Dan, about our SD38-2s:
One of the first things UP did after merging us was take six of our ten SD38-2s and move them to North Platte (in fact, one of those units was the first CNW unit to be renumbered into the UP system). We later got one of them back, and also received a rebuilt (from an SD40-2) SD38-2. So there are currently six SD38-2s assigned to Proviso hump service, four of which are on the hump jobs at any given time. The computer doesn't offer any suggestions as to where the other two might be hiding, but they don't get too far away--maybe to pulldown jobs.
Five of North Platte's hump engines are still ex-CNW units. They may be favored because they have one brake cylinder per wheel.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
nanaimo73 wrote: CShaveRR wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9.Hi, Dale!Sorry, I didn't get this message until this evening, after work and a birthday party (little lids can wear you out if you're anywhere in a room or a backyard with them--all you have to do is watch them).Thanks Carl. Is there anything else we can find after it has passed Brian?
CShaveRR wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9.Hi, Dale!Sorry, I didn't get this message until this evening, after work and a birthday party (little lids can wear you out if you're anywhere in a room or a backyard with them--all you have to do is watch them).
nanaimo73 wrote: Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9.
UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9.
Hi, Dale!
Sorry, I didn't get this message until this evening, after work and a birthday party (little lids can wear you out if you're anywhere in a room or a backyard with them--all you have to do is watch them).
Thanks Carl. Is there anything else we can find after it has passed Brian?
Most of the time it doesn't matter- since I'm not retired yet, I can't get trackside at the drop of a hat (as much as I'd like to), and then there are days like today, when I'm posting from Prior Lake, MN...
On an unrelated note, made my way up to downtown Minneapolis yesterday, where my dad and I met Los_Angeles_Rams_Guy for lunch and and hour or so of watching the (in-)activity in Northtown Yard. I've got some interesting pictures to share from there and also from Valley Park, where I did some "drive-by" shooting...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
CShaveRR wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? Has it passed Cedar Rapids yet? UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9. ASSUMPTION: They will get set out at Roseville.Hi, Dale!Sorry, I didn't get this message until this evening, after work and a birthday party (little lids can wear you out if you're anywhere in a room or a backyard with them--all you have to do is watch them). And today's IG2OA just passed Beverly within the last hour or so. The route trace doesn't include locomotives, but if they're on it, I'm sure they'll be set out at Roseville, if not sooner.We humped with UPY 898 on the night of June 1. It was in the company of one of our regular units (different remote systems, IIRC). It was running (stack covers up on two of the three engines), but I couldn't hear it over the SD38-2.
nanaimo73 wrote: Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? Has it passed Cedar Rapids yet? UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9. ASSUMPTION: They will get set out at Roseville.
UP RP20SD's UPY 897, 898, and 899 were scheduled to leave Proviso (Chicago) today on stack train IG2OA, scheduled into Oakland on June 9. ASSUMPTION: They will get set out at Roseville.
Sorry, I didn't get this message until this evening, after work and a birthday party (little lids can wear you out if you're anywhere in a room or a backyard with them--all you have to do is watch them). And today's IG2OA just passed Beverly within the last hour or so. The route trace doesn't include locomotives, but if they're on it, I'm sure they'll be set out at Roseville, if not sooner.
We humped with UPY 898 on the night of June 1. It was in the company of one of our regular units (different remote systems, IIRC). It was running (stack covers up on two of the three engines), but I couldn't hear it over the SD38-2.
So the SD38s are still seeing service in the hump yard? Are they mainly there or do they get out once in a while?
Dan
Mookie wrote: Ahem. I feel like I am in a Gentlemens Club - Oh - that's right - this whole forum is kind of that way isn't it? Anyway - I have a question - and thought maybe posting it in here I will not only get an answer from BC, but maybe some input from others.I have asked this before, gotten answers but still or fast losing memory cells.Watched the KCPL train headed west today. Cars all had 4400 Cu Ft stenciled on them.But the LT WT on each was different. 218900, 241800, 243900, 219000 etc. (One of the car #'s was 91101, BC)So.....if the capacity is 4400 CU Ft on each one - why the difference in LT Wt from one car to the next. Would it be the inner reinforcements differ from car to car or year to year? One has more/less paint, one has more/less ribbing - I am at a loss....Mookie
Oh - that's right - this whole forum is kind of that way isn't it?
