Rochelle Il.

[bluepuma]

Not sure if I've seen a DP unit midtrain or not, may have but not given it much thought since I know it's common, like running two or more locos with the short hood at each opposite end aimed forward and reverse. What I do notice is UP trains on BNSF tracks at Mendota, at least two different times so far. The UP was on point. The coal train may have had a d/p unit. Did see a Amtrak running in reverse with a unpowered F40PH on point.

[oskar]

it's a DPU mostly I see DPU's there and they were unpatched SP's




kevin

[ChrisBARailfan]

Speaking of DPU trains, in Kansas City it is very common to see unit coal or grain with a DP unit, but recently I have seen several general manifest trains with distributed power. I have seen both BNSF and UP trains. Is this something new or just something new for me to see?

[Anonymous]

Its common to see DPU power on the rear of coal trains between the mines and power plants. I've seen them on the Rochelle webcam and in person. I've seen them departing the Pleasant Prairie power plant near Kenosha w/ a DPU on the rear of the empties.
Here's a cool thing - if you're paying attention and if the DPU is running in reverse (ie. cab facing backward) you can get a going-away shot of the train, that looks just like an oncoming shot.

[joegreen]

They have used DP units a lot lately on both BNSF and UP.I heard a BNSF engineer say it's "smooth sailin".

Some eastbound UP loaded coal trains don't have DP units and they stall sometimes and need another train's engines to help up the hill.

[kschmidt]

I believe what you saw was a DPU (Distributed Power Unit) on the rear of the train. This power is remotely controlled by the engineer. The train will run like that from the mine to the power plant and back. It's not really pusher like you might be thinking that would be added when more horsepower is needed and then taken off later. BNSF and UP run alot of coal trains with DPU units. Sometimes it is almost a push-pull type with a locomotive on either end of the coal train.

Keith

[gradyo54]

I was at Rochelle on Sat. and saw a eastbound U.P. coal train with a rear end pusher. Creston Il. a few miles east is the highest point on the line between Iowa and Chicago, I have been to the Rochelle rail park many times and this was the first pusher I saw. Maybe they had trouble with power before they got to Rochelle? and needed help. The railfan park is great! Thanks Trains and the City of Rochelle for it.