For this thread, let’s think 1:1 and I’ll play with the info to scale to 1:87 in the century to come.
Anyway:
You are an operaing manager in the present, to get a forty car coal train to a powerplant, using two modernized former SD7s. (DPU capable, no remote, horsepower’s caught up) I’ll give you a hint, the two engines have been lifted from time and returned to PRR 8588 and 8589. Brownie points if you can name the location now. Also at your disposal is 1 GP10, also DPU, and does have a remote.
The catch:
there is a 3/4 mile downhill run at slightly less than 6% grade.
You have to get the empties back UP in the same day
Rules:
at least one engine has to be at the south (Downhill) end of the train at all times on the hill. That engine needs to be able to stop said train, or at least keep it from getting run-over or out of control. IE: GP10 on the front of all 40 cars, may not be the best idea, depending on the location of the SD7s
There is a 6 car passing track at the top of the hill.
A yard stands at the top of the hill that could be used to split the train, but both management above you and the powerplant would prefer to have as few trains as possible out of this 40 car set. From Mgmt’s standpoint, it’s fuel for running the hill many times, and the Powerplant sees it as a nusience to have to take 6 hrs to dump, because someone has to run back and get another train.
The town on the hill says you can’t leave parts of the train there for long periods of time.
If you want to distribute, we can put rotaries facing into the train for those engines.
The powerplant does have a holding track long enough for the train in addition to the one going to the d
If I were a present operating manager for the real railroad delivering the coal, this is what I would say:
I would tell the customer that unless they can handle at least 110 car unit train we won’t write a contract.
I would tell the cusomer that unless they figure out a way to avoid the 6% grade they won’t get a unit train contract.
The train would use SD70AC or C44AC engines because its a unit train. The contract will include the usage and fuel rate allowance to use the railroad’s engines on whatever line they will have to build to the power plant to avoid the 6% grade. If you want to play with your SD7’s you don’t get a unit train rate, you can pay single car shipment, tariff rates (if you can find somebody to load non-unit trains of coal).
You may “dispose” of the GP10 at your discretion.
(all of the above type of discussions have happened between real power plants and real railroads)
If you want to be a modeler (not a real manager) you can play Madison Hill all day long with whatever scenario you want to make up.
your right)
2)the plant Did use the hill, though for what purpose don’t know, I preume equipment. The IPL plant in INdy handles trains in 50-75 cars typically, but they take 2-4 of those a week. the rest is handled by Truck, to keep it competitive and sometimesthat becomes a lot of trucks. The Madison poweplant has Barge already, this was to be in Universe 467 or what have ya, a competitive measure, and a way to keep the incline open for parts delivery to them or the water plant nearby. Only needed in a blue moon, but it’se easier when they do need it than trying to get it down Highway 56. I cut it to 40 because of the barge company, that CMPA would be in the truck position that IPL has. SO, there’s the Protype background, but I wanted the first post to be free of reality, and more open-minded.
WHy the discriminaory rate aginst non Gen 3 locos, or what’s a 70 got that others don’t? Does the 70 still outdo the 50s, or all the “modern-ish” geeps? (ANd yes, I’m a nut for heritage engines)
I may have to, Not sure what to 'bash from.
ALong that vein then, after the above learning is discussed, what’s still the best way to move heavy coal on steep grades? Cause I know other sites have steep, hough shorter grades.
Because its a unit train. You are using your engines on just the hill. I can’t keep your engines on the train and run it back to the mine. So that means I, as the class 1 railroad, have to put my engines on the train, haul it to the hill, then take my engines off the train. So now I have to find something to do with those engines while they wait for you to shuttle the coal back and forth. Then I have to pay to get the engines back to the train to pull the empty. So I, as the class 1, have to pay for engines to be available even when you aren’t using them. It is costing me real money, and forcing me to park my brand new engines I bought to protect your trains for the 500-1500 mile road haul so you can use your engines for a 10 mile trip.
Now if you want to build me three 150 car sidings at the junction so I can park a load, you can park an empty and I can still run around the train without fouling the main track, and want to buy or lease an extra set of equipment so you always have an empty ready to go when the load gets there so I get to full utilize my $6 million worth of engines I’ll put on the train for my road haul, then we can talk.
