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This discussion list is dedicated to the Indiana & Ohio Rail System and its operations, locomotives, rolling stock, etc. Also feel free to discuss modeling the I&O. The Indiana & Ohio Rail System is a regional freight railroad serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Please try to keep discussion limited to the I&O and its nearby subsidiaries (CIND, CERA, WSRY) and sister roads (TP&W, ISRR), but some posts about I&O's other RailAmerica sister roads are OK. This list is in no way affiliated with the Indiana & Ohio Rail System, its subsidiaries, or its parent company RailAmerica Inc.

IORY GP40-1 #6740, the last I&O GP40 not in the RailAmerica/RailTex number series, has been renumbered and is now IORY #4050. The IORY #4050 was renumbered differently that the other GP40's. Instead of simply replacing the old number below the IORY reporting marks with the new number, both the reporting marks and the number were replaced with a new, larger number and small IORY reporting mark below the number.

CIND #2252 was reported to be parked in the deadline at McCollugh about a month ago, but apparently it has now been repaired and is back in service. Power at Valley Jct. right now is the aformentioned CIND #2252, IORY #87, and IORY #53. The last non-645 power was supposed to be gone by the new year, but it's looking like it may hang on a little longer. RailAmerica has sold off one of I&O's former RailTex sister roads, the Pittsburgh Industrial Railroad (PIR) to Ohio Central System. The new name for the operation is the Pittsburgh & Ohio Central. The I&O is not the only RA road dumping the non-645 power. I&O's sister & neighbor Toledo Peoria & Western has quickly replaced their aging GP20's in various TP&W schemes & patchwork with GP38's & GP40's in RailAmerica's family colors. Only 4 GP20's remain in service. New power includes 2 ex-Chicago Central GP38's (rebuilt), 1 ex-CSX GP40, 1 ex-CORP GP38 still in CORP red/gray with TP&W reporting marks, 4 ex-CN GP40-2LW's (Widecab GP40-2's), and 1 ex-NREX (nee-SP) GP40X, all in RA colors with TP&W lettering. The CBNS is definatly getting those SD45's to replace the ex-BN/IORY GP50's.

The last of the non-645 power is scheduled to be retired by 12/31/00. This includes GP7 #53, GP9 #61, and all of the GP30's & GP30M's (IORY 84, 85, 87, and CIND 2252). Not sure about IORY 251 and 252. GP18 #71 is in the deadline at McCollugh due to a main generator failure, which probably means the end of the line for 71. I&O 84 and 87 are supposedly up for sale, but are still in service.

Two more ex-UP non-dynamic brake GP40's are reported at McCollugh, still in their old UP/WP numbers. No IORY numbers as of yet.

The Greenfield Local (GREN-Date) is working second trick because of the grain season. The crew comes on duty at 1600. They've been heard on the scanner departing Midland City at 11:00pm to return to Leesburg after finishing their days' (or, in this case, nights') work. This allows the grain elevators to load the grain cars in the morning, then I&O picks them up at night. Then they start fresh in the morning.

The grain season continues. I&O's Greenfield Sub, in the heart of grain country, is chock full of grain hoppers. Cargill's elevator in East Monroe has 17 cars in it's siding, and 9 more cars are in New Vienna, and there is probably even more in the old passing siding at Highland. CSX has also been dropping off lots of grain cars for I&O at Midland City as well.

Both the Indiana & Ohio and the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad received the American Short Line and Regional Railroads Association's (ASLRRA) 2000 Marketing Award. See RailAmerica, Inc. News Releases page for more details.

With the grain shipping season kicking in, Springfield Yard is full of hoppers. With the increased movement of cars, the 2nd shift 306 Springfield local has been operating as well.

Tri-State Forest Products (former Hager Dist.) will move from IORY Springfield Yard to the former Ohio Warehouse Bldg. on Sheridan Ave. in the next few months as this also has a IORY spur on the ex-DT&I North main track. The reason for the move was cramped space as business has increased for lumber distribution. They have used the former DT&I steam/car shop for some of there storage and is uncertain if IORY will re-lease the building. The building lease was transfered from CN/GTW to IORY during the 1997 sale.

