Caught this today...

mr.dean Jun 11, 2013

  1. mr.dean

    mr.dean TrainBoard Member

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    while running down US 52 in the Goose Creek area (north of Charleston). Eight engines! Was surprised because the consist wasn't really that long, maybe 40 - 45 cars. And one of the engines was a switcher... thought that was interesting too. All CSX. Some engines looked pretty new... but a few looked like they had worked hard over the years! LOL We were running about 45 mph when I took this. So I do have one question... notice the switcher engine at the back of the engine consist? Why would they put a switcher in the mix unless they just wanted to move it from one location to another?? Enjoy!

    PS: Please ignore the leg shot! I was trying to get the camera ready while driving in traffic. Please don't tell my insurance agent!


    [video=youtube;aJ9zySkc-Rc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ9zySkc-Rc&feature=youtu.be[/video]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 11, 2013
  2. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Probably a power balancing move between engine terminals. Though the switcher is either being transported to an overhaul shop, or is being returned from one. I saw this type of operation every couple of months when we lived next to the CSX New Orleans/Mobile main. Of course that was before Hurricane Katrina convinced us to rebuild about 25 miles north of the Coast...LOL
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It is not uncommon to simply swap out a switcher, when due for its scheduled maintenance.
     
  4. magi46

    magi46 TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you for the vid. Rare finding.
     
  5. mr.dean

    mr.dean TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks guys. I didn't think seeing a switcher in that consist would be "normal". Always wondering why they do things... LOL!

    Dean
     
  6. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    Is that an old Mustang, or a new one with old style gauges?
     
  7. mr.dean

    mr.dean TrainBoard Member

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    Good eye! Its a 2008, so nothing overly special. But I did grow up driving and owning a couple of 65/66s. Great cars!

    Dean
     
  8. Dave Jones

    Dave Jones TrainBoard Supporter

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    I see we have something else in common - Mustangs! Fastback '67 (exactly like McQueen in "Bullit"), '81, '87 and a '96 litre 4.5. My current car and told my wife "you can bury me in it, or give it to a deserving relative." It's been and still is the best car I've ever owned! O.K., off soap box.

    The Bachmann doodlebug comes closest to SAL #2022 and #2023. At least on the head-end. Instead of having a passenger compartment to the rear, they had a baggage and a mail compartment. Wish I could find such with the same configuration as the front. My real love were the normal power for the "Boll Weevil," #2027 and #2028. I'd buy two even at brass prices.
     
  9. cajon

    cajon TrainBoard Member

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    Dave
    It's probably a routine move just the first time you've seen it. All locos go thru scheduled routine maintenance. So they go back & forth between working locations & the shops. Good bet half the locos you saw were like that. And if you're a modeler it's a good excuse to have more than one of any loco type!
     
  10. Dave Jones

    Dave Jones TrainBoard Supporter

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    Andy - If your last is addressed to me I'm aware of power transfer moves, units d.i.t., or not, being moved for their maintenance cycle to whatever shop. Ran across a Southern train with 12 units headed toward Pegram Shops with only the first 3 being powered up.

    One difference now (altho' it may have varied from road to road) was that on the SAL when they transferred a unit d.i.t. it was normally separated from the power by several freight cars. Now it appears that they just put 'em all "upfront." Perhaps someone could advise if there was a good reason for the variation?

    Dave
     
  11. cajon

    cajon TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry Dave. My reply was directed to mr.dean. For some reason your name was above the reply box when doing my reply. There's probably all kinds of variations on this DIT/DIC topic. Back in the '80 & earlier Santa Fe ran "Cab Hops" It was 8-12 locos w/ a waycar headed east from the west coast to reposition locos. There was always been more WB traffic than EB. Nowadays BNSF just add spares to anything EB.
     

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