallingford VT. 1/26
From Northeast Fire News:
2019-01-26 9:41 EST | VT | EAST WALLINGFORD |**TRAIN INCIDENT**| 1 SEWARD RD | CARGO TRAIN VS LOG TT UNIT WITH ENTRAPMENT. DHART RESPONDING. M/A EMS AND FD REQ |

At least two locomotives damaged. Train crew reported okay. Truck driver
airlifted to hospital.

431 was leading, got scraped pretty good, apparently it spun the truck, 2684 has significant damage to the rear of the long hood of the unit. Sure helped to have the safety cab in the lead today.

From wcax,com. News story and video on GMRC #263 vs log truck.
Some quick footage of damaged locos included.

https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Loggi ... 24241.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Both units will need sheet metal repairs,NTSB was called in,figure these 2 units will be on legal hold for awhile......

Wow, the ground was covered with white talcum powder! Oh wait, that's snow. Cameras on the train or the crossing?

Yes, camera on 431.

Backshop, 431 was not only on the road today, but leading BDRD back to Rutland. Sounds like GMTX 2684 may have hung up its dancing shoes for its current lessee.

So has GMTX recalled 2684 to their shop for repairs or scrapping?
Wonder if they will shrink wrap the long hood for the trip home?

NPWJ reportedly struck a farm vehicle, the crew is alright, but the farmer is not as lucky. The locomotive involved was reportedly the 307, and I would expect more reports to come out soon.