locomotive lashups...

[Ulrich]

Here's a question for operating people... when you've got different locomotives in a consist does it matter in which order they're lined up? i.e. is it better to have the higher horsepower units ahead of the lower horsepower ones etc.

The most interesting lashup I've seen was on the CP back a few years ago...an FP7 leading CP's only M640...followed by an RS-18, a GP9 and an SD40-2.

[SID6FIVE]

well...in an ideal world the lowest powered unit or least capable unit would lead, with the higher powered unit(s) trailing...avoids fried traction motors or exceeding short-time ratings, such as you might get with, say, an AC4400 leading an SD50 on a long uphill pull with lotsa tonnage...of course, in the real world we hafta take what the power desk assigns to our train...and usually we just want the wide-cab leading...heheh...

[Ulrich]

That's interesting...thanks for the reply.

[MILW205]

The SOO would routinely run GP38-2/SD40-2/SD40-2 lashups, which jibes with what SID6FIVE stated about it being best to have the lower-rated unit first. 

[J. Edgar]

is SOP as well as rulebook reading on CSX...."lower HP rated engine shall lead....."

[nbrodar]

In reality though, the best equipped unit usually leads, especially if you need cab signals or LSL.

Nick