It struck me yesterday as I was sitting in my car at a crosssing watching the train go by… The CN consist had a variety of motive power from other roads (i.e. UP, BNSF). How do railroads “borrow” diesels from other railroads? Is there some sort of “pool” that engines are allocated to for this purpose? Any engineers (or others in the know) that can shed some light on this for me?
Sometimes power “runs through” from a connection railroad. Many times by agreement - but not always - sometimes they’ll run the foreign power further into their network than the agreement called for, when they’re short of power at the point the foreign power should be turned back. The railroads also keep account of HP-hrs with other roads. If the balance gets too far out, a RR will allow some of their locos to “free run” on the other road until the account is balanced.
Hey, Don — Good job on that answer. That’s the shortest and easiest to understand explanation of that subject I’ve seen in a long time.
Thanks.
I coulda been more winded, but I was pressed for time[;)]
oltmannd (Don),
Thank you so much for your concise and knowledgable answer! [^] Sure clears up that question for me.
George