I know that borrowed power is common these days, but every day the loaded coal trains running through valpo on the CN’s ex grand trunk western line have UP locos. Could this coal be form the powder river in Wyoming, or could this particular train have these locs regularly assigned to it. (An NS steel and scrap metal train form griffith to fort wayne has the same NS and Conrail consist the 2 times a day it comes through).
any input would be appreciated,
thanks,
pat
Pat:
Those coal trains come directly off of the UP in Chicago. They are trains 707 and the 708. (708 is the load, 707 empties). Also BNSF power is on 763, 764, 765, and 766.
Those trains also are interchanged in Chicago and the power runs thru. I am not sure how the power is accounted for on those, it may be part of the joint route rate that the western rails provide the power.
As you know Pat, the loaded trains are often underpowered and fail to make the might Valpo Hill! Those 17,000 ton coal trains are tough on two engines.
Also, there will be run thru power (BNSF and UP) on several mixed and auto trains, particularly the 250/251 off of the UP.
ed
I see Ed can type faster than me.[:D]
The NS train you see is probably #323 a turn from Fort Wayne to Van Loon (EJE?) and back (or as far as they can get before their hours are up). The relief crew is called 324. They ride in the west locomotive on the way up, do their switching, and ride the east unit back to the Fort so they don’t have to do anything to the locomotives.
It’s a good bet (not a sure thing) that the coal train is from the Powder River Basin. The railroads leave the UP locomotives on the train to save time/money swapping power at the interchange points along the way.