Freight Trains in New Orleans French Quarter

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing a CSX freight train passing between the French Quarter and the Mississippi river. The train had one engine and nearly 100 cars, mostly tankers and hoppers (also a few loaded wood chip cars). Questions come to mind. . .

Didn’t I read some years ago that trains had been prohibited from the Quarter because of the number of people there, and the possibility of a chemical leak?

Given the crescent shape of the city, why send trains through this area when it seems to be a round-about way of getting somewhere?

How could one engine pull so many cars?

Just wondering.

Thanks,
Mike

2

On level track one 4000+ HP six-axle (6 motor) diesel should easily pull 100 normal weight cars, expcially with freight gearing for maximum tractive effort. Insert grades (mountains) and you have a different story.

Indeed, two 1200 HP transfer switchers mu’d together frequently handle more than 100 cars in Chicago, and that is only 2400 Hp and four motors!

I understand there will either be a grade crossing or an underpass for the new “Desire” streetcar line where it crosses a freight track in the French Quarter, and the track is active.