With the accounting systems now in use the owning road can keep track of where a locomotive is and what it's doing anywhere on the North American rail network. If railroad X has a locomotive from railroad Y pulling one of its trains, the use us tracked (in horsepower hours.) Since Railroad Y probably is using horsepower hours from other railroads, they are all balanced off through the system. If one railroad ends up owing horsepower hours to another it might turn over a locomotive to be used until the credit balance equalizes.
If a railroad has some form of ATC or in-cab signaling, the lead unit has to have compatible equipment. If not, there is no specific priority for whose unit leads.
Chuck
The other day on the CN former IC north south line between Tuscola and Arcola Illinois I passed a train let by a UP engine followed by BNSF and CN power. Is there a protocol for engines from different railroads operating on foreign tracks? Also why was the UP engine leading since this was CN right of way? Any response will be appreciated.
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