Anyway - I have a question - and thought maybe posting it in here I will not only get an answer from BC, but maybe some input from others.
I have asked this before, gotten answers but still or fast losing memory cells.
Watched the KCPL train headed west today. Cars all had 4400 Cu Ft stenciled on them.
But the LT WT on each was different. 218900, 241800, 243900, 219000 etc. (One of the car #'s was 91101, BC)
So.....if the capacity is 4400 CU Ft on each one - why the difference in LT Wt from one car to the next. Would it be the inner reinforcements differ from car to car or year to year? One has more/less paint, one has more/less ribbing - I am at a loss....
Mookie
Thanks, SJ, I think...but judging from billboards I see in northwestern Indiana, "gentlemen's clubs" are euphemisms for places that provide entertainment slightly more "adult" than would be permitted here! I suspect that the last thing you'd find there would be a gentleman.
I take it you saw a train with cars that had different dates, but not different sizes. The figures you quoted would have been for load limits, not light weights. I think to understand what was happening there, you should have looked at the real light weights (bottom line) instead of the load limits (top line). The cars with load limits of around 219000 pounds were stencilled for a gross rail load of 263000 pounds--so their light weight would have been 44000 pounds. The cars with a load limit around 242000 pounds were stencilled for a gross rail load of 286000 pounds--and their light weight would have been around 44000 pounds. That explains how it was divided into the two groupings of load limits that you witnessed.
What we've said before (and it bears repeating) that within a given order of cars, weight will often vary by a few hundred pounds between individual cars. This is not at all surprising, since carbuilding isn't necessarily a precise science, and component weights could vary from car to car.
Now, the reality is that your freight cars probably were all loaded to the higher load limits. Most aluminum coal cars of that size (at 4400 cubic feet they were gondolas; hoppers would have been smaller), even if the load limit reflected a gross rail load of 263K, will have small stencilling on them saying "car designed for 286000 lb. GRL", or words to that effect. So loading them to the higher weight, in order to maintain consistency throughout the train and maximize efficiency, would be perfectly safe. These cars were built before the Association of American Railroads permitted the 286000-pound gross rail load, but they knew it was coming. Newer cars, built after 286K was approved, would have the higher load limits.
KCLX 91101...remember the lesson I gave you once about some company's numbering systems? I suspect that this car was built or ordered in 1991, which would have been before 286K, hence with one of the lower load limits.
Your gentleman Forum brother,
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Ahem. I feel like I am in a Gentlemens Club -
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Noah Hofrichter wrote: TimChgo9 wrote:Anyway, sometimes I wish I had better knowledge of what was coming my way, so I could position myself better. I think that's the wish of most every railfan! Every once and a while we get tips to know what to expect, but most of the time it's just sort fo a blind hunt for whatever's out there, and you don't know until it shows up. I definately know what you mean, as I've done the same thing. [
TimChgo9 wrote:Anyway, sometimes I wish I had better knowledge of what was coming my way, so I could position myself better.
I think that's the wish of most every railfan! Every once and a while we get tips to know what to expect, but most of the time it's just sort fo a blind hunt for whatever's out there, and you don't know until it shows up. I definately know what you mean, as I've done the same thing.
[
Sometimes, the IHB can be a good place to catch the unusual, especially with power moves. About 3 weeks ago or so, I caught a move of BNSF locomotives, and followed them up the spur to Congress Park, but I couldn't get in a good position to catch the 2 SD60M's that were in in the lead. The combination of bad timing, and lousy weather kind of hampered the photo opportunity.
Close listening to the scanner has revealed things for me in the past, but on most of those occasions, I was tied up at home with domestic stuff, and unable to leave. On other occasions, I caught trains that I didn't expect, especially the one on the BNSF that was all Army equipment, including several flat cars of M-1 tanks and Bradley IFV's. About 15 years ago, there was the circus train, and another train with West German military equipment on board. I guess it's a matter of luck for the most part.
