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Big consists
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There are a couple of factors out east here that cause very large consists to be made every so often. <br /> <br />There is a rule that you can't have more than 24 powered axles, because on the grades CSX pulls here, too much power would tear the train apart. Also, on CSX, you will see modern locos with lightning bolts painted on the sides - this is not just decoration, it shows that the loco is a high-power AC-traction unit, and it is to be considered as *9* powered axles in the equation, so two lightning bolts on the head end is pretty common out here. <br /> <br />In general, the rule-of-thumb is that trains going east carry freight of some sort (autos, cargo, and what-have-you), and trains going west are either empties or carrying garbage of some sort (actual garbage containers, scrap metal, recycled paper, empty containers/trailers, and the like). So, west-bounds are lighter and require fewer engines. Over the course of the work week, since fewer engines are needed for lighter trains, locos start to stack up in eastern yards like Beacon Park. At the end of the week, there will be a few trains that have between ten and twelve engines (only two powered, of course [;)] ), pulling a long string of empty intermodal cars. Many times, there will be a light-power consist going west on Sunday between Boston and Selkirk as well. <br /> <br />Due to commuter rail ops and scheduling between Chicago and Boston, most fast van trains run at night, so sorry to all you photographers. Scanner fans may have some fun, though, at the van site in Springfield, MA, and in Worcester, MA. <br /> <br />Another factor is that, in NY the fuel prices are higher than in Boston, so a lot of times extra engines will be sent east to be refueled, then ferried west again on the light engine move.
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