A new Bulk transloading facility station was installed in the Warder St. yard this past summer for plastic pellets and other products.

The IORY has been running the following trains on the DT&I sub. as of late:

   258  Battle Creek Mi. to Cincinnati Oh.(csx)- Daily
   413  Cincinnati Oh.(csx) to Pontiac Mi.- Daily
   265  Toronto On. to Cincinnati Oh.(ns)- Daily
   205  Cincinnati Oh. to Lima Oh.- Daily

Other trains are as required.

Indiana & Ohio Railway will be running a buisness special on Friday, October 6th. The train is scheduled to depart from Urbana at 10:00A.M, the train will travel south through Springfield, and South Charleston, with a destination of Washington C.H. Scheduled return to Urbana is 3:00 PM.

The six SD45's (SD45-2's?), that the IORY's RailAmerica sister road Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia are to get to replace the ex-BN GP50's, are being rebuilt in Chicago, and they are due to arrive on the CBNS in mid-October. Rumor has it that RailAmerica has acquired more than just the six designated for the CBNS. RailAmerica apparently acquired 10 SD45's/SD45-2's from HATX. The units had been on lease to TFM, Kansas City Southern's Mexican subsidiary. After being returned to HATX they were leased to CSX. Supposedly CBNS will get 6, and IORY will get the other 4 to replace the GP50's. All 10 GP50's would then be sent to the Toledo, Peoria & Western to finally retire their GP20's. Since they are being rebuilt, the SD45's/SD45-2's are likely to be repainted in the RailAmerica family red/silver/blue scheme, the first such painted units on the CBNS and the IORY.

Highball Graphics Decals now offers their RailAmerica Decals for all North American RailAmerica Roads in HO with exception to those roads covered by their other RailAmerica decal sets. Decal set L-135.

For those interested in modeling the IORY's sister road, the Indiana Southern Railroad, Microscale offers a set in both HO and N scale for the ISRR's red/gold scheme. Stock #'s are MC-4127 and 60-4127 for HO and N scale respectivly.

The IORY now has #6740, #53, and CIND #2252 assigned to Valley Jct.

The CERA #3846 (Ex-SP #3846) was sent to the Louisville & Indiana Railroad and has now been scrapped.

For those interested in modeling the Indiana & Ohio, After Hours Graphics offers decals in both HO and N scale. IORY White/Red scheme is AHG-1-H (HO) or AHG-1-N (N) @ $3.95 each. IORY Red/Orange scheme is AHG-16-H (HO) or AHG-16-N (N) @ $5.50 each. Contact [email protected]

Microscale produces a Central Oregon & Pacific decal set which is suitable for IORY units wearing the RailTex Gray/Red in both HO and N scale. The HO scale set is stock #MC-4153 and the N scale set is stock #60-4153.

Although not yet used on IORY locomotives, decals for the I&O's parent company's, RailAmerica, paint scheme are available from Highball Graphics Decals in both HO and N scale. HO Set Numbers are: L-127 Minnesota Railroads and L-128 New England Central Railroad. N Scale Set Number is: LN-128 New England Central Railroad.

The Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia (CBNS) is going to replace it's 6 ex-I&O GP50's with 6 rebuilt SD45's, almost certainly to be in the RailAerica scheme. No word on where the GP50's will be sent.

The CORP 5153 has been renumbered and now is 3838. The CORP 3838 is currently operating on the Greenfield Subdivison, which replaces the IORY 81. IORY 81 is parked in the CSX yard at Midland City, waiting to be delivered back to Cincinnati by a CSX westbound. Should be back in Cincinnati within the next few days.

Traffic has been slow on the IORY, trains have been very small as of late. The last two train #265's have been around 15 to 30 cars.

IORY 251 is now out of the shop.

