Was watching a video on Youtube on UP's triple main in Nebraska and I saw motive power on the rear of container trains. Its a normal occurance on coal trains, and sometimes grain trains, but I have never seen it on container trains, how often does UP do this? Do not think BNSF does this on their transcon route.
And whats the top speed of on the Kearney district for hot container trains?
longhorn1969 Was watching a video on Youtube on UP's triple main in Nebraska and I saw motive power on the rear of container trains. Its a normal occurance on coal trains, and sometimes grain trains, but I have never seen it on container trains, how often does UP do this? Do not think BNSF does this on their transcon route. And whats the top speed of on the Kearney district for hot container trains?
Need to watch the Rochelle webcam - UP has DP on some of their intermodal trains passing the webcam. What their requirements are to have DP, I have no idea.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
UP likes using DP a lot on all types of trains. Even at times where if the engine would be up front, it would be isolated/shut down for fuel conservation. Just a guess, but I'd say about half the intermodals I see have a DP consist, either on the rear or mid-train.
Without looking, I think the Kearney Sub maximum speed is 70 mph.
Jeff
Many BNSF container trains on the southern transcon have DP on the end. My observation is that the length of the train is one determining factor.
Grades, tonnage, and temperature are other factors. Grades need no further explanation. I mention tonnage because some stack trains, particularly in the Pacific Northwest on BNSF, are known to haul containerized grain, hay, and other heavy goods headed for export. Trains hauling blocks of such containers will handle much differently than stack trains hauling mostly toys, clothing, consumer electronics, furniture, etc. In extreme winter cold, DPUs not only aid in the movement of intermodal trains up steep, slick hills, they more importantly provide an additional source of air for charging and releasing brakes across a mile or so of frigid, slow-flowing pipe. Higher-priority domestic intermodals operating as Z or Q symbols across BNSF's Northern Transcon often have a single DPU added to the rear during winter months.
Went to No Platte on a x-country drive about a month ago. Observed from the Golden Spike Tower that virtually all trains leaving the Bailey Yard sported a "Pusher!" UP retiree/attendant present confirmed.
Rochelle just had a WB stacker - 2 units on the point and 2 DP units on the rear.
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