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UPS bullet train

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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Thursday, August 7, 2003 12:39 PM
Hello everybody, I live along the Golden State Route in SW KS. The UPS bullet is called the GOLDEN STREAK. So far, I have seen 2 sections a day running through here in each direction. The top speed for this train is at 75 mph. Yes, the software upgrades will bring this up to 79. Most of the power that I have seen on it are the AC6000's. I don't know whether or not they run on CSX though. UP has a lot at stake here. I have heard through other sources, that this train is not to be delayed for anything. If this train is delayed by the dispatcher. The Dis. is fired on the spot. If UP delayes it one time, it goes back to BNSF. Since this route is single track, TWC, ABS signaling with siding CTC controlled out of Omaha. They are putting all other trains in the hole way before the bullet is even near. Case in point yesterday, I was watching and a stack train took the siding, he sat there for 45 minutes. This stack was a 70 mph train and he could have easily made the next siding which was only 14 miles away. I guess this UPS thing for the UP is a good thing so far. I have seen these trains at speed and oh my god, when they go by doing 75, its one of the best rushes you could have. They are only running about 3,500 ft. long, and about 3000 tons. With the 4 AC6000's on board, I don't think they are going to have any trouble keeping it going. I will get the symbol of this train later today. My source told me yesterday but I have slept since then so you know how that goes[:D]. I can't help but wonder, just like everyone else, how long will they do it? They are running from LA to the East coast in 4 days. That is simply mind boggling. Well if I hear anything else, I will let you know and feel free to drill me on this if anybody has any problems with what I said.

Laters, Dru
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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Thursday, August 7, 2003 12:39 PM
Hello everybody, I live along the Golden State Route in SW KS. The UPS bullet is called the GOLDEN STREAK. So far, I have seen 2 sections a day running through here in each direction. The top speed for this train is at 75 mph. Yes, the software upgrades will bring this up to 79. Most of the power that I have seen on it are the AC6000's. I don't know whether or not they run on CSX though. UP has a lot at stake here. I have heard through other sources, that this train is not to be delayed for anything. If this train is delayed by the dispatcher. The Dis. is fired on the spot. If UP delayes it one time, it goes back to BNSF. Since this route is single track, TWC, ABS signaling with siding CTC controlled out of Omaha. They are putting all other trains in the hole way before the bullet is even near. Case in point yesterday, I was watching and a stack train took the siding, he sat there for 45 minutes. This stack was a 70 mph train and he could have easily made the next siding which was only 14 miles away. I guess this UPS thing for the UP is a good thing so far. I have seen these trains at speed and oh my god, when they go by doing 75, its one of the best rushes you could have. They are only running about 3,500 ft. long, and about 3000 tons. With the 4 AC6000's on board, I don't think they are going to have any trouble keeping it going. I will get the symbol of this train later today. My source told me yesterday but I have slept since then so you know how that goes[:D]. I can't help but wonder, just like everyone else, how long will they do it? They are running from LA to the East coast in 4 days. That is simply mind boggling. Well if I hear anything else, I will let you know and feel free to drill me on this if anybody has any problems with what I said.

Laters, Dru
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 9:32 PM
Dru, do you know if they have a alternate route planned if something goes wrong on the track?? Are they going to be using the same engines or will they be rotating power?
TIM A
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 9:32 PM
Dru, do you know if they have a alternate route planned if something goes wrong on the track?? Are they going to be using the same engines or will they be rotating power?
TIM A
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 11:04 PM
Thanks for that highly informative reply, Favuprailroadfan (especially since I probably won't be seeing the train anytime soon). For the AC6000's you've been seeing on the train, have they been random numbers in the 7500-7579 class, only the latest series (7555-7559)? Do any CSX fans have any info as to the speed limit on CSX?

Another question - has anyone seen (or otherwise know) if UP switches out the power at McCook, IL either on the eastbound or westbound runs?

Last question for now - I read somewhere else that the UP power sits in Little Ferry, NJ or Kearney NJ from late Thursday night until early Tues. morning for the next Golden Streak departure - can anyone confirm this? A four and a half day period seems to be an incredibly long layover, especially since railroads are always striving for maximum utilization of power (especially 24,000 h.p. per set), and given that UPS is not even paying a premium for the service. If UPS was willing to pay a surcharge for this service, the layover (if in fact this is the case) would seem much more reasonable.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 11:04 PM
Thanks for that highly informative reply, Favuprailroadfan (especially since I probably won't be seeing the train anytime soon). For the AC6000's you've been seeing on the train, have they been random numbers in the 7500-7579 class, only the latest series (7555-7559)? Do any CSX fans have any info as to the speed limit on CSX?