IORY 251 and 252 have been sent north via the Central of Indiana Sub to the former Central of Indianapolis trackage around the area of Kokomo-Marion, Indiana. Prior to this, power has been 2 GP30's and 1 GP9 (WSRY #1754), in addition to these there is a GP30 used for parts.

Rumor has it that because of RailAmerica ownership of the Indiana & Ohio and the Toledo Peoria & Western, which connects with the former CERA at Logansport, IN, operations of the Ex-CERA may possibly be turned over the the TP&W allowing the I&O to concentrate on the Cincinnati-Detroit and Cincinnat-Indianapolis Routes (via Ex-CIND).

IORY SD40-2's 4084 and 4085 have entered service, running seperately, not as a pair.

Ex-CIND 2253 has been working the transfer jobs in Cincinnati lately.

IORY 251 is in the shop at McCullough.

IORY 6708 has been renumbered and is now 4032.

ISRR 4038 and 4040 have been returned to the Indiana Southern.

MNA 4011 is now on the IORY, it is an GP40 in Ex-Union Pacific Gray/Yellow.

Rumor has it that RailAmerica may be intested in acquiring the Ex-B&O main from Cincinnati to St. Louis to add to the Indiana & Ohio Rail System map.

The two new SD40-2's, 4084 and 4085, have not been put into service yet due to contaminated engine lube oil. The I&O mechanical department is waiting on test results before preforming any repairs.

The new fueling facility in Lima is now online and operational. Several trains, in the past two weeks, have already used the new facility to re-fuel.

The IORY took delivery of 2 more ex-CP SD40-2's on the 6th. They are painted in the RailTex red/grey and numbered 4084 and 4085. The 4084 and 4085 were dead in tow on the 260 and are expected to be in service by next week.

Trip One - Springfield to Lima and Return.

Saturday June 10, and Sunday June 11, 2000.

Depart Springfield 9AM from Snyder Park, will return at approximately 5PM. Layover will be at Lincoln Park in Lima, where Lunch will be served.

Trip Two - Lima to Springfield and Return.

Saturday June 24, and Sunday June 25, 2000.

Depart Lima 9AM from Grove Street (Lincoln Park), will return at approximately 5PM. Layover will be at Snyder Park in Springfield, where Lunch will be served.

Ticket prices are $55.00 Adult, and $40.00 Child. Box lunches are also available for $7.50 each, including drink.

For more information contact:

WCO Model Railroad Club
900 Chestnut Ave
Sidney, OH  45365
937.492.1660

email: [email protected]

IORY GP30M #86 has been reported as being repaired and returned to service. It was spotted, today, idling in front of the shop at McCoullugh Yard.

On February 4th, RailAmerica, Inc. announced that it had finalized its $325 million aquisition of RailTex, Inc.

Indiana Southern GP40 4038 is now on the IORY.

3803, 3804, 3807 and 3864 have been transferred to the CORP.

The I&O filed for and received excepted track status for the Lebanon branch last month. As a result no revenue passenger trains can be operated over the branch.

The following is from the Cincinnati Enquirer, Feb 16,00:

Track condition stops the train Scenic railway waits for funds

 BY CINDI ANDREWS The Cincinnati Enquirer
 LEBANON - Scenic train tours that draw some 35,000 
 visitors a year to Lebanon can't resume until the city 
 repairs the 4 miles of tracks it owns.
 
 Federal authorities have informed the city that the 
 tracks used by Turtle Creek Valley Railway are unsafe 
 for passenger traffic, city officials said Tuesday. 
 They are scrambling to find the money needed to 
 replace old railroad ties. Repairs will cost $250,000, 
 Councilman James Reinhard estimated Tuesday. But 
 politicians and residents alike say the attraction is 
 a key to bringing visitors to the antique shops and 
 restaurants of Lebanon's historic downtown.
 
 "It's a vital part of the economy of our community," 
 said Councilman Ron Pandorf.
 
