Hello, I am wondering if railroads still do helper operations. I have not been able to find information on modern helper operations so i am thinking they don’t do it any more. Am I correct?
DPU operation has generally replaced the use of helpers in most operations. DPU offers more control over the train and less possibility of drawbar separations even outside of helper districts.
I’m sure there must still be some use of helpers, somewhere. The last helper operation I’m familiar with was Tennessee Pass on the Rio Grande, where helpers were required of virtually every train crossing it. The last revenue across it was in 1997 and it’s been gathering dust most of the time since, except for Royal Gorge tourist ops on the east end and car storage on the west end.
a couple of years ago, when i was out in western nebraska, the Q was still using helpers on crawford hill.
charlie
Thank you for the information.[:D]
CSX Sandpatch grade in Maryland and Altoona to Galitzen aroundHorseshoe curve on NS.
CN uses helpers from time to time in both directions out of Superior WI. This includes manned helpers, DPU units, and extra locomotives that make the whole trip but are shut down when not needed to save fuel.
They also use a device called Helperlink on manned helpers that controls the trainline on the pushing locomotive from the Fred on the train being helped. This allows the helper to be cut off on the fly without disturbing the trainline.
Add BNSF in the Marias Pass in northern Montana as well, mostly for eastbound trains. Westward grain and coal trains have DPUs, but sometimes manifest and intermodal trains need a little helping hand.
John
NS still uses manned helpers on the Pittsburgh Line everyday. They have rebuilt SD50’s into upgraded SD40-2’s intentially for helper service. There are 7 sets of helpers working between Pitcairn,(east of Pittsburgh) and Conpit Jct. and also 7 or 8 sets working between Johnstown, Gallitzin, and Altoona. Not only are they used to shove trains uphill, it is also a common practice to use helpers on heavy downhill trains to assist with braking. I have even seen where helpers were added to 24Z during the time it spent setting off cars at the Trailvan terminal at Pitcairn.When they were ready to go, the helpers were ready to shove the routinely heavy stacks east.
MRL (Montana Rail Link) has used them for years and still does, both on Bozeman Pass (between Bozeman and Livingston), and on Mullan Pass just West of Helena. Helpers in the 2000 era were still multi-colored SD45 lashups (many units not yet repainted to MRL blue). Today, they use mostly ACE’s, but these are developing engine problems and the 45’s are being used once again while the newer ones are overhauled.
BNSF operates through the old NP line as well on both passes, with a commercial relationship to MRL. I’ve seen MRL supply helper sets to BNSF (at a cost), but lately, BNSF has adopted the digital controlled units on trailing end of almost all trains.
Dick Chaffer / Bozeman