Another question - has anyone seen (or otherwise know) if UP switches out the power at McCook, IL either on the eastbound or westbound runs?

Last question for now - I read somewhere else that the UP power sits in Little Ferry, NJ or Kearney NJ from late Thursday night until early Tues. morning for the next Golden Streak departure - can anyone confirm this? A four and a half day period seems to be an incredibly long layover, especially since railroads are always striving for maximum utilization of power (especially 24,000 h.p. per set), and given that UPS is not even paying a premium for the service. If UPS was willing to pay a surcharge for this service, the layover (if in fact this is the case) would seem much more reasonable.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 12:34 AM
I just wittnesed one of the five bullet trains shut through erie,Pa about 12:30 PM. Up-CSX are useing Ge Ac 6000cw's and Ac 4400cw"s, because 4 ac4400's came by this thursday at 72mph all UP's eastbound Q100. Estbounds have UP units and westbounds have csx power, guessing. 1 bullet train and 4 regular fast east-westbounds each week. And REMOTE locomotives are bull sh!!, they take away jobs and they make operating a pain and the BLE is ticked about it anyways.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 12:34 AM
I just wittnesed one of the five bullet trains shut through erie,Pa about 12:30 PM. Up-CSX are useing Ge Ac 6000cw's and Ac 4400cw"s, because 4 ac4400's came by this thursday at 72mph all UP's eastbound Q100. Estbounds have UP units and westbounds have csx power, guessing. 1 bullet train and 4 regular fast east-westbounds each week. And REMOTE locomotives are bull sh!!, they take away jobs and they make operating a pain and the BLE is ticked about it anyways.
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Posted by oltmannd on Friday, August 8, 2003 1:35 PM
I can't imagine the max speed on CSX is anything other than 70 mph. That's all the signal spacing will allow. Conrail downgraded to 60 mph in order to save some fuel and track maintenance costs, but CSX restored the 70 mph running after the merger. I do wonder what UP did to get allowable speeds over 70 mph, as that is max frt speed for class 5 track. I really doubt they're maintaining class 6 track as that is huge $$. The altenative is to get a waiver from the FRA for the particular circumstances. Anybody know what they did? Or, are they just winging it (pun intended)

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by oltmannd on Friday, August 8, 2003 1:35 PM
I can't imagine the max speed on CSX is anything other than 70 mph. That's all the signal spacing will allow. Conrail downgraded to 60 mph in order to save some fuel and track maintenance costs, but CSX restored the 70 mph running after the merger. I do wonder what UP did to get allowable speeds over 70 mph, as that is max frt speed for class 5 track. I really doubt they're maintaining class 6 track as that is huge $$. The altenative is to get a waiver from the FRA for the particular circumstances. Anybody know what they did? Or, are they just winging it (pun intended)

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 6:39 PM
Originally posted by Mr. Frank

The article in Sept. '03 Trains on UPS Bullet Train is great!

The internet searches I've done so far indicate that the UP AC6000's are the standard power even on CSX. Can anyone confirm this? If this is not the case, what other power has been reported on these trains?
[/ quote]Have seen only once 5AM on a thurs. All UP AC6000's (4) pulling approx 25
loads, eastbound Rochester NY. Lot of power short train. Stay safe Mark
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 6:39 PM
Originally posted by Mr. Frank

The article in Sept. '03 Trains on UPS Bullet Train is great!

