Starting to see a lot of NS Locos, way out here in Minnesota on BNSF trains. Did NS end up top heavy in power and is leasing to other roads; or, is there another explaination?
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I seem to recall a collaboration on coast to coast unit trains.
Richard
I agree that, at least for now, the NS is certainly more visible in my area than it had been for a while. Maybe BNSF built up a bunch of horepower hours and NS is paying back. We have had more NS stuff showing up on the BNSF in eastern Nebraska. Sometimes on coal, sometimes on manifest trains. I haven't seen them on intermodals, but I am usually at work when most intermodals run through my area. NS units are also not strangers on UP's Overland Route east of North Platte.
The NS presence has been strong enough that although I usually model UP and BNSF in Nebraska I recently picked up an NS Dash 9 by Athearn to use as a run-through unit with either RR. The model hasn't arrived yet, but I was doing an internet search on NS units and I see that I need to move the headlight but I should be able to do that. I'm strangely looking forward to seeing the black GE added to my trains.
Actually its called "seamless" railroading..Complete unit trains and intermodal trains are interchanged with nothing more then a fast refuel,inspection and new crew..
Some times while railfaning the NS it looks more like a model railroad club running trains since you never know what will show up on the next train.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
In the past year or so, I have seen numerous NS locomotives operating with BNSF power here in southern Oregon, on the UP mainline that BNSF and Amtrak both have trackage rights on. I have also seen CSX, CP, and CN locos mixed in with the "home " road's power. But the real treat is seeing an occasional SP, or a rare D&RGW or MP loco on UP trains.
Wilton.
NS(and CSX) have had a down turn in on-line coal loading, and a lot less trains on some lines. I have seen NS units in BNSF trains for at least the past 5 years or so. There does appear to be even more as of late. I suspect NS has a 'glut' of engines right now - pay off HP/Hours, lease them out, or store them are the options.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Wild unsubstantiated guess.
The BNSF has the contract to provide Power River Basin coal to Plant Scherer (sic?) near Atlanta (BNSF-Memphis-NS). Trains probably operate with mostly BNSF power since they are DP trains, so the NS may be paying back the HPHRs for the coal trains. NS did something similar with the UP when the UP had the contract.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
jrbernier NS(and CSX) have had a down turn in on-line coal loading, and a lot less trains on some lines. I have seen NS units in BNSF trains for at least the past 5 years or so. There does appear to be even more as of late. I suspect NS has a 'glut' of engines right now - pay off HP/Hours, lease them out, or store them are the options. Jim
Jim,Maybe on some lines but,its more about "seamless" railroading..I've seen ICE and DM&E units on ethanol trains running through Fostoria..I seen the salad bowl express with all UP power.I've seen KCS intermodal trains on the CSX-they terminate the run at the Marion,Ohio intermodal terminal..
I can go on the list is almost endless..I seen lots of BNSF,UP,CN units on NS..The same on CSX through Fostoria.
The railroads interchange complete trains including the unit consist and that unit consist may have 2-3 different railroad locomotives.
Sunday I seen a unit consist that had CSX lead,NS and U.P trailing.
Spend some time trackside and it looks like a model railroader gone wild..
Who would have thought this 10 years ago?
Dave & Larry,
We are seeing lots of NS power on the ex-CB&Q line up the Mississippi River. They are operating on oil/ethanol/intermodal/general freight. A conversation a couple of weeks ago in Mpls resulted with some BNSF folks mentioning re-payment of HP/Hours. I would suspect the NS power on the unit trains, but mixed with BNSF power on general freight is what we are seeing as well. In the past week I saw 3 EB trains one afternoon with NS power, and only one was a unit crude oil movement - The rest were general freight.
When I worked for the 'Q' in the late 60's, we would be ex-NYC GP40's from PC, until they started dumping Alco's on us - the pool arrangement was cancelled, and we then got E-L GP35/SD45 power in the pool. I was unlucky enough to get a C430 one day. It was mid-consist, but I had to ride it almost 100 miles to keep it loading. What a rough riding engine(hi-adhesion trucks).
At some point, railroads have to pay back, or even up, horsepower hours, for run through power. That is likely what is happeneing.
Jim:A conversation a couple of weeks ago in Mpls resulted with some BNSF folks mentioning re-payment of HP/Hours. I would suspect the NS power on the unit trains, but mixed with BNSF power on general freight is what we are seeing as well
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Jim,A word of caution..Some railroaders doesn't have a handle on the overall picture and is clueless on what management is doing.I knew my job as a brakeman and what was going on in my division but,had no idea what management was doing or how mindless their thinking was..
Looking back I'm glad I didn't know and I'm tickled pink I'm not railroading today.
Last time I was driving through Staples MN I saw trains with UP, BNSF and NS power in the power consist.
I'm not a railroader, am no longer management and some may say I have mindless thinking, going on aplenty.
NP2626and some may say I have mindless thinking, going on aplenty.
Join the "in crowd"..I'm sure my kids thinks that of me--at times.
On this past Thursday I was on my way to Fargo North Dakota when I saw a train going through Detroit Lakes and in the middle of the loco consist was a Kansas City Southern loco. Sorry, I can't I.D. the newer locomotives (they all look the same to me).
Mark,
As long as you were in North Dakota,,,too bad you didn't stop and see the Lion and give him a ''ROAR''
Cheers,
Frank
I have no idea where he lives, otherwise I might have done so. Kkeep in mind that N.D. is several hundred miles long, so the far eastern end might not be where Lions roam.
I don't have a clue either,,,all I know is North Dakota,,I thought maybe he would chime in and give us a ''ROAR''
Google sez there is an Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND.
I've seen UP and BNSF units on CSX trains here in middle Tennessee and on NS trains in Alabama. If you're into modern railroading, pretty much lets you run anything anywhere.