UP Power On the RailEx Perishable Trains`

[caldreamer]

What types of engines are assigned to the RailEx Perishable  trains from Del;ano, Ca and Walla Walla, Wa?

[Bruce Kelly]

The Wallula train had AC45CCTEs when I saw it this spring.

[BaltACD]

CSX has a restriction of a maximum of 24 powered axles on all system trains - AC engines count as 9 powered axles.  For the 'fruit salad' train - a special rule has been put in place to allow 27 powered axles on the designated trains ID's for it, thus all three AC units that the UP delivers on the train can be on line and blowing smoke.

[caldreamer]

Thanks for the information.  What models does th UP put on the "fruit salad express", SD70MAC. SD70ACe,  AC4400's, or ES44AC's?

[YoHo1975]

i don't often see those trains, but every single other mainline freight I ever see ever in Roseville runs with whatever. ACe, 70m, C44, C45, SD9043. UP will run it all on any train with the only restriction being SD70Ms don't have DPU.

[MikeInPlano]

Why the restriction on the number of powered axles?

[BaltACD]

MikeInPlano

Why the restriction on the number of powered axles?

Today's AC locomotives, in MU operation, easily have the ability to exert more drawbar pull than the draft gear, couplers and knuckles of the car fleet are designed to withstand.

[Lab]

Sounds like a good reason for distributed power