Last Monday I was taking my Grandson on his first train ride on the Northstar commuter line in suburban Minneapolis.While we were waiting at the Fridley commuter station, I noticed a short string of cars backing toward Northtown. The switch move had a switchman,but the motive power was not a locomotive, but a truck which had 4 flanged wheels under its chassis. It was a BNSF truck similiar to the trucks used by its MOW department. I did not have my camera or I would have photographed it. Two questions, first would the truck be modified to preform this duty, it would seem to be very hard on its transmission, especially reverse? Second,would the truck’s operator be a locomotive engineer or just a truck driver. I am amazed that since there are locomotives at Northtown which could preform this job, why was a truck being used ?
The unit seen may have been a Brandt Truck ( Hy-Rail Unit) There are several used in this area by BNSF crews.
This is a link to a video showing the Brandt Hy-Rail Truck in several variartions.
http://road-rail-corp.brandt.ca/video.php You may find the first video informational.
Linked here is a quote from a TRAIN ORDERS site @
:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,1376150
"…M&W department operates the trucks at all times. When being used for M&W work the trucks are operated under engineering department rules such as 704 and or 707 work authority. When moving long distances a conductor pilot will be used and the trucks will operate the same as a train would. Air brake system is set up just like a locomotive…"
This is referencing the operating rules for Brandt trucks on CSXT
Last QUESTION: Why use the Brandt and not a regular switcher? Most probably a COST consideration; followed closely by the Brandt may have been available sooner that a Regular Switch Engine.
Within the linked video is a reference to the Brandt being used on shortlines in Austraiia and North America.
These trucks may not be the only ones sold and available for these tasks, but they seem to be present on many lines who need their abilities.