Today, along the ex-LV (now Conrail) in South Plainfield, NJ, I saw a long mixed freight powered by two Union Pacific locomotives e/b, presumably destined for Oak Island, Newark. Along this stretch of track, I usually see head end power from CSX, NS and Conrail. Occasionally, I also see locomotives of fallen flags (MoPac for example), which I assume are leased to Conrail or to one of Conrail’s owners. This is the first time, however, that I have seen locomotives from other current Class I roads.
I’m not aware of the UP leasing out its locomotives to eastern roads, and I was wondering if what I saw may have been some sort of coast-to-coast train, doubtful that may be given the mixed consist. Any thoughts?
Although it’s possible that UP engines venture out that way (once the connections have them, they often like to “play” with them for a while, especially if they’re short on power), it’s probably just as likely that this was an un-repainted former UP unit on least to the railroad in question.
In the future, I will make a point of noting the engine numbers and the paint schemes. My thinking is that these locomotives must be on loan or lease to Conrail. The UPSP is short of power itself, but it could well be leasing its less efficient diesels to other roads.
The movement could have been a Conrail through train between NJ and Detroit. Conrail locomotives outside of their principal territories are not unknown, but I would be surprised to see Conrail power on other than CSX, NS or Conrail lines.
It is an intersting time we live in for railroading. You stand a chance to see just about everyone somewhere, at some point. With the power shortages, its hard to say who is doing what. I live down close to the Sunset Route for the UP (ex SP) and if you sit there long enough, you will see every major road and recently fallen (with-in 20 years) on that line.
All though, it does give me a kick to see UP running 3 modern locos, say SD70’s or a -9, then a old UP SD-40-2 that has been blacklined out, marked as a leaser, and been rented out to the very compnay that sold it or retired it.
Guilford? OK, that is tough one…but I did mention “major road”.[:D] NS and CSX are common. If I hang out for the day and catch 15 trains, I will see 2 or 3 of each. Some days more than others. Last time out a train came through that had 3 NS units leading with one UP in the back of the consist. I wish I had my camera the other day a ConRail unit went through. I was with a good group of people and we all watched in silence. After it went by, we all looked at each other with a blank face saying “Did I just see that?” Heck, I have even seen a few Canadains.
Phoenix is a bad place to rail fan. Even though we have like the 6th or 7th largest town in the US, it is still a branch line run to Phoenix. Very, very few spots to watch in town. If you go about 2-3 hours north, you can catch the mainline action on the BNSF TransCon. About 30 minutes, you can catch the UP’s Sunset Route.