Bob / Hemi, Really nice shots! I though I was in Borg-land yesterday when I caught a NS intermodal train behind two UP units. Lead unit was # 5000 Harold
great shots ya'll!!!! not much of a fan of uncle pete, but the landscapes are great. this discusison of DBEAs is interesting. So 28 is for the total train, regarless of the engines are located? all head-end, DPU, and rear pushers? some clarification would be great!!! again, great shots! beast
I think you miss understood me. The westbound empties have only 3 units working. The eastbound loads have all 5-6 units working. But there have been a couple of times when I had to bring a load down the east side with only 3 units working. But an 10 lb set will hold it all the way.
Mike- How many total units westbound? 5-6? If only three are working, are the rest being returned simply to balance power assignments? Boxcab E50
Ken, that is correct. The 2% grade from Tabernash-West Portal requires TONS of power on a coal load. Mike, Now I;'m confused... I thought the EDBA was maxed on 3 units, but more units are working on EB loads than just 3? On the Moffat, are the EDBA ratiings based on tonnage eastbound?
Depends on whether going up the craig branch or to Grand jct. The Craig trains normally run 4X2 or 3X2. The rear set is DPU'd and when they get to Phippsburg they will cut in the swing DPU set and then off to the mine. But we can only use the head 3 units in power and one of the rear units. The GJ sets have anywhere from 2-10 units on the point. And yes the extra power is for additional power for the loads leaving GJ. They will run conventional from GJ to mine and back and then be DPU'd in GJ. Usually in a 2X2X2 or 2X2X1 arrangement. Hope this helps.
Hemi, On the loads the power is DPU'd. headend, swing and rear. So you can use all those units in power and DB. And you really need them too. That's one reason railroads use helpers, to split up the in-line forces throughout the train. having all that power on the head is will cause break in twos, stringlineing, or in the case with Dyn Brk's cars car be pushed off the rails thru curves and turnouts.
Railroads have a "standard operating proceedure", such as the EDB rating. In certain cases where the grade is exceptionally steep or the curves are sharp, changes are made to the operating practices to some specific territories. So a standard rule may be amended and not apply on certain sections of a particular subdivision. More pics please.............
