Here is a shot of my train the other night. I was engineer on INRD SAHW(Senate Ave Terminal to Hiawatha Yard) and had to stop in Switz City to make a meet with my counterpart train HWSA(Hiawatha Yard to Senate Ave terminal)
A dog's breakfast quintet of classic EMDs lead 42 cars east back to Gavin Yard off the Northgate branch between Aurelia and Hartland, ND:
You do, but not sure how long it's been there, or if it's been used already. I haven't chased on the Northgate Branch for a few months.
Just thinking that an old branch line as this really needs to have very active upkeep, for such tonnage in trains. Otherwise it will fall apart, quickly.
UP 1943 leading an eastbound stack train by Cedar Rapids, IA. September 15, 2021 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It sounded great, although at 25 MPH and downhill, not much throttle was needed. Indeed, and with this branch capable of shuttle trains, heavy 6-axle units and 286K gross rail loads, it gets pretty good maintenance.
Yeah, that 40 lb. rail they used out here in the boonies in ,medieval times, needs a lot of help, these days. Doug
30 years ago, BNSF GP60M #144, stuck in the middle of that "dog's breakfast quintet of classic EMDs", was leading hotshot intermodal trains through Cajon Pass as ATSF #160.
Those ATSF GP60's are going Jessie's. They make descent switch engines. Will handle more tonnage than one would thing for a 4 axle unit, I was impressed by what they would move, even a single unit. How the mighty hath fallen though. From shooters to locals and switch engines.
Those SP guys (just above the lead 60's nose) not doubt on a drag, were thinking, "man those Santa Fe guys sure know how to run a RR".
From 09/07/21 at Columbia, SC, NS's Interstate heritage unit leads Train 18D to the Port of Charleston. That's an entire train of new BMWs for export; 18D runs daily. BMW's plant in Spartanburg is enormous, producing 1500 vehicles each day, with 75% going to export.
An Austin and Northwest Railroad passenger train near Kingsland, Texas outside of Burnet. The A&NW Railroad was created in Austin in 1881, reached Burnet in 1882, reached Marble Falls in 1885 and Llano in 1892. It was later absorbed by Southern Pacific. Courtesy of the Austin History Center at the Austin Public Library .