 "The train brought people to town.... I'd hope we'd 
 find a way to bring it back," said Joan Townsend, 
 owner of Oh Suzanna.
 
 Oh Suzanna and other shops on Broadway are a short 
 walk from the train station, a replica of 18th-century 
 stations. The railway's 90-minute tours take 
 passengers along 7 miles of tracks through the Warren 
 County countryside from April to November.
 
 Lebanon has applied for a grant but doesn't expect to 
 find out if it will get the money until late March, 
 said Tom McOwen, owner of Turtle Creek Valley Railway.
 That means the tours probably won't start on time in 
 April even if the city gets the grant. In the 
 meantime, Mr. McOwen said, he might run some special 
 tours in Mason or near Traders World, the flea market 
 at Interstate 75 and Ohio 63.
 
 If the grant doesn't come through, it will be up to 
 the city to find the repair money.
 
 The city knew in early 1999 that repairs would be 
 needed, and Councilmen Reinhard and Joe McKenzie are 
 frustrated that the issue was left to the last minute.
 "What are they waiting for?" Mr. Reinhard said.
 But Mr. Pandorf said City Manager James Patrick 
 inherited the problem from the previous 
 administration.
 
 Mr. Patrick, the city planning director and the city 
 attorney did not return calls Tuesday seeking, 
 comment.

About two weeks ago, the IORY received ex CPR SD-40s 4082 and 4083. They are painted in the standard Rail-Tex Grey/Red. Since being put into service they have been operating as a pair on all road trains. The IORY also is leasing four CN wide cab GP40-2LWs 9421, 9424, 9531, and 9624 .

The IORY has been seeing quite a bit of CN run-through power as of late, mostly CN SD75's have been reported. Indiana Southern units have also been reported on the IORY.

IORY 53 is currently on the Oasis Job, and IORY 71 is in Brookville, IN. CIND 3864 and CIND 2251 are the regular transfer power in Cincinnati, OH. IORY 84 and CIND 2253 are reported to be currently used on the Blue Ash Job.

The IORY has added a new train, #270, which is dedicated to Ford Motor Company multilevel autoracks. Train #270 is the southbound counterpart to northbound train #415, which runs the empty multilevels back to Flat Rock, MI. Both are run as required. The IORY receives the multilevels at Flat Rock, MI which orignate from Dearborn, MI.

Trains are taking 2-3 days to get from end to end, as well as, train lengths are increasing. It appears that the NS is starting to run more of their trains over the Indiana & Ohio Railway. It has been reported that tonight the NS is running a loaded coke train north with 6 engines and 12,000 tons, 115 cars.

Foreign power was seen on yesterday's train 869 which was run with Southern, GP59, #4610 in green/gold/white.

The IORY has received two new engines, CORP #4020 and CORP #4024. These are supposedly the first of about 6 locomotives to come in the near future.

Today, RailTex, Inc., the parent company of the Indiana & Ohio Rail System, announced that RailAmerica, Inc. will aquire RailTex. For the full story take a look at the news release reported by PR Newswire.

Indiana & Ohio Rail System has once again changed its train symbols, only the local train symbols have been modified. Apparently RailTex officials were confused with the numbers, since NS and CSXT use some of the same numbers, with CSXT prefixing IORY trains using Z. NS also had trains symboled with the same numbers, which could be an area of confusion. (ie. Springfield and Mason Locals) Included with the new symbols PSGRA and WRKTA have been added for passenger excursions, and work trains repspectively. (See the Scheduled Trains page for the updated symbols)

Trains 262 and 263 are running from Flat Rock again. The 210 and 211 symbols that had replaced these CN symbols are no longer being used.

On Thursday, August 12th, a track geometry train from CN ran on the DT&I from Flat Rock to CP188 and return, it turned on the wye at Springfield.

