Well, I turned 40 this week, but last week as I walked to the brew pub for my birthday celebration, I saw UP 2001 in the Engine house. One of 2, along with 2002 SD70Ms painted in honor of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. This was a new catch for me.
Happy milestone birthday, YoHo. The paint on those Olympic units has held up very well over the years.
Straw - nice F units! Caught these action shots over to Livingston on good ole MRL. The 4401 was leading the 4400 up Bozeman pass And these guys had just stopped to send the brakeman up to line some switches, after which they did a rapid pull and then let go of their cars, which went down a different track after the power went by a switch and the brakeman thru it. Can't remember what it's called, a 'flying drop' maybe?
I've seen a reference to that as a "flying cut," and it sounds like something where you're trusting the brakeman to have the timing.
Just to be technical, I think "flying" worked for pulling the car slow then disconnecting, "Dutch" would be starting by shoving the car then cutting it loose. I am, however, prepared to be completely wrong about that!
It was indeed called a Dutch drop. (Traded a couple of emails with retired fellows last evening.) Sounds like what you are describing some folks call "kicking" a car.
Tried to upload a video of the 'dutch drop' last night, but it didn't take for some reason....will try again overnight tonight. Thanks for the feedback! Now how to get away with that in N-scale?
Great pictures guys -- it's fun to see what everyone is up to. Been a bit of a railfan drought for me, having a tough time finding trains in photogenic spots!
Railfan's version of Murphy's Laws? When you do find a great spot, no trains. Or someone else is there, in the way. Or bad weather....