Nice shot, Noah, I love the way you captured the locomotives just coming into the curve. I love getting photos like that when I can, but I am best when I am out alone trying to get those.
I think that's the wish of most every railfan! Every once and a while we get tips to know what to expect, but most of the time it's just sort fo a blind hunt for whatever's out there, and you don't know until it shows up. I definately know what you mean, as I've done the same thing. Such as with this shot:
There are actually about 7 locomotives on the head of this train, but not knowing to expect that I didn't set up far enough over so one could see most of the engines. Still not a terrible shot I don't think, but it could have been better.
I haven't posted in a while, but now that school's finally out (woo-hoo!) I've been getting caught up on photo processing and website updates. I added a few new shots to Badger Rails in a couple of albums. First up was from a trip I made to the Wisconsin and Southern yard in Madison a few weeks ago that found the freshly shopped WSOR 103 (former 10C that they renumbered and added ditchlights to), along with a couple of bandits. They are the last four pictures in this album:
http://badgerrails.webng.com/photos/wsor/madison.html
And last Sunday I also had a chance to (finally) go railfanning again over on the CP around Portage. Those photos are the last seven shots in this album:
http://badgerrails.webng.com/photos/cp/tomahsub.html
Noah
Carl, can you do a trace on this (from Loconotes)? Has it passed Cedar Rapids yet?
thanks. i'd like that boxcar more if it at least had a ball and bar on the upper right. heh heh
I need more of those hoppers up here. or especially a model of one!
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
Thanks for checking up on the place, Max. I'm usually busy or, in this case, in need of some reviving myself! I've been at the mercy of the extra board for the past week; thankfully I return to my day job tomorrow. Were it not for the rain starting early, I'd probably be outside mowing the rest of the lawn.
Thanks for posting the photos, both of the power and the CNW freight cars. Each of those covered hoppers is worthy of a little comment sometime. The most exotic car to me, though, is the red RBL next to the pristine green covered hopper--it was one of 140 cars or so that had originally carried large markings for the Ralston Purina Company.
As for good business, we lucked out this morning: Pat and I walked to the village's outdoor market; on the way back we were blocked by three freight trains (westbound manifest, eastbound coal with DPU, and eastbound stack), making good use of all of the tracks through town. The stack train was the only one that didn't have too many flat wheels for us to hear the distinctive noise set up by the wheels going over track freshly treated by the rail-grinding train last Saturday.
What? no posts for over 4 days? Time to revive the place!
Action in Altoona remains unusually high lately. And I've been enjoying every minute of it!
3 of the infamous dime-a-dozen UP SD70Ms sitting around awaiting their next crew. I can't tell you how much I wish the third unit was UP 4033
Now THIS is an ex-CNW I can enjoy. Yessir, C44-9Ws have finally made landfall here in Altoona. And now I also finally have gotten a good photo of one (yeah yeah don't focus on the clouds. I take what I can get ) And the SD70M was also a new addition to my roster, which is always good news for me!
This unit was part of the consist in the previous photo. But I guess it's now freight for the next vipper to take to Proviso. Maybe it needs servicing?
Now lately I noticed I haven't been posting much for CNW rolling stock pics. But after today, I have a great reason to start up again!
This would be about the 3rd or 4th of these hoppers I have seen in Altoona thus far. Discluding the ones in UP grey. But I flat out don't shoot those anymore.
I've seen this betonite hopper once before, but hey it was there and they don't show up often.
Now THIS is what made me decide to post these pics again. Check out that green hopper! crisp clear logos and lettering and no grafitti whatsoever! I have never seen a hopper in such fantastic condition like this before! And I hope this won't be the last!
And if that wasn't enough, I found this little gem sitting on a cut of rolling stock far to the East. At last I have a close-up shot of one of these!
Thanks, Carl. Yeah, things are pretty much back to normal here.
I was in Chi-town for my 52nd? Boy, my CRS disease is kicking in. I'll have to review my pics when I get home tonight and figure out what we did- was that the trip where I provided your ride out of work?
