MKT 103/104 arrived on the mainline in Smithville and proceeded to set out several box cars.
Prototypically, would double headed power be separated before set outs are done?
Thanks for your inputs
Tom
"Prototypically, would double headed power be separated before set outs are done?"
No. WAY too much trouble to split & reconnect units.
Tom Bryant_MRPrototypically, would double headed power be separated before set outs are done?
Why would you even think they would separate the power?
Short answer no.
If you separate the power you have to disconnect all the cables between teh two units. Then do something with the other unit. Do whatever work you had to do. Then recouple the units. Hook up all the cables between the units. Then brake test the added unit.
You would spent 15-20-30 minutes messing around with the units. Unless there is some hugely compelling reason to do that, why would you waste the time, shoe leather and work?
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Nope.. No need for the extra work. I can't see any engineer I worked with doing that.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
dehusman Why would you even think they would separate the power? Short answer no. If you separate the power you have to disconnect all the cables between teh two units. Then do something with the other unit. Do whatever work you had to do. Then recouple the units. Hook up all the cables between the units. Then brake test the added unit. You would spent 15-20-30 minutes messing around with the units. Unless there is some hugely compelling reason to do that, why would you waste the time, shoe leather and work?
Thanks all. Agree 100% time is money. I had no idea how long the process takes to connect/disconnect, so this is a valuable education for me. My reason for asking was from a cost standpoint, fuel and/or tracks in a industrial area not suited for this type of combination.
Thanks
Tom Bryant_MRMy reason for asking was from a cost standpoint, fuel and/or tracks in a industrial area not suited for this type of combination.
Cost, time is the big money thing, crews get paid by a combination of time and distance.
Fuel isn't going to be that much more. Even if yu separate the engines, both would still be running and the incremental difference in using both units would be less thatn the fuel wasted sitting still separating and reconnecting the units.
Since they appear to both be the same unit, unit suitability isn't an issue. If you want to get right down to it, railroads tried to avoid putting F units on trains that did industry work since they were terrible engines for switching (no good place for the brakemen to ride or easily get on or off while moving). Not saying they were never used, but if there was a choice of a GP or an F unit the crews would prefer the GP any day.
Tom Bryant_MRAgree 100% time is money.
Not on the railroad..It may take 20-30 mintues and some times more depending on the work to make a setout from the time we arrived to the time we departed.. That's why we didn't make any unneccessary moves.
Safety not time is the key.
As far as riding a F unit we would use the rear steps. And yes,we lucked out and had a F7A as motive power freshly painted Penn-Central. Needless to say we was not a very happy crew. There was more suitable engines available for that urban local.
The only reason a multiple locomotive consist would be split to do work would be because of a track restriction. Something like only one engine being allowed on a certain industry or yard track or six axle trucked engines prohibited. Otherwise no one wants to do extra work.
Under some labor contracts, the engineer may get an arbitrary extra hour's pay for breaking and reconnecting the MU hoses and cable.
Jeff