On Friday, July 30th, IORY #84 had a major derailment on the Mason line. The #84 was running engine light south from the engine house approaching the Mason-Montgomery Rd. Overpass when it ran over a newly installed derail for the Mason-Montgomery Rd. bridge replacement project. Aparently the north truck was 6' above the rails. The #84, remarkably, only suffered some minor damage to the traction motor gear pans, and some pilot and step damage, the #84 should be back in service soon.

IORY #252 suffered step damage, on conductors side short hood end, after colliding with a pickup truck at Tremont City Rd (Glen Echo) on Saturday July 31, 1999. The driver of the pickup was not injured, but the truck was severely damaged. The out of service IORY #252 was picked up at Tremont and taken south on today's train #260.

The Springfield Local is now using IORY #3105 as of August 2nd.

Foreign power on the I&O, today's train #260 had DRGW SD40T-2 #5403 on the point followed by UP SD40-2 #3587.

IORY #252 has been working the Springfield Job for the past few days. The Springfield second shift has been terminated effective July 22nd.

The IORY has been running thru a southbound NS train symboled #869 a few times a week, the #869 is an empty coke train with a final destination of Weller, WV.

IORY #252 is now on the Oasis Job. IORY #84 has replaced #252 as the regular Mason engine. The Mason is still being run out of the Mason engine house for the most part, with an occasional run out of McCullough when needed.

CERA #3846, ex-SP #3846, a phase III high short hood GP9E in kodachrome paint showed up on the DT&I Subdivision today on southbound train #260 along with IORY #4033 on the point, and IORY #3105 in position 3. The #3846 is reported to be in pretty poor condition, and does look it. It usually is used as a backup engine for McCullough yard and the CIND.

IORY Locomotives are being renumbered to conform with the standard numbering procedure used by Railtex. The GP40's will be numbered in the 4000 series, the GP50's in the 5000 series, and so on. Currently only two locomotives have been renumbered, IORY #4033 (ex-IORY #6742) and IORY #4034 (ex-IORY #6755). Rumor has it that the GP30's, GP9's, and GP7's will not be renumbered, as the IORY is attempting to trade these units for GP38's or GP40's.

Effective June 7, 1999 the I&O started using numeric identification for all trains, see the Scheduled Trains page for complete details.

Effective June 4, 1999 all NS interchange will take place at Sharon Yard. The Mason Job is also operating out of McCullough yard effective June 4, 1999. The Mason Job will leave McCullough Yard with whatever cars are on hand, including any NS interchange to be dropped off at Sharon, and the same is to take place upon its return. This should free up much needed trackage in McCullough Yard.

With the pending start-up of the CSX-NS take-over of Conrail, the I&O has made the following changes in the Cincinnati based local jobs. These are effective Tuesday, June 1. The 3 Cincinnati jobs are now called Roustabouts.

The Oasis/Roustabout will now work Mon.-Sat. starting at 0600 at McCullough Yard.

The Mason/Roustabout will now work Mon.-Sat. starting at 0900 at Mason on M-W-F, and at McCullough on T-Th-S.

The Blueash/Roustabout will now work Sun.-Fri. starting at 1201 at McCullough Yard.

The Mason engine house with engine #252 will be kept open for the time being, with the crew driving up there from McCullough Yard M-W-F. Once the I&O sees how the traffic and interchange patterns flow, that sometime after the first of June, a test train will be run out of McCullough Yard to Mason to "test the waters." If all goes well, then the Mason Shop will be closed, and the Job run out of McCullough Yard. Suburban Oil in Mason (which is adjacent to the engine house) has said that they have been talking to the I&O about leasing the engine house for unloading tank cars of oil. (They need a heated building to unload from in the winter.)

The DT&I subdivision's track speed is down to 40MPH between Sprinfield, OH and Diann, MI, with many 25MPH slow orders in force.

GTW power, once again on the IORY. Tonight's northbound #413 had IORY #3075, #3807, GTW #5861 (ex-Rock Island GP38-2 #4379) and GTW #6401 (ex-DT&I GP40 #401), which is currently in the CN Operation Lifesaver paint scheme. The GTW locomotives were heard southbound on last night's train #258.