Ouch! Good thing we didn't come as far west as Cedar Rapids in the past couple of days--I thought about calling you, Brian, but realized that we wouldn't have time, or what time we had wouldn't be right for you (but I'd thought you'd be at work!). Hope you're feeling better.
Chris, we do have a house guest from eastern Pennsylvania. He's not anyone from the Forum community, but is a freight-car freak (more serious and competent than I) whom I've known for almost 25 years. He leaves tomorrow, so Pat and I can finally catch up on things needing doing around the house.
Another product of Lunch Break Post Processing:
I know, I know...it's not a railroad shot. Union Station is visible, though! I wish the storm that was provided my background "lighting" would have been a just a little further west so I could have caught a few more bolts (when this thing was rolling, it was producing several strikes per second), but it was still good to catch this sky filling bolt.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
Good shots as always, Tim. I like the CN shot a lot. It has a nice industrial feel to it.
Carl, are you playing host, or just taking the time to enjoy railroading at some neat places?
Looks like a couple of old Soo Line box cars.
The middle two (of four) IHB tracks are the main lines; I'm not sure what the track opposite "21" is called. CREATE would probably make a third main track out of the 21 Track.
Just got back from a two-day jaunt that included train-watching in Galesburg and at IC&E's Nahant Yard near the Quad Cities. Train counts on BNSF were disappointing, but UP east of Rochelle came through for us.
Tomorrow we're at Blue Island, and possibly Dolton.
TimChgo9 wrote: Larry: There is 3 tracks in the bottom photo too.... over to the right the other side of the CN train, it's just the distortion of zooming in makes it look like there is only two. On a second look, it does look like 2 old boxcars and a tank car....
Larry: There is 3 tracks in the bottom photo too.... over to the right the other side of the CN train, it's just the distortion of zooming in makes it look like there is only two.
On a second look, it does look like 2 old boxcars and a tank car....
I didn't even notice the fourth track in the first picture. The confusion still reigns, however, as the top picture now has four tracks, but the bottom picture only has three....
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Al - That almost looks like two old boxcars and a tank car.
You had me going there for a minute. In the top photo there are clearly three tracks. The bottom photo only shows two, except for the v e r y e n d of the switch points and the switch target.
Here is a couple of "bridge shots" from my photo outing yesterday.
Looking at the photo, look to the left, near the factory... it would appear (and I didn't notice this until today) that there is an old box car and tank car up against the wall of the factory. I don't think there is a an active siding on the left (that would be off of track "21" on the left side of the train, that track goes to Proviso Yard) side over there, but then, I wasn't paying close attention, and may not have noticed one. It looks to be, perhaps, an old "Soo Line" car, but it's hard to tell.
These were taken, by the way, from the 22nd Street bridge in Westchester. I caught this train coming up from the south. It was a pretty busy morning over all, but I was unable to get any more decent photos.
I think that I am going to try to get over by that business and see if I can get some photos of the old cars (if that's what they are).
Noah:
Great photos, thanks for sharing.... I thought Franklin Parks Railroad Daze was not until the first week of June..... Oh boy, I am going to catch it once my son finds out we missed it.....
The boys on the WSOR at Horicon sure do some nice work. Though the MoPac heritage unit is starting to look a little down if you look at it closely, but it was mostly in the decals, not the paint.
It's been a while since I've posted in here, but school has kept me busy (only 13 more days!). I come offering photos though. Saturday I made the trip down with a few friends to Chicago and Franklin Park Railroad Daze. We took Metra in from Harvard, IL, just for the experience. Photos can be found on my (fairly new) website here:
http://badgerrails.webng.com/photos/chicago/chicago.html For the full effect of a "trip report" I'd suggest starting with the first photo and working your way though with the "next" button. I really enjoyed the trip a lot, both the Metra ride and Railroad Daze. It's an interesting line up of equipment to see, though I don't know if I'd make a special trip all the way down from up here for it. But since we were planning on being in the area anyway it was well worth the side trip.
Enjoy!
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