Chasing the ARBX/Former Coe Rail 9/6/10

[conrailmike]

Met up with another local railfan on Labor Day, we had heard that ARBX was going to be running. We parked at Ladd Rd. and followed them to Wixom. They were out to deliver a car to APT (American Plastic Toys) and then head to Wixom to set out two cars for the CSX local to pick up. ARBX just recently bought Coe Rail as they filed bankruptcy. This line used to be part of the GTW line that went to Jackson, MI way back in the day.

The track looks worse every time I see it. Looking east towards Walled Lake.


Looking west toward Wixom.


Crossing Ladd Rd.


The backside of APT. Looks like there were about 7 cars back there, not including the one they delivered.


Making the delivery. ARBX 1512 is a former GTW switcher.


Benstein Rd. Now on to Wixom.


Sad to see that signal just rusting away. Track ends not too far beyond the signal, track on the right is connection to the CSX.


With all the weeds growing you can barely see the rails.


Rounding the bend in Wixom


Conductor had to jump off and walk up ahead to see if CSX left any cars to pick up.


Finishing up in Wixom. the company on the left with all the covered hoppers is Korex and they make soaps.


Work is done and now heading back to Walled Lake with light power.


Had to head home after that, didn't have time to follow him back to Walled Lake. Thanks for looking

[railroader9731]

Awsome shots

[Tom]

Cool shots, thanks for sharing those. Is the old Milwaukee Road Tap car still around there somewhere? A good friend of mine used to manage Coe Rail before Larry Coe ripped him off. He got an Alco S1 running and repainted to Coe-Rail and it was a GORGEOUS locomotive, too bad Coe let it rot away after he left.

[conrailmike]

I'm not exactly sure what's left over there in Walled Lake. I parked in the Big Boy lot next to it earlier that morning but all I could see was part of the dinner train that's left. IIRC, most of the equipment is for sale now including the ARBX switcher. Some of those passenger cars have been sold I think. They want $90,000 for the switcher: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/gtw_sw1200_1512.htm">http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/gtw_sw1200_1512.htm</a><!-- m -->

[Tom]

If they sell the switcher, what will they use for power?

[conrailmike]

I have no idea.

[Brakie]

There it is the great undec railroad which we have heard so much about over the years!

Thanks for sharing your short line adventure.

[Russ Bellinis]

If they sell the switcher, what will they use for power?

It may be that ARBX has power units elsewhere in the country that is in better shape than the Coe stuff, or it may be that they are going to close down and abandon the line and bought it for scrap value. By the looks of those weeds, they can't really have a lot of traffic.

[conrailmike]

I believe they only have two customers on the line now, maybe just one. I know part of the east end of the line was abandoned just as Coe was filing bankruptcy.

[FCIN]

Here are a few links that I found that may explain what is happening on the former Coe Rail line - look's like she's a gonner!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coe_Rail,_Inc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Air-Line_Railway
http://detroit.dbusinessnews.com/viewnew...6265r1.xml

Another short line bites the dust!! Ugh!!!

[conrailmike]

Coe Rail hasn't been the owner for awhile now, how long Railmark keeps it will be interesting. American Plastic Toys gets quite a few cars on their spur and I forget how many they get a year. I can tell you that they have been doing some track maintenance here and there. I'm not sure if they've managed to sell off the rest of the dinner train yet or not. I believe some or all of the cars are listed on Ozark Mountain Railcar.

Here's the F unit that used to haul the dinner train: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/ble_f7_725.htm">http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/ble_f7_725.htm</a><!-- m -->

[conrailmike]

I can say for sure that one of the F units on the property has now been cut up and scrapped, not sure which one though.

EDIT: The 416 is now gone -