A couple of questions about trains

[ValorStorm]

It gets complicated. Particularly on flat land, once a train is rolling, more horsepower per ton translates to more speed, NOT more lugging power. Slugs are terrific for supplementing locomotives in yards and heavy, slow freights. And it's largely because they don't provide extra horsepower, just extra tractive effort. But each railroad has its own philosophy about powering trains.

[dehusman]

Trains are powered to a standard minimum amont for the tonnage they haul. The standard varies by type of train and the territory its on.
They may mave additional engines if they are moving engines from one location to another.
They may have additional engines if its a bulk train (and the power is in a cycle from loaded to empty train and back), the train is powered to handle the load.

A train can sit for 12 hours, then needs a new crew, it can sit for 24 hours before the engine needs a daily inspection, it can sit for a week or so before it runs out of fuel.

Dave H.

[adrianspeeder]

Time for some "tales from the cab" stories to answer # 2.

Usually it will be just enough power that is available to keep the train rolling. Weight of the train, terrain of the track, and priority of the train all play a part in figuring out the amount of horsepower per ton.

Adrianspeeder

[nitroboy]

Not knowing too much about how trains work, I have a few questions.

1. Why on some trains is there 3 engines, then on another, only one. I was watching the NS line in Columbus, OH with my daughter, and a train went by with 3 engines and about 50 loaded hoppers. A few minutes later a train went by in the opposite direction with one engine and about 150 empty hoppers. I know weight is the factor, but how do the railroads decide what gets what?

2. When a train is sitting waiting for the tracks to clear ahead, what is the longest a train can sit in one spot? For the crews, this must be shear bordom. Some trains sit what seems like hours, others sit for 20 to 30 minutes. What do the crews do?

Thanks guys!