The internet searches I've done so far indicate that the UP AC6000's are the standard power even on CSX. Can anyone confirm this? If this is not the case, what other power has been reported on these trains?
[/ quote]Have seen only once 5AM on a thurs. All UP AC6000's (4) pulling approx 25
loads, eastbound Rochester NY. Lot of power short train. Stay safe Mark
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Posted by locgg2020 on Friday, August 8, 2003 7:06 PM
Four day transcon makes good publicity and make ups happy,but operationally killing every train on your railroad for 1 train will not pay the bills.It is sorta like Death Valley Scotties train it makes good records and is great publicity . Chris Roberts and Dave Fealy know from experiance that killing every other train and causing that much delay will not pay the bills.
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Posted by locgg2020 on Friday, August 8, 2003 7:06 PM
Four day transcon makes good publicity and make ups happy,but operationally killing every train on your railroad for 1 train will not pay the bills.It is sorta like Death Valley Scotties train it makes good records and is great publicity . Chris Roberts and Dave Fealy know from experiance that killing every other train and causing that much delay will not pay the bills.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 7:51 PM
They are actually running from LA to the Chicago in 41.5 hours. They have less than one (1) hour of layover time from start to finish. The actual "bullet trains" run through Chicago without yarding, the other four trains are yarded by UP at Canal Street and CSX at 59th Street. The trailers are rubbered between the two yards on city streets. It would seem to me that they just put the power on and run it through the fuel rack with the train on it, just switching crews along the way. It would be interesting to see what kind of money UPS IS putting up for this kind of speed.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 7:51 PM
They are actually running from LA to the Chicago in 41.5 hours. They have less than one (1) hour of layover time from start to finish. The actual "bullet trains" run through Chicago without yarding, the other four trains are yarded by UP at Canal Street and CSX at 59th Street. The trailers are rubbered between the two yards on city streets. It would seem to me that they just put the power on and run it through the fuel rack with the train on it, just switching crews along the way. It would be interesting to see what kind of money UPS IS putting up for this kind of speed.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:19 PM
I must of missed that, that CSX brought the speeds of Conrail back. The pig trains have no problem running the 79 m.p.h. on the former Conrail Lakeshore. At 80 m.p.h. the FRA requires cab signals. I have been watching and listening for the Q-100 and the Q-153 through the Erie, Pa., area with no luck yet.
If you look at the times these trains are trying to maintain, the old Erie-Lackwanna set the standard, keep these times and beat it most of the time. If you wanted track time for a few minutes in front of one of these hotshots on the old EL and one of these trains were within 100 miles, forget it.
It will be interesting to see how long UP can keep this pace up..
Be safe.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:19 PM
I must of missed that, that CSX brought the speeds of Conrail back. The pig trains have no problem running the 79 m.p.h. on the former Conrail Lakeshore. At 80 m.p.h. the FRA requires cab signals. I have been watching and listening for the Q-100 and the Q-153 through the Erie, Pa., area with no luck yet.
If you look at the times these trains are trying to maintain, the old Erie-Lackwanna set the standard, keep these times and beat it most of the time. If you wanted track time for a few minutes in front of one of these hotshots on the old EL and one of these trains were within 100 miles, forget it.
It will be interesting to see how long UP can keep this pace up..
Be safe.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:37 PM
This doesn't directly deal with the topic but it's nostalgia. Put up w/ it from an old f**t. I worked my way thru college in Pittsbugh loading trucks on an evening shift for UPS. UPS has a tendency to get what it wants. When I first started with them in '63 they went no further west than a 5 mile perimeter into Ohio (Got them Youngstown) Over time they expanded West. It amazes me that there not just national but global today. They tried to recruit many of us into manager trainee ranks. ROTC got me into Army just in time for Viet-Nam. Got out went into teaching for the big bucks. Wonder where I would have gone & how many ulcers I'd have had, if I had hired on w/ UPS. We students had to join the Union, Local 249 of Teamsters even tho' we were pt. time. Local 249 gave UPS fits. They moved their entire hub to new Stanton just to get out from under them.
Pennsy: the standard railroad of the world.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 8:37 PM
This doesn't directly deal with the topic but it's nostalgia. Put up w/ it from an old f**t. I worked my way thru college in Pittsbugh loading trucks on an evening shift for UPS. UPS has a tendency to get what it wants. When I first started with them in '63 they went no further west than a 5 mile perimeter into Ohio (Got them Youngstown) Over time they expanded West. It amazes me that there not just national but global today. They tried to recruit many of us into manager trainee ranks. ROTC got me into Army just in time for Viet-Nam. Got out went into teaching for the big bucks. Wonder where I would have gone & how many ulcers I'd have had, if I had hired on w/ UPS. We students had to join the Union, Local 249 of Teamsters even tho' we were pt. time. Local 249 gave UPS fits. They moved their entire hub to new Stanton just to get out from under them.
Pennsy: the standard railroad of the world.
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Posted by craig4 on Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:27 AM
I live on the UP Golden state main line in Hutchinson, Ks. This is where the UPS train enters BNSF trackage ( 2 blocks from my work) heading east to KC, and of course leaving BNSF trackage to EL Paso. I saw the Westbound train , missed the power, thru here apx 2:30PM Central Time last Wed Aug 6th. According to the time table in Trains that may have been a little late. Am trying to document when it travels thru my area. Will be interesting. Loved the Trains article on this service. Craig Johnson
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Posted by craig4 on Saturday, August 9, 2003 11:27 AM
I live on the UP Golden state main line in Hutchinson, Ks. This is where the UPS train enters BNSF trackage ( 2 blocks from my work) heading east to KC, and of course leaving BNSF trackage to EL Paso. I saw the Westbound train , missed the power, thru here apx 2:30PM Central Time last Wed Aug 6th. According to the time table in Trains that may have been a little late. Am trying to document when it travels thru my area. Will be interesting. Loved the Trains article on this service. Craig Johnson
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 8:18 PM
As Dru's source (favup) the Wednesday train is the fastest of them at 75, the others just cruise at 70. The last couple of trains I have seen have 3 70s on them. They do a rollby inspection at Pratt with the train sitting there at the depot for about 15 minutes. As he had mentioned they put everything on the siding for these trains. The UP symbols that I have for these trains are the ZLACS/ZCSLA. The power varies from day to day on this train. It can be a solid set of the new AC44CTEs to SD70Ms to AC60CWs.

