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Locomotive Selection - Helper Service
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<P>After reading this topic it sounds to me like the closest real railroad to what you want your layout to be is the Montana Rail Link. Consider looking for detailed info on how they deploy their helpers on their trains and on the run through BNSF trains they operate.</P> <P>Some thoughts I've had...</P> <P>MRL mainly used rebuilt SD40's and SD45's(rebuilt and unrebuilt) in sets of 2 to 8 units to push trains over Bozeman and Mullan (Mullan is a 2.2% grade) passes from startup until the SD70ACe's arrived. I believe they use sets of 2 to 5 of the ACe's now on most trains, but I may be wrong. I remember seeing and/or reading that the coal trains BNSF sends west over MRL are equiped with distributed power units (3-1 or 2-2 or 3-2 layout, not sure) all the way from the PRB and still have MRL helpers added to them to get over the mountains. Also remember that MRL, I believe, usually has more than one set of helpers ready to be used and that power may return back down the grade as light engines.</P> <P>BNSF uses its own manned helpers on its line over Crawford Hill in Nebraska. For quite a while they were using sets of 4 SD40-2's/C30-7's and later 2 or 3 SD60's with 3 to 4 different sets in use at one time.</P> <P>Now you say that your going to have a classification yard at the bottom of the grade. Is that your railroad's primary yard? Are you going to have an engine servicing facility? Your helpers will need fuel and sand regularly. Maybe just a sanding tower and fuel stand on your spur track.</P> <P>In my personal opinion, if I were having to choose units for helpers, I would probably use SD40-2's or SD45's. If I modeled modern times and had a busy bridge line, I might go for AC4400's or SD70MAC's instead.</P> <P>As for AC and DC units mixing, it happens, but for your helper sets you would probably want to use near identical units because of the different operating characteristics of the units.</P>
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