I very occassionaly see a pic of a Switcher cut into a head end consist with almost any other type(s) of road loco. Does this slow down the whole thing?
I’m thinking that a switcher will have a different gear ratio set-up.
Do they just have to peddle faster?
I think that in most cases the switchers are running dead-in-tow to a maintenance shop or storage in preparation for scrapping, but if they are actually part of the consist they can and will run at the same speed as the road engines. The engineer and conductor will be aware of any speed restrictions of the locomotives in their consist to which they must abide.
Most switchers can’t run over 60 mph, as CSX’s max speed is 50 it’s not problem, You wouldn’t want one to lead the consist, but switchers are transported on-line and providing power.
Nick
Not exactly true…The SW1500 with Flexi coil trucks and the MP switcher series can double as road units.[:D]
many times when i lived in jacksonville i would see switchers
on the head end. my work was near the moncrief yard and i had to pick up parts at transamerica (intermodal )
the sw 's were very often doing double duty. they are a favorite of mine btw.
great question and much thanks. john
The twins, BP 1506 and 1507, come through there all the time doing coal drag. They are a pair of SW1500’s. Here they’re towing the govenor of PA.
Chip,
So…how does towing the governor of PA compare to a coal drag…?
Tom
Brakie,
I’ve been on the SW1500s and MPs and (at least CSX’s) are stenciled Max Speed 65 MPH. They can double as road units, but they are not equipped as road units. They have no toliets or sinks, plus they are loud and rock like crazy.
Wonderful for yard and short local work, but I won’t take one as the lead unit on a road train.
Nick
Govenor vs Coal Drag?
Coal is dirty, right?
Opps,
I seem to have left out some words from my first post. [:(]. I meant to say, CSX’s speed limit for general freight is 50 mph, so the switchers speed restriction is not an issue.
Nick
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Nor would I…[:D]
The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac was one of the few railroads to use SW-type switch engines in high-speed road service.
SW-1200 switchers, Nos. 81-83 were equipped with automatic train control, dual cab controls, coded cab signals, and speed control so they could be operated in road train service.
SW-1500, No. 91 was frequently used in road service. It was built by EMD in 1966, had dual cab controls and a gear ratio of 61:16 so it could attain a maximum speed of 71 mph. I’ve seen a photo of 91 along with 3 GP-40’s on a through freight and the switcher was the LEAD locomotive. The RF & P had some of the best maintained double track roadbed in the country, so they could run their trains fast.
In the sixties and seventies the Minneapolis Northfield and Southern used pairs of switchers back to back as their main road engines, they had SW-1200’s and SW-1500’s. I’ve seen pics of say four switchers being used together, and I’ve seen their switchers M.U.ing with one of their SD-39’s.
But then the MN&S wasn’t exactly a highspeed mainline operation…
I’ve seen 4 SW1500’s and a GP9 hauling ballast here once. For the coal drag lately. they’ve been running GP-38’s and GP35s. Haven’t seen the twins in a while.
going back to my learning about grade crossings / road rules… is that front car committing a tr affic violation… would he be stopped there or pulled over?
Thanks all for your answers
To answer the first question, yes.
To answer the second question, not in this town.
Wonder if the BP is holding out for another Governor in “drag” assignment for the “Twins”?
Will
I have seen Southern Pacific use SW1500s in road consists. I saw one consist with 7 units,each one a different model. They ranged in size,and horsepower,from SW1500 to SD45T2.There was even an Amtrak FP7 in the consist [8D]!
I’ve seen NS have switchers in their consists, I’m told they do this to cycle them to and from outlying areas and assignments to the shops for maintenance or to different assignments.
Brad
very interesting