Lets see your helper shots. Woodford eastman AC helpers in Cajon. Shovin east at Woodford. 2.2% eastman shove, Woodford. 2.2% Thom
I'm betting everyone thinks my first post to this particular topic will be Moffat-related.. Not this time! Great topic choice, Thom!!!! Mullan Pass' Mullan Tunnel is a great place to catch helpers--MANNED helpers, even; in this day and age of remote DPU's, manned helpers are rare indeed! The brutal 2.2% grade out of Helena, MT has challenged NP, BN, and MRL since the line's inception. Here's a set of unmolested, 20-cyl. SD45's buried mid-train doing what they do best: SMOKE!
Kind of a rare scene, as this SP helper is running through Mojave with a heavy lumber train. SP east helpers are usually dropped at Tehachapi summit. Thom
Matched Geep 60's, no less! How many 60's did Espee roster? Not helpers, in the manned sense, but DPU's assisting with dynamic brake muscle just east of Tunnel 29:
And 3 were D&RGW... Another DPU shot; BNSF Denver-Stockton mixed freight climbs South Boulder Canyon just west of Tunnel 27:
Here is the last of three units in the pusher set. Notice the head end just above the helper. Crawford Hill
Excellent shot! Is the head end near Windy Point? Was the flange squeal as bad as your 'Crawford DVD'? How about some light helpers? Skyline trestle, and 3 light ACez westbound--this is the location of the latest MRL derailment:
Hemi, the head end is at Windy. I hiked up there and the flange squeal was horrible but cool in some weird way. If you ever have the $$$$ to get down here I've gotta take you there. I know it is not the Moffat but TONS of trains!! It is alot like watching trains around tunnel 16 out on that point that we like. I saw a few unpatched BN 60M's if you are interested and brand new Gevo's and coal hoppers. Some of those coal trains had to be on their first run or close to it. Oh, and the sun is beautiful at different points within a few miles all day long! I got some 136 pics in 2 days! Still want to get up in your country soon!
3 years I was in WY, nearly 100 miles from Crawford, and never made a visit... Now, I'm 650 miles away! Doh! I wanna see it now, too! I'm always up for more shots--feel free to share!
Here are a couple of images from the same day...of a traditional helper set on the good ol' Espee!! Taken at Walong (Tehachapi) about 24 yrs ago
This set of helpers were taken about 1984 out at San Timeteo Canyon, which is about 30 miles or so east of San Bernardino, Ca
At least 3 of those are SD45's... Who's the lady? She's watching, which is a good indicator of her interest level...
Here a helper set at Crawford,NE stops for a crew change while another loaded coal train makes a charge for the hill.
2nd helper set now on the head end of a manifest. Notice the empty aircraft cars heading back for more Boeing aircraft.
Another helper set drifts downgrade after shoving a coal train. The set is coming out of the Lower Horseshoe. Three BNSF SD-60M's drift downgrade on Crawford Hill after shoving a coal train. Notice the trailing unit is UNPATCHED!!
