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[^] 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).
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