does any one know why they are running so many engins through eastern oregon lately there is times that 7 -8 engines are on each train when there is usally 3-4 ???
I asked that wondering if all those engines were under power. I was told that in the normal course of traffic, occasionally engines will accumulate at one end of the system, and will have to be transferred to other locations where needed. Thus it is not uncommon to see several engines being "dead headed" to somewhere. You are only allowed to have just so many powered wheels on any one train.
Its probably a power transfer run as watash suggested. Personally, I've never seen a Power transfer where any of the engines were deadheaded (not turned on) I partcularly remember a move on the BNSF that included 2 Dash 9s, a Dash 8 40Cw, a Dash 8 40BW, a Dash 8 40B, a GP60M, and SD40-2 and a GP9 all 8 units under power.