Ex-DT&I Caboose #123 is back in Springfield. On the afternoon of May 17th the Springfield Job was spotted having the caboose at the end of their train, north of Maitland on the Urbana Subdivision.

On May 5, the Mason Job received CIND caboose #1111, ex-N&W #518571, the #1111 is equipped with a 12V generator, back-up lights, markers, and all interior lights work, as well as, heat and stove. CIND #1111 was put right to use, upon arrival, riding the point of a shoving move from downtown Mason to International Paper. Expect to see the #1111 on the shove move from Mason to International Paper, Western Homes back to Mason, and possibly on the Lebanon Branch.

Rumor has it that the Mason Job will be worked out of McCullough Yard starting on or about June 1. It is thought that the Mason Shop building will possibly be offered to the Turtle Creek Valley Railway, dismatled, or given to the City of Mason.

As a condition of the I&O dropping their objections to the NS/CSX/CR merger, the NS has granted the I&O operating rights on about 245 miles of trackage. See STB Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-No. 77) http://www.stb.dot.gov/

In STB Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-No. 77), IORY seeks:

(1) overhead trackage rights over CSXT between East Norwood, OH, and Washington Court House, OH, a distance of 65 miles, with the right to connect at Midland City with IORY's Greenfield branch;

(2) local trackage rights between Monroe, OH, and Middletown, OH, a distance of 5 miles, over the CRC line to be acquired by NSR (with the right to connect at Middletown with CSXT and IORY's existing trackage rights through Middletown over the CRC line between Springfield and Cincinnati);

(3) local trackage rights between Sidney, OH, and Quincy, OH, a distance of 10 miles, over the CRC line to be acquired by CSXT;

(4) local trackage rights between Sharronville, OH, and Columbus, OH, a distance of 125 miles,over the CRC line to be acquired by NSR;

(5) local trackage rights between Quincy, OH, and Marion, OH, a distance of 52 miles, over the CRC line to be acquired by CSXT;

(6) local trackage rights between Lima, OH, and Fort Wayne, IN, a distance of 59 miles, over the CRC line to be acquired by CSXT;

(7) local trackage rights over CRC's Erie track in Lima, OH; and

(8) local trackage rights between Quincy, OH, and Marysville, OH, over the CRC line to be acquired by CSXT.

June 12 and 13, 1999 - Round trip each day Lima, OH to Springfield , OH

June 26 and 27, 1999 - Round trip each day Springfield, OH to Washington Court House, OH

Seating is limited to approximately 150 seats each day! $49.00 per seat per day.

Potential consist will be two air conditioned coaches, 1 open window coach and a lounge with soft drinks and snacks available at additional cost.

Tentative schedule - 9:00 am departure , 5:00 pm return each day.

Box lunches will be available, maximum $6.00 each.

Checks and Money Orders ONLY !

Payable To: West Central Ohio Model Railroaders Inc., 900 Chestnut Street, Sidney, OH 45365

Contacts: Ted Desch 937-492-1660 / e-mail: [email protected]

Hotbox Detector #6 (MP 177.8) has been configured to indicate train speed, in addition to axel count.

The Mason and Blue Ash Jobs have been combined with the crew working Mason Monday, Wenesday, and Friday, and Blue Ash on Tuesday and Thursday. The regular Blue Ash crew now works the Roustabout on Tuesday and Thursday. The Roustabout has replaced the Interchange Job.

In locomotive news, the IORY 81 is out of the shop and was working the Roustabout on yesterday. IORY 251 blew its turbocharger on the 23rd, and is currently at McCullough Yard.

IORY trains #262, 263 are reported to be coming back, with trains ranging in size of 50 to 100 cars daily. It is unknown if train #211 will be kept once the #262 and #263 return. It is also expected that 7 to 10 more 413's a week will be run, with rumors of possible CSXT run through power. Train #205 will probably run every other day.

