I live near Akron Ohio and often see our CSX (B&O) local pulling 5 to 20 cars but always with 2 locomotives. Why 2? Are both operating? Isn’t a train that size way over-powered by using more than 1 unit? Is it greener to use 2?
Not knowing CSX’s policy regarding locomotive operation, it’s hard to say precisely what’s going on here, but I’ll throw out the following.
The two locomotives are most likely facing in opposite directions, thus assuring that the engineer has a view out of the front in both directions along his train’s route. With the reductions in crew sizes over the years, it may make sense for the engineer to switch ends so that he has a view of his crewmember on the ground while they’re spotting certain industries, depending on clearances, curvature, etc. There’s nobody left to pass signals from the opposite side of the cab.
Locomotive failure is another possibility–if one unit goes down, you hopefully still have the other one to bring the train in. It’s possible that the second unit is off-line, or perhaps even shut down, during normal operations.
I’m kind of relieved to hear about them using more than one unit on their trains. Chessie, and later CSX, were known at times for dispatching their trains with only one unit and a prayer. And I’m not talking about locals here, either.
Most likely you are seeing a Mother-Slug pair…the Mother is a powered locomotive, normally a GP38 or GP40, it is coupled to a Road Slug which may have started life as at GP30 or GP38…it has had it’s engine removed and replaced with concrete ballast. It is connected to the mother both with air, electircs and fuel lines. At low speeds the DC diesel electric generates more electrical power than the tracion motors of a single 4 axle engine can use…the slug taps into this excess elctrical power and distributes it to the 4 traction motors on the slug. The mother-slug combo is rated to have the pulling power of 2 GP40 up to 25 MPH. Above 25 MPH the mothers generator doesn’t develop enough electrical power to feed both the monther and slug, electrical controls stop feeding electrical power to the slug above 25 MPH and the train will move at a speed governed by the the power of the mother only. The cab and controls on both the mother and slug eliminate the need for turning the power for the return trip.
The CSX local out here in NW Indiana operates the same with a power unit and a slug, often with a very small train. It is sort of weird to see two units with one empty flatcar…
Thanks for the explanation BALTACD for the mechanical explanation.
ed
Are they 4 axle or 6 axle locomotives?
I agree with this explanation that Carl posted. The KCS follows the same practice with the local switch run that works the industries on the south side of Shreveport. Two 4-wheel GP’s facing in opposite directions only one of which is normally working. This combo has the advantage of never having to be turned regardless of whether they are working out of or back to Deramus yard.
Mark
Here in California, UP usually runs 2-3 smaller locomotives on locals, usually with at least two locomotives facing in opposite directions. UP’s Santa Cruz Local from Watsonville, CA out to the gravel plant at Davenport, CA is run with 3 GP40-2’s, with one facing the opposite direction.
Thanks, Ed and ACD, for reminding me about the road slugs. Another valid answer, and probably greener than two regular locomotives, no matter what.
Here in Milwaukee Wi I see local’s with two engines pulling a small train anywhere from 3 cars to 25 cars and caboose but when ever. I see the local on the Cp which usually runs at night they use only one engine. Along with Up I have seen them using one engine on some of there local jobs other times I’ll see two one could be a UP engine and the other could be. A leased unit that the railroad has leased out for something or another. But most times I see local trains running down the tracks with two engines one car and a caboose.