CP-BNSF Cooperation Tonight

[Anonymous]

[^]

I've been listening-in on a nice bit of cooperation between the CP and
BNSF on the Hinckley Sub tonight. BNSF #8852 (SD70MAC) was part
of a two-unit lashup hauling a loaded coal train out of Northtown Yard
in Minneapolis, bound for Superior, Wis. The lead unit (8852) shut-
down just north of MP 124.0 in Cedar, MN (very near my house) due to
a low oil-pressure condition (I assume it was an automatic shut-down).
I listened to the crew talk the problem over with the maintenance
engineer who I believe is in Minneapolis. They had no luck resolving
the problem. This all occurred at approx. 19:15. The BNSF train came
to a halt in Bethel, MN, all clear of MP 121.0. I went up there to have a
see myself and saw 8852 dead on the tracks, having just shut-off all
its headlights on the cab (ditch and main overhead lights), leaving just
the dimmer light on the nose lit. The BNSF crew had reported they were
losing air pressure and the brakes were going to be setting-up on the
train. There aren't a lot of roads being blocked (a few county roads but
not in a metropolitan area - we're out in the sticks up here).

A nortbound CP job lead by CP #6006 (SD60 leading 3 SD40-2s) was to
depart Northtown Yard, bound for Superior as well and the BNSF
dispatcher, with the agreement of the "chief" (I assume the BNSF chief
engineer), arranged for the CP crew to cut their train off short of the
BNSF's rear (they've uncoupled here at Cedar) and they're running light
up to Bethel. The CP train will pu***he BNSF job, God knows how many
tons of coal and two locomotives, onto one of the passing sidings at
Cambridge (somewhere near MP 108.0), and then return to their train
at Cedar and continue on. The CP units are about 3 miles short of the
BNSF train right now (20:35) and it sounds like they're going to perform
the move by distributed power from (I think) the BNSF's secondary unit.

The BNSF conductor did discuss earlier closing their lead unit's angle
**** and trying to control the brakes from their secondary unit, but they
weren't sure if that would work due to the depleted reservoir. The BNSF
crew was very concerned if this push from the CP engines would be
within the rules and they made sure to get clarification from the "chief"
on the issue before proceeding.

It sounds like the BNSF and CP crew are cooperating in a very
professional manner and it's pretty darn interesting radio to me. It
sounds like a maintenance truck is headed up to the BNSF train but it
may be necessary send a replacement locomotive (one locomotive
won't haul that load all the way to Superior).

[Anonymous]

Railways sure work together a lot more in recent times than they have in the past.

I was listening to my scanner the other day and a CN locomotive was leaking water and the nearest "Diesel Doctor" was about a 40 minute drive away, but there was a CP guy nearby so he went and took a look and then called up the CN and told them what was wrong and what they needed to fix it.

I thought that was nice of the CP guy to help them out, I'm sure he wasn't under any obligation to do so.

[edblysard]

Actually, we cover each others fannys a lot more that you know.
Because next week, I might be on their power, or they on ours.
If it dies while I have it, we fix it, they do the same.
So it is in all of our interest to keep it working.
And, next time I need help...I can count on one of the guys I have helped to bail me out.

Ed

[daveklepper]

Doctors behave like that, so why not railroaders.
Also, Army, Navy, and Airforce Chaplains help servicemen regardless of their particular religion.
Hope it spreads to railroad management
And transportation in general

[Junctionfan]

CP seems to try to get cooperative with other railroads. Right now they have hammered out some kind of running rights agreement with NS. From what I understand, NS will treat most of CPs trains as priority trains.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like typcial Railroading.

[Clutch Cargo]

Hi
We get 4 coal trais a day up here in Superior.
All are 125 cars in legnth.

The MERC transhipping facilty,(Detroit Edison) will easily ship 18,000,000 tons of coal this year.

Thats a lotta trains.[:D]

Kurt

[Anonymous]

From what I was able to gather from the rest of the transmissions last
night, they didn't use "distributed power" and the CP units controlled
all movement from the rear. The BNSF conductor said, "Nothin's workin'
up here". They proceeded at less than restricted speed just to be on
the safe side on up to Cambridge and I heard them pay special attention
to the rules for protected crossings where they had to stop and protect
the crossings (which they did).

They also had a lively conversation about the railroader's favorite subjects:
Retirement benefits, seniority and overtime rules.

A very professional approach to their work...

[railman]

"Minnesota nice" - you might not see it during rush hour but look for it on the RR.