I understand that you need enough power to pull the train- I just always thought that locos for this type of service (coal) tended to stay with like locos. Seems like pictures that I have seen always showed it that way.
Maybe I'm just stuck in 1991? No worries
StudeDave
eolafan We've been seeing the same thing here in Aurora, IL for some time now. Also, the coal trains through here (also undoubtedly PRB originated) used to be ALL EMD for many years and have now become mixed EMD/GE or all GE with only a few with all SD70MAC/SD70ACE power lashups.
We've been seeing the same thing here in Aurora, IL for some time now. Also, the coal trains through here (also undoubtedly PRB originated) used to be ALL EMD for many years and have now become mixed EMD/GE or all GE with only a few with all SD70MAC/SD70ACE power lashups.
Back in the 1970's, the BN coal trains from the Colstrip mines were pulled by 6 axle GE's. I did see one MP coal train pulled by F's in 1969.
- Erik
I can't speak directly to how BNSF assigns power. On my carrier, and expect the other Class I's, power is consisted to handle the tonnage of the train over the route it will traverse, without any concern over the manufacturer of the locomotives. ie. Train is 16000 tons .... locomotive A is good for 5000 tons .... locomotive B is good for 3000 tons ..... locomotive C is good for 4550 tons .... locomotive D is good for 4000 tons - the total is greater than the trains tonnage - and as Jacky Gleason use to say 'and Away we GO!'
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Recently Ihave noticed something I don't recall noticing before.
It seems that on the unit coal trains running through here (BNSF's Bellingham Sub- south of Custer) seem to have two locos on the front, and two on the rear. Nothing unusual I'm sure, but the thing I've noticed is that it seems most all of them are mixed- GE/EMD on the front, and the same on the rear. It's rare that lashed together pairs of one or the other go by on the coal trains.
My question is~ do they do this for a reason, or...?
Why not all of one or all of the other?
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