Dash 8 on switching duty?

[brilondon]

I have seen many high horse power mainline units doing switch duty. It depends on what is availible at the time the swithching is needed and what is availible. I have also thought that it is probably cheaper to use personal who is in the yard to run the trains and make use of them because they are being paid any way then to call a crew to do the switching and then have to pay for both crews. They just make use of the resources availible to them.

[brilondon]

I have seen many high horse power mainline units doing switch duty. It depends on what is availible at the time the swithching is needed and what is availible. I have also thought that it is probably cheaper to use personal who is in the yard to run the trains and make use of them because they are being paid any way then to call a crew to do the switching and then have to pay for both crews. They just make use of the resources availible to them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Probably was the nearest thing lying around at the San Bernardino yard. The motive power clerks in Ft. Worth just saw it as "another number/ another available locomotive" on their computer screen and reasoned "why Not?"

In the past, have seen UP switching Cheyenne with DD40AX's (roadmaster must have died if he saw that thing attacking yard switches!), so nothing is that unusual.

Steve Lee must have looked at the yardmaster and said " YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT ". Ok their your switches!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Probably was the nearest thing lying around at the San Bernardino yard. The motive power clerks in Ft. Worth just saw it as "another number/ another available locomotive" on their computer screen and reasoned "why Not?"

In the past, have seen UP switching Cheyenne with DD40AX's (roadmaster must have died if he saw that thing attacking yard switches!), so nothing is that unusual.

Steve Lee must have looked at the yardmaster and said " YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT ". Ok their your switches!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Just the other day I was on the Decatur-Mattoon turn and we had 2459 which is one of the EX LMS Dash 8s.

[Anonymous]

Just the other day I was on the Decatur-Mattoon turn and we had 2459 which is one of the EX LMS Dash 8s.

[Anonymous]

CSX uses heavy six axle power on a reguler basis to marshal loads of coal in the yards at Grafton Wv.In years past it was realy a thrill to stand on the bridge spanning the yards and listen to the howl of an SD45 passing back and forth right underneath of you.

[Anonymous]

CSX uses heavy six axle power on a reguler basis to marshal loads of coal in the yards at Grafton Wv.In years past it was realy a thrill to stand on the bridge spanning the yards and listen to the howl of an SD45 passing back and forth right underneath of you.

[CP5415]

Sure, I've seen CP's SD90MACS & AC4400's switching GM in Oshawa.
Don't see it every day but it does happen.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[CP5415]

Sure, I've seen CP's SD90MACS & AC4400's switching GM in Oshawa.
Don't see it every day but it does happen.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I know on CSX where i work with the srew up in motive power assignments we have we just take what they give us. I have had 2 GP-40's and a GP-38 on road trains. One day I had two AC4400's on our 25mph branch into Canada that con barely hold up a four axle and even seen six packs on switching jobs.

[Anonymous]

I know on CSX where i work with the srew up in motive power assignments we have we just take what they give us. I have had 2 GP-40's and a GP-38 on road trains. One day I had two AC4400's on our 25mph branch into Canada that con barely hold up a four axle and even seen six packs on switching jobs.

[Anonymous]

My dad works at ADM in Decatur. The NS, will generally switch the plant with at least one GE C44-9W if not two.

[Anonymous]

My dad works at ADM in Decatur. The NS, will generally switch the plant with at least one GE C44-9W if not two.

[CShaveRR]

When they need power to run an extra hump job in Proviso, anything is fair game...foreign power, C44ACs, SD70s, you name it! This is not without its own set of problems, though, as the plows often won't clear the retarders.

[CShaveRR]

When they need power to run an extra hump job in Proviso, anything is fair game...foreign power, C44ACs, SD70s, you name it! This is not without its own set of problems, though, as the plows often won't clear the retarders.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

My how the mighty fleet have fallen[V][V]. Are the new big SD's subject to being "goats", or is it only the GEs?

Take care[:)]

Russell

I see the SD70's only on coal trains thru here. But lots of Dash 9's hauling freight and even just short trains of freight - ie possibly from a couple of elevators.

Jen

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut484

My how the mighty fleet have fallen[V][V]. Are the new big SD's subject to being "goats", or is it only the GEs?

Take care[:)]

Russell

I see the SD70's only on coal trains thru here. But lots of Dash 9's hauling freight and even just short trains of freight - ie possibly from a couple of elevators.

Jen

[kevarc]

We have an old faded Dash9 as yard engine in the BNSF yard in Lafayette, LA

[kevarc]

We have an old faded Dash9 as yard engine in the BNSF yard in Lafayette, LA

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's a real treat to hear the appealing sound of flange squeal as those 6 axle units go around some tight curves in smaller yards. Almost as lovely as the sound of nails on a chalkboard!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's a real treat to hear the appealing sound of flange squeal as those 6 axle units go around some tight curves in smaller yards. Almost as lovely as the sound of nails on a chalkboard!

[mudchicken]

Probably was the nearest thing lying around at the San Bernardino yard. The motive power clerks in Ft. Worth just saw it as "another number/ another available locomotive" on their computer screen and reasoned "why Not?"

In the past, have seen UP switching Cheyenne with DD40AX's (roadmaster must have died if he saw that thing attacking yard switches!), so nothing is that unusual.

[mudchicken]

Probably was the nearest thing lying around at the San Bernardino yard. The motive power clerks in Ft. Worth just saw it as "another number/ another available locomotive" on their computer screen and reasoned "why Not?"

In the past, have seen UP switching Cheyenne with DD40AX's (roadmaster must have died if he saw that thing attacking yard switches!), so nothing is that unusual.

[Trainnut484]

My how the mighty fleet have fallen[V][V]. Are the new big SD's subject to being "goats", or is it only the GEs?

Take care[:)]

Russell

[Trainnut484]

My how the mighty fleet have fallen[V][V]. Are the new big SD's subject to being "goats", or is it only the GEs?

Take care[:)]

Russell

[Anonymous]

We use the "Big Dogs" or "Supertoasters" (GEs) on NS for locals or yard jobs all the time. 6 axles can lug a lot of cars. Problem is those @#$&%^*! electronic brakes make switching tough. Also, it is tougher to kick cars with those big engines as thew computers automatically slow the throttle response.

LE

[Anonymous]

We use the "Big Dogs" or "Supertoasters" (GEs) on NS for locals or yard jobs all the time. 6 axles can lug a lot of cars. Problem is those @#$&%^*! electronic brakes make switching tough. Also, it is tougher to kick cars with those big engines as thew computers automatically slow the throttle response.

LE

[David3]

From what I know they need certain locomotives depending on the load that they are swiching out. Last Thursday I saw a BNSF dash 9 doing yard switching!