BNSF Glendive, MT

badlandnp Sep 6, 2015

  1. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Alan, your explanation is probably correct. Though I was thinking the units you videoed were the rear-end DPUs. I'm assuming the front end may have run into a problem and the train had to be backed to a passing siding (or something) where the problem could be corrected. I assumed this because I didn't see anybody on board as the cabs passed by you and I could see through the windows out the other side. Though it's strange that there was nobody on the "lead" unit controlling the move....:confused:
     
  2. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    That's gotta' be tough on the engineers neck, looking backwards for a long period of time over his shoulder!:mad:
     
  3. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    The conductor ducked out of my sight when he saw me getting the camera out! This was the only power on the train, and I am sure the engineer was carping and complaining away!
     
  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Don't most road engines have outside mirrors in front of the side windows similar to cars and trucks?
     
  5. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Yup, they help some, but aren't too big or usually very well kept up, last time I saw one. The crews usually spend time cleaning them. However, wiggly ones may stay 'in service' for way too long. Trying to use a wiggly mirror is tough!
     
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  6. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    You probably have a good point there. These things don't look near big enough for being used like that and if you add a wobble, I could just imagine the sea sick feeling you would develop after trying to watch it for a few minutes.
    mirror01.JPG
     
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  7. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Head end leaving town and, PIC_0009.JPG
    the DPU's just coasting along. PIC_0014.JPG
    And the end of an oil can waiting for a crew. PIC_0973.JPG
     
  8. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    So, yesterday evening I got out to do a bit of work, and then saw this gravel train rolling through downtown. So, I raced over to get under the end of the Black Bridge, and actually caught it!

    Then after getting that video, The dogcatch crew was just getting done putting the power on the end of the oil can and this coal empty was waiting for a crew. The haze is due to smoke from the fires out west. PIC_0020.JPG PIC_0022.JPG
     
  9. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    And we still have a lot of coal pulling through town. Yesterday there were 4 piled up at one time! here's a quick vid of the mainline train leaving, while the trains on 2 and 3 track await crews. The coal on 1 track is just out of sight behind the lead unit at the very beginning, also awaiting a crew.

     
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  10. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    I got out of town Thursday and Friday, taking a family member to Billings. Of course, that meant trains! Here's a Thursday evening coal train heading away from the sunset.


    And, of course, more to come from Friday, after these shots of an empty sitting on the main just short of the east switch at Custer, MT. I still don't know why they do this, it will sit here until a few minutes before the coal train, in the above video, gets there, and then the dispatcher will put this guy into the siding.

    PIC_0059.JPG PIC_0060.JPG
     
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  11. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    And so Friday, we were blessed with catching up to this eastbound coal trainjust before it got to Pompey's Pillar, where a manifest train was waiting on the siding. He had been going 60, but slowed down to pass the parked train,


    Then we sped down the road a few miles to get myself perched on this spot where I have wanted to get a video of a train for years. And now I knew that one was on his way,


    And then we hit Custer, and here sits an empty just east of the east switch.
    PIC_0065.JPG
    And as that coal loads enters the west end on the main slowly, the empty heads west and both stop. PIC_0072.JPG
     
  12. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Gents,

    I know I’m not in Montana but in North Dakot currently working this week. I noticed a couple of places on the drive between Minot and Tioga today where there were small propane tanks lined up along the BNSF track. They were in pairs and there might be 5 to 8 pairs in a group along with some type piece of equipment. I have never seen them down south that I can remember. What are they used for?

    Thanks,
    Dale
     
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  13. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Not knowing that area, Hemi could chime in here, I can only guess. We do see them in this area and they are for switch heating. Keeps the ice from locking the switch points in place in the winter!
     
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  14. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not from there either but fuel for switch heaters is a good bet. I know NS uses them and have seen them as far south as just north of Atlanta.
     
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Only thing I can think of is fuel for such as switch heaters.
     
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  16. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    You guys all won the trivia question. I asked one of the guys I’m working with up here. He called his brother-in-law who is a retired BNSF engineer. They are indeed fuel sources for turnout heaters.

    Being from the lowlands, I never thought of that. I did see the one at the east end of Tioga that did not have one. But there was a broom and shovel on a post next to the throw. Guess those guys have to do it the hard way! I can’t imagine it being much fun!

    Thank you all for taking time to reply!
     
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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Years ago, you could see switch brooms and shovels placed everywhere, when winter was forthcoming.
     
  18. dalebaker

    dalebaker TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Boxcab,

    I think winter is indeed coming up here, I saw leaves changing in the trees. They invited me back come February. I politely passed.....
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yup. Temperatures, highs daily, have dropped 20-25 degrees the past week or so. A bit early for such, so i am watching for the tree leaves to start showing. I won't complain. Am not a hot weather person!
     
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  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Late to the party, but yes, switch heaters.

    Here's a quick few pics of them, although I haven't taken detail photos of them.

    Control Point 10.6, west of Minot:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    They're helpful in the above weather...
     
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