Since I got my replacement digital camera some time back, I've been able to chase some of the UP action I've been seeing around here, as well as shoot trains up on Sherman Hill, arguably one of the best railfanning areas in North America. Here's a few for ya: Eastbound stack train on Archer Hill, east of Cheyenne (which you can see in the far distance). He still has some hill to climb, but not as severe as Sherman Hill is. Ahead for this train is a run to North Platte, NE. Another eastbound, this time approaching the west portal of Hermosa Tunnel, on the west side of Sherman. Notice the weathering from the soot of passing diesels....also notice some of the soft decomposed granite, which can be treacherous. One wrong step, and you head down onto the tracks. Not to worry- I was on a solid rock outcropping. A drag freight living up to its name, dragging what seems like every car in Bailey Yard uphill thru Harriman, WY, on the south track. Morning light is not good shooting here- best time really is afternoon. Even with one SD70M and two SD70MACes ("Big Aces"), he was barely doing 20 MPH even up a 0.55% grade, in Run 8. Eastbound stack train behind two SD70Ms and two "Big Aces", all in full dynamics, rolling down number 1 track on the steep 1.55% main line a mile west of Borie. He'll be in dymanics all the way to Cheyenne, having been that way since the summit at Sherman. An all-too typical shot of an eastbound waiting to get into the yard. At this point, he's about a mile from end of run. To my left are the stockyards, to my right is the C&S overpass over the four-track UP main and West Lincolnway (US 30). I'll have more later, but now you know I've been out & about trackside. I may include a shot of the Snake River Pub (trackside, with a pint of Big Boy Amber) in another installment of Friscobob meets Borgrail.
Bob, Excellent photos it's great to be able to see some modern rail action. Look forward to seeing more pics.
And he survived? Now, if he starts talking about repainting everything from Mandarin to Yellow, we'll know there's big trouble! "You will be assimilated..." Boxcab E50
BITE YER TONGUE! If anything, I may turn the clock back to the black & yellow era for the Frisco. BTW- nice early AM shot there, Hemi!
Here's more for ya- and it isn't all yellow & grey, either: Northbound BNSF freight, Denver-Laurel, crawling down the high fill at 10 MPH approaching the ex-C&S Cheyenne Yard. Street under the tracks is Old Happy Jack Road. Another ex-BN SD40-2 (gee, just like what I see back in Sherman, TX.....) Another northbound BNSF, all GE power, crossing over the four-track UP main and Lincolnway (US 30). The EB stack train finally got clearance to go the last mile to the crew change point, which is still downhill from here. I was in the left turn lane at the intersection when I got this shot. With not too many freights on the old C&S, it's a bit hard to get over & under shots- and of course, UP is the big dog here in Cheyenne....... Yet another eastbound, headed downgrade on the north tracks, diesels in full dynamics, about to duck under the I-80 underpass east of Granite. You can see the I-road in the background- it's a heavily traveled highway, with beaucoup truck traffic. Peekaboo, I see you........ EB just poking out of the east portal of Hermosa tunnel. Going-away shot of same train's motive power. That green & black SD40-2 (ex- BN, obviously) is now lettered FURX. Ahead of this train is Dale Jct., Dale Siding, and the summit at Sherman (8012 ft. above sea level). Meanwhile, back at the ranch- er, I mean west side...... ...we see what eastbounds do a lot of at this spot- sit & wait for clearance into the yard. The train with the SD70M flared flag is on Track 1, while the GE AC440W sits on three track. [ August 29, 2005, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: friscobob ]
all good except that stack train where preceded to say that ALL the engines were in full dynamics, that is incorrect on the UP they have a rule that no more than 28 EDBA (Equivilent Dynamic Brake Axles) be active on any train. More than 28 and they have to be cut-out not operative. With those four engines the back engine would have the back engines Dynamics cut-out. The front engine and rear engine have around 8.9 EDBA middle and rear have 9.6, so only three would be in FULL dynamics. The reason for this rule is over 28 is just too much (possible jackknifing)
Welcome aboard, Jolly! This equivalent dynamic brake axle talk.. Never heard of it before.... One question, are there additional rules for other UP lines? I for a fact know that EB trains into Denver from the old Rio Grande require the heavy use of dynamics, usually with 6-11 AC4400's. And they all seem to be in full dynamics.
Great display of bridges!! Notice that concrete deck on top of the steel girders? And the truss right next to it? Great shot, for sure!
No way ALL of them are in FULL dynamics, if it is a "big" hill then you will bury the dynamics on up to 28 EDBA and then take some air on the train brakes to help you take the hill. It does not matter where the train is 28 EDBA is all that there should be no matter where. So the correct way to take those hills you are talking about is FULL dynamics in the first three engines then set maybe 10 pounds of air of the cars maybe more depending on the grade, but that is how you handel to "big" of a hill not by 6-11 engines in dynamics way to much dynamic brake power.
On a 2% ruling grade for 50 miles? Are you meaning to say, that even though there are 8 units in a 12,000-ton coal train, that only 28 EDBA worth are in full dynamics?
Hemi, On the Moffat, the westbound empties might have 3-10 locomotives on the point. But they can only use 3 in power and dyn brk. Even a DPU set 2-2-2 can only use the lead tow and one each of the helpers. On loads eastbound, they are all being used in both power and dyn brk. The main reason for UP's EDBA is that they want you to run trains only with DB's but with their train make up they had a lot of derailents. So instead of making trains up properly they just tell you to use fewer locos in DB and set air. I remember we used to run 4-8 SD's on the point of any train and never had any problems. Of course building trains with the loads on the headend instead of on the rear helped.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch............ Look for some more pics after this weekend, including some shot east of Cheyenne.
Mike, Thanks for the info. I never knew that only 3 units could take a heavy coal load down the 2% safely... I guess I need to pay more attention! Borie, WY, while awaiting UP 3985 EB:
