Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Norfolk Southern Locomotives

3837 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: US
  • 973 posts
Posted by jmbjmb on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 10:23 PM

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.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 10:45 AM

Google sez there is an Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 8:14 AM

Mark,

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''

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Northern Minnesota
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by NP2626 on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 6:08 AM

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.

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, June 2, 2013 6:10 AM

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

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Northern Minnesota
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by NP2626 on Sunday, June 2, 2013 5:58 AM

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).

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 6:02 AM

NP2626
and 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.Sigh

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Northern Minnesota
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by NP2626 on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 5:20 AM

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.

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 4:20 AM

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

------------------------------------

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.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 993 posts
Posted by hobo9941 on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:05 PM

At some point, railroads have to pay back, or even up, horsepower hours, for run through power. That is likely what is happeneing.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 9:42 PM

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).

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 8:04 PM

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.Surprise

Spend some time trackside and it looks like a model railroader gone wild..Laugh

Who  would have thought this 10 years ago?

 

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 8:00 PM

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

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 4:12 PM

  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

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • 274 posts
Posted by oregon shay on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 2:16 PM

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.

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:46 AM

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!"

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: eastern Nebraska
  • 219 posts
Posted by binder001 on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:43 AM

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.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:06 AM

I seem to recall a collaboration on coast to coast unit trains.

Richard

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Northern Minnesota
  • 2,774 posts
Norfolk Southern Locomotives
Posted by NP2626 on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 10:02 AM

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/

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!