I was headed home from the Worcester, MA main library, which, by the way has an exellent MRR section, and I came across a light CSX GP40-2 headed westbound on one of the main tracks, long hood first! It was definetly on one of the main lines, not on the P&W interchange track, I wonder what it was doing, it was going pretty fast, around maybe 30 mph, with the rear headlight on, and the front head and ditch lights on full.
Any ideas on why it was going that fast light engine? I thought maybe there was a mechanical failure on another train, or one having trouble on the hill in west Worcester or Auburn.
Not sure about running long hood forward but suspect that was simply a matter of convenience…likely going a relatively short distance and this did not warrant turning the unit. As for the speed, we see light engine movements here on the BNSF triple track “raceway” here rather frequently and mostly at speeds of 40 to 50 mph and at times more.
Once last year I saw two high-speed UP light-engine movements–they met each other at the crossing at which I was stopped. No doubt this was just the way to take crews between Proviso and West Chicago, but it was a surprise nonetheless.
I’m surprised at the ditch lights lit toward the rear, though. EDIT: Sorry–I misread the original post. No ditch lights toward the rear, just a dim headlight, as required.
Single lite units are limited to 30 MPH, due to the limited ability of crossing circuits to detect a single lite unit. Multiple lite units may and should run at track speed. If you’re not, someone is going to ask why.
When moving lite, both headlights must be on. Although, the rear light is usually set on dim.
…If light engine speed is the subject here, may I add one little point from our land of NS here in Muncie. Several months ago while approaching a crossing the lights started flashing and the gates of course came down…This was on road 500W meaning we’re 5 miles from center city…starting to get out in open country.
I had no thought of going around the gates but was I surprised when almost immediately coming into view was 2 NS engines, and I mean they were moving…Guessing 55 mph at least…This was on the Frankfort line west out of Muncie.
In general, the track is good…new CWR perhaps 10 years ago or so. Frieghts don’t usually run very fast but some perhaps 50 mph…But this is as fast as we’ve seen light engines running like this. Don’t remember if they were 4 or 6 axle units…but they were moving.
Anyone considering going around those gates when they first went down most likely wouldn’t have cleared in time…!
Light power that comes from Rochelle that goes to Proviso always goes to fast over the EJ&E diamond. The last light power move I saw from Rochelle was going at 55MPH!!! The speed limit for the diomand is40!
Andrew, how do you know he was doing 55? I’m sure he would have been turned in by the operator in the tower if the speed were excessive (trust me on this!).