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Servicing Another Railroad Locomotives

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  • Member since
    February 2016
  • From: Texas
  • 1,552 posts
Servicing Another Railroad Locomotives
Posted by PJS1 on Friday, July 12, 2024 9:22 PM

BNSF has a locomotive service facility at Temple, TX.  I understand it can perform a varity of maintenance services, including changing a motor.

In addition to servicing BNSF locomotives, the facility services other road's locomotives, i.e., Norfolk Southern, Ferromex, UP, etc. 

How would BNSF's cost of servicing another road's locomotive be passed to it?  Would it be cost, with the understanding that if NS, as an example, services a BNSF locomotive, it would also be at cost, or would the railroad performing the service bake a profit into the service?  

Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Friday, July 12, 2024 9:33 PM

I am sure they could but most of the time it would be returned to the owning Railroad towed DIC.  If it needs say a tracton motor replaced due to it failing an locking up a blank aka dummy wheel and axle will be used.  Most railroads unless the power is leased by them will only do the minimum required by the FRA to keep them running a 24 hour check.  Beyond that you can bet they want it off the property unless they damaged it and are paying for the repairs.  

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, July 12, 2024 10:17 PM

To me, you're talking about two different things. 

When I think of servicing, it's fuel, water and oil.  Also making light running repairs such as changing out bad air hoses, brake shoes, etc.  The thing needed to make it movable and/or usable.  The items replaced, like brake shoes, are probably covered by an agreed to uniform pricing list.  (The same for freight cars.)  BNSF bills UP or NS for such items.

Really large repairs probably get the unit shipped back to the owner for repair.  BNSF would probably only do repairs needed to make it safe to move to the home road.

Jeff  

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, July 12, 2024 10:47 PM

jeffhergert
To me, you're talking about two different things. 

When I think of servicing, it's fuel, water and oil.  Also making light running repairs such as changing out bad air hoses, brake shoes, etc.  The thing needed to make it movable and/or usable.  The items replaced, like brake shoes, are probably covered by an agreed to uniform pricing list.  (The same for freight cars.)  BNSF bills UP or NS for such items.

Really large repairs probably get the unit shipped back to the owner for repair.  BNSF would probably only do repairs needed to make it safe to move to the home road.

Jeff  

In the Car Service Rules there is a section that details the charges that apply to car repairs that routinely made, brake shoes, air hose, brake valves, resevoirs, wheel sets, springs etc. etc. etc.  There are also rules about when a car is to be returned to the Owner as a Home Shop.  There are standard charges for various standard repairs.

There is a similar set of rules that apply to motive power among the carriers.  As Jeff says, foreign lines will make such running repairs as necessary to keep a unit operating; however, if there are major malfunctions (prime mover, electronics, PTC equipment etc.) they are sent back to the owner to remedy the issues.  There are also standard charges for standard repairs. 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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