Could a short line use a steam engine in interchange service with a Class I?

[EMDGP40X]

Would a short line operator that would have to interchange with a Class I railroad be allowed to use a steam engine? In this scenario, the engine (whatever class you want to use), is fully capable of handling the tonnage without danger of stalling and the crew is fully trained and experienced. Could or would a major railroad tell the short line the steam engine is not allowed on their property?

[Juniatha]

As your wording already implies that decision clearly lies in the hands of the Class I operator since these are private enterprises in the US .   I don't know if and what legal options a short line operator would have to press through with using steam , provided , as you stated , there is no technical hindrance speaking against it .   The situation in Europe with national railways still having their thumb on mainline network such problems exist and are being handled according to the professionalism of the applicants and the broad mindedness or lack thereof on the opponent's side .   If turning down steam would lack backing up by sound reasoning and would carry signs of ‘discrimination’ ( of the applicant’s business , rather ) then the decision could be carried to court and acceptance might be fought through – non regarding if that would provide for a fruitful business correlation .

However , although technical engineering in principal is based on mathematics and mathematics as we all know are science of absolute precision there is a scope in technology for individual , subjective and personal options and views sometimes nothing less than amazing .   So , even if a private rail enterprise can lay down full documentation on overhaul – by official Meiningen workshop for instance – maintenance and running condition of an engine of a well proven , known class , sly people could find reasons hard to attack to prevent its use on a certain national networks line .   What is being used to overcome prejudice , hard heads or just unwilling opponents mostly are friendly personal contacts , or so it seems …

Regards

Juniatha

[henry6]

The answer is, "why not?" Could use a bicycle or a Jeep or a tractor as long as it meets technical and safety regulations. In fact, I believe Strasburg has done just that on several occasions over the years.

[ndbprr]

Yes. I don't remember the railroad but there Is or was one in central eastern Illinois that used a steam engine for day to day operations and there is the Strasburg railroad that connects to the PRR/NS main at Lehman Place east of Lancaster that uses steam. They used to run a train pulled by steam to Watt and Shan department store to deliver santa at Christmas. Don't know the route but a portion was on the PRR main. No shortline engine or train would be allowed on a class one without first obtaining clearance. From my limited knowledge an interchange track or tracks may be allowed if they don't require run around on the class 1.

[NorthWest]

First, a very big welcome to the forums!

As others have stated, the Strasburg RR does use steam to haul freight and interchange with other railroads, right next to the electrified Keystone Corridor. They can do this because, although certain types of things such as friction bearings are banned from interchange, the steam locomotives aren't actually interchanged.

Also, I like the screen name. I've seen a couple GP40Xs around lately (displaced by cleaner units in California) and they are always a special treat, numbering 6 on BNSF's roster of 8000+. Good looking units, too. 

[tomikawaTT]

In normal interchange operation, railroads exchange cars.  Motive power stays on its own rails.

That said, the Class 1 (or regional, or other short line) doesn't care what your short line uses to move cars.  I have seen everything from the latest and greatest to three women wearing blue polka-dot pajamas and conical bamboo hats* moving freight cars.  If you want to run a Golwe, a DuBosquet or even a Heilmann on your line, go for it.  Just don't run past whatever marker shows where track ownership changes.

*  Takasaki, Japan, 1964...  15 ton capacity 4-wheel car, possibly empty.  Looked like a flying switch that hadn't quite worked.

Chuck

[EMDGP40X]

I work for a railroad contractor and the last 4 years I have been on BNSF; have also worked on UP, NS, and CSXT.

It kind of bums me out to see SD40-2s/SD45-2s spending their remaining 'lives' as yard goats. I have a picture in my head of the 'older' engines telling the 'younger' power about the good old days of dragging trains through Cajon, Sand Patch, etc.

 

[Juniatha]

Is there emotion in diesel times ?   Looks pretty much like there is .

Beauty lies within what attracts your heart ..

So , it looks like there will be a time when we see an SD40-2 restored to better-than-new condition in untold hours of devotion and by help of uncounted amounts of $$ , beautifully painted after heated discussions about the robe , humming contently as if just recently out from factory ...?

Looking forward

Juniatha

[NorthWest]

At least two SD40-2s have been preserved already, and two Dash-8s. In my view, at least one of everything should be preserved.

My big few:

-Cascades set, with NPCU, Talgo, and F59PHi

-Dash 9-44CW in full Santa Fe warbonnet and BNSF Heritage II