HLCX 3605, and 3615 are still on the dead line at McCullough Yard, along with CIND 1751, 1753, and IORY 6708. Currently, IORY 6742, 6793, 3103, 83, and 81 are in the shop at McCullough Yard.

A derailment occured recently in Cincinnati on the CIND involving the IORY 6603, and 3103, and 6 cars, 3 of the cars turned over. Also recently, the Oasis Job derailed its caboose at Oasis MP 0 on the Oasis Subdivision.

The interchange job has been terminated.

The I&O has recently started using alpha-numeric symbols widespread, changes were made to symbols for locals and CIND trains. The current format for train identification is a symbol-date format. The Indiana & Ohio Rail System symobls have been have been updated on the Scheduled Trains page.

The DT&I jordan spreader that resided at Ford Park was moved in mid-December to Omnisource, on the south side of Lima, where it was scrapped. This was done because the jordan spreader was no longer in working order. It had bad axles and wheels, and most of the hydraulics were shot. Click here for a photograph taken in July 1997.

The new Ann Arbor connection at Diann, MI officially opened on December 15th.

The Springfield Local has been running with IORY #81 and CIND #2253 for the past few days. The CIND #2253 is an Ex-NW GP30 with high short hood.

The HLCX #3615 and #3605 are still on the property at McCullough. It is not known when these units will be moved.

Trains #262/263 have been abolished by CN. Train #211 has been added to handle trafic, that is still arriving in Cincinnati for CN, that was previously handled by train #263. There is no I&O counterpart for train #262.

The new Ann Arbor connection was cut in today at Diann, MI. The first move over the connection should happen this weekend with a grain train from Riga, MI.

Traffic has been increasing on the I&O, 2 or 3 413's daily are expected for the next few months. Increased traffic is being handled by the 261's and the 263 is expected to be back running freight in the near future.

The IORY is getting some NS run-thru power occasionally, usually when the IORY does not have any power in Cincinnati. CSXT run-thru power is expected soon on trains 413 and 258. On Sunday October 25th, train 260 had NS #8081 (c30-7) and NS #8800 (c44-9).

Train 205 is no longer going to run daily, but usually runs 4 to 5 days a week, at any time.

The #6708 is out of service, and needs to be rebuilt.

Train 263 has been running rarely as of late, but it is expected, once the Conrail merger takes full effect, to run more frequently.

HLCX #3605 & #3615 are still in storage on the dead line at McCullough, they were supposed to go to CSX, but this apparently did not work out.

A note on paint schemes: The red and gray paint scheme is not a Railtex paint scheme, but rather, MN&A's paint scheme, it is also the "default" paint scheme at VMV in Paducah. Apparently if a railroad does not specify their paint scheme, VMV will paint with the red and gray scheme.

The CSXT has told the I&O that they can expect 2-3 413-type trains a day for the month. Train #205 will be going daily to handle the movement of pig iron, that is being unloaded by Normco, a barge unloader on the river in Cincinnati, which is destined for Delta. Volume from Normco should be somewhere around 8-12 cars daily.

With the extra trafic the I&O has been short on crews. Apparently the I&O is trying to get some more GP40-type engines if Railtex will send them. At times the 413s are being run with a single GP50. The #3802 has been moved to the CORP.

The employee special ran empty from Lima, OH this morning. It arrived at Tremont at approximately 1220. The train was stopped at the south switch, Tremont, and the locomotives were run-around on the siding and coupled to the power car, which was on the opposite end of the train. The train was then shoved back to Maitland, where passengers were waiting to board the train. After all were boarded the employee special got track warrent #69, Maitland to Ford Park, departing at approximately 1309.

Apparently the train was not turned when it arrived in Lima last night, it arrived today with the north star toward the head end of the train. Added to the consist, between the Pine Cavern and the Stuart Knott, was heavy weight passenger coach GBRY #4963.

