I have seen a great increase lately of helper engines on the back of coal trains coming out of oak creek but most times I wont see it until it gets. Up to west allis when there is about 1/2 percent to a 1 percent grade and I can imange how heavy coal trains can be. One other question is that I would see a coal train sitting on a siding on the North side of Milwaukee I was wondering where do they go after leaving that spot and also how often does.The power plant get a deliver of coal… [#offtopic][banghead][4:-)][4:-)][:D]
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Probobly whenever there are less powerful locos like an SD40-2. Whenever an engine like that is used and no powerful engines like an SD90-MAC are present helpers are used then They are used less when an engine like an SD70-MAC or a AC4400CW is used
A lot of those “helper” engines are DPU’s, distributed power units. Basically a remote controlled locomotive. They stay on the train all the way from the mines in Wyoming to the power plant and back. On the UP they are all AC locomotives, either GE C44AC’s or EMD SD90-43AC’s.
Dave H.
Here in SW Idaho, they are still running manned helpers on Reverse hill, they don’t DP trains till Nampa. Those are the controlling remotes, but there is often a mix of power. I have noticed most remotes are now AC-44CTE’s…
Helpers are 2 motor sets of SD-40’s
You would be hard pressed to see trains running in either direction on cresson mountain here in Pa without helpers. Pushing up hill so the train doesnt stall, and braking the rear going down hill to keep things under speed.
Your sitting trains on the north side of Milwaukee are probably going to or from the Alliant Energy plant in Sheboygan. Are the cars lettered EDGX, and do they have blue rotary-coupler ends?
Helpers are in constant use between Altoona and Johnstown, Pa. and as far West as Pittsburgh on the former Pennsy Mainline. Westbound helpers shove upgrade out of Altoona and cut off at the Summit to head back down to Altoona, or else remain on the rear of the train for dynamic braking to Conemaugh, near Johnstown…and sometimes as far West as Wilmerding, or Pittsburgh… Usually, at least 6 or 7 helper sets are on duty at any given time, all former Conrail SD40-2’s. The helper pool usually has somewhere around 14 pair allocated, so that 7 pair are in use, the other pair are staged in Altoona or Cresson if needed… Helpers that shove all the way from Altoona to Johnstown will usually wait in Conemaugh for another Eastbound shove. Depending on traffic, some sets may be running back and forth constantly pushing Westbounders and then Eastbounders…Helpers in this area often couple ahead of trains that have problems with road engines, such as dynamics or a shutdown engine. Road crews short on time will often get head end helpers to get the train to a recrew point, usually within the normal helper route. Heavy trains , such as Eastbound Coaldrags often get two pair of helpers, one on the head and another on the rear, or 2 pair on the rear. Westbound gondola trains loaded with heavy steel slabs will often get two pair on the rear, known as a ‘4 banger’. When traffic is light, unneeded sets are usually tied down at Rose in Altoona, or in Conemaugh. The helpers are fueled and receive light service in Cresson, heavier repairs are done at the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona. Dave Williams @ nsaltoonajohnstown@yahoogroups.com