Afternoon Update: The shipper special arrived back in Springfield this afternoon, passing Tremont at approximately 1420. The consist was as follows: IORY #6793, IORY #6763, power car (IORP #1376), tavern-lounge (#unknown), the Pine Cavern (Amtk #2984), the Stuart Knott (Ex-KCS #5891), the City of Norwood (#800640), the Vista Dome (Ex-NP #unknown), and the North Star. After the passengers had departed the train, it was then turned on the wye, and headed north to Lima, passing Maitland at 1555 and the MP 177.8 Hotbox Detector at 1621.

Morning Update: The shipper special deadheaded between Lima, OH for Springfield, OH this morning, levaing Lima at approximately 0620. Passengers boarded the train in Springfield at approximately 1000, the train departed at 1019, and was clear of MP 194 at 1042.

Afternoon Update: The business special went north today on the tail end of train #205, locomotives were #6793 and #6763. It departed Tremont at 1645 for Lima, OH. After setting off seven covered hoppers on the north end of the siding at Tremont, the train went north with six covered hoppers, the Pine Cavern, one unnamed passenger car (apparently the Stuart Knott), the City of Norwood, the Vista Dome, and the North Star.

Today, an Indiana & Ohio business special will deadhead from Cincinnati, OH to Lima, OH. The consist has been said to include: The North Star, Vista Dome, Pine Cavern, Stuart Knott, and LaPaz. At Lima the following cars are to be added to the consist: a tavern-lounge, and the power car. Specials will run on Thrusday, Friday, and Saturday, with the equipment returning to Cincinnati on Sunday. Thursday's train will leave from Lima and travel the north end of the DT&I Subdivision. On Friday the train will depart Springfield, OH (VFW at Leffel Ln) at 9AM and head north to Lima and return. Saturday will see an employee special running between Springfield and Lima.

IORY #87 is now back in service after having sufferd damage due to derailment. HLCX #3615's Lease is up and is on the dead line at McCullough along with two CIND locomotives, #3804 and #3605.

It is also known that trains 205-206 will be put into regular service sometime in the next month.

Trains #206 and #207 have been added to the IORY train schedule, due to increased car movements between Lima, OH and Cincinnati, OH. These trains run grain out of the Springfield cluster lines from Uniopolis, Mechanicsburg, South Charleston, Jeffersonville & West Liberty Urbana elevators.

The IORY has recently obtained NS grain interchange at Gest St. in Cincinnati, OH, in addition to the IORY's previous interchange with the CSX at Fayne.

A new GP38-3 has arrived on the IORY, it is Ex-LLPX #2501-CORP #3864. IORY #81 is now on the CIND. HATX #423 is no longer on the IORY, and is now on lease to the CSXT. See the IORY Locomotive Roster for the complete, up to date, listing of IORY locomotives.

A grade crossing accident occured last week, just north of tremont, involving train #261 and an 18-wheeler. Locomotives #6740 and #5153 suffered light damage.

The hot box detector at MP 102.7 has been removed from service, its parts will be used to service the other hot box detectors on the line.

The IORY will be running employee rail trips on September 7th and 19th. The September 7th trip will be on the Oasis Subdivision, from Norwood to the Boat House. The September 19th trip will be on the DT&I Subdivision, from Lima to Maitland and back. There will also be a shippers passenger train some time in September.

Railtex locomotives are supposidly being repainted so that all railroads under their control will have the same paint scheme. The paint scheme has been decided to be the dark red and gray scheme. (ie. CBNS GP38-3's)

An employee only rail trip, heading south out of Lima, has apparently been scheduled, exact dates and final destination are unknown at this time.

The 3800 series locomotives, currently on the IORY, are to be moved to the CORP. GP38-3 3806 left on the morning of July 3rd on train #205, along with, GP40 3083, which was being sent back to its leaser. Currently 3605, 81, and 84 are in storage in Cincinatti, OH until the GM strike is over. Also, 87 is in the shop this week, and will have a new cab installed, it is scheduled to be repainted in the next week or two.