Chris ~ Forever Espee
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 9, 2003 8:18 PM
As Dru's source (favup) the Wednesday train is the fastest of them at 75, the others just cruise at 70. The last couple of trains I have seen have 3 70s on them. They do a rollby inspection at Pratt with the train sitting there at the depot for about 15 minutes. As he had mentioned they put everything on the siding for these trains. The UP symbols that I have for these trains are the ZLACS/ZCSLA. The power varies from day to day on this train. It can be a solid set of the new AC44CTEs to SD70Ms to AC60CWs.

Chris ~ Forever Espee
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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:05 AM
Dear Chris, I thought that you didn't like trains.com???? But I guess I told you about this subject and you got interested. I have saw the solid set of UP's CTE4400's through on the bullet, just last week as a matter of fact. The guy that lives in Hutchinson, the timing sounds about right for the STREAK to go through there. It usually comes through Kismet around 6:00 to 6:30. The regular UPS Z's have normal power on them. The main bullet train runs with the UP power all the way. I don't know whether or not they allow the train to sit for that long. I mean when Liberal had tha car department here, they didn't take that long to inspect them and get them out of town. We are talking about a BPLBX that would be 8000 ft. long and it would only take them 15 minutes to inspect it. The bullet is only running maybe 3000 ft. long and it should take them no more than ten. I have a feeling that this topic is going to go on for awhile. But if there is anybody out there who has the best information, me and Chris would really appreciate it because we are thinking about doing a website on this operation. But there is one thing that baffles me Chris. There was a westbound Rack train sitting in the siding in Kismet. He released his warrant around 3:30, he then contacted Dis. 11 on the west end and got authority to Optima after one arrived. I left Kismet at 6:10 and he was still sitting there, and I never heard anything from either one of the trains. Plus, when I went into Liberal, I never saw him. If anybody has a scanner and wants to listen in on the GSR and possibly the bullet. I will go ahead and give you the Freq. to this line. 1. 160.320 AAR 1414 2. 161.550 AAR 9696. These are the 2 main channels that UP uses for the GSR. Plus if you want to listen to the BNSF through there. I believe the freq. is 160.650. Don't hold me to that. Well I guess that if you guys have anything else. Let me know and tell me where I screwed up. HAHA. Chris I should be home around 4 tomorrow if you want to head out anywhere. I should be able to get some money, but don't go to the races in Liberal. They don't have any Sprint Cars. That sucks. So I will give you a call and lets see what we can do.

Laters, Dru
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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:05 AM
Dear Chris, I thought that you didn't like trains.com???? But I guess I told you about this subject and you got interested. I have saw the solid set of UP's CTE4400's through on the bullet, just last week as a matter of fact. The guy that lives in Hutchinson, the timing sounds about right for the STREAK to go through there. It usually comes through Kismet around 6:00 to 6:30. The regular UPS Z's have normal power on them. The main bullet train runs with the UP power all the way. I don't know whether or not they allow the train to sit for that long. I mean when Liberal had tha car department here, they didn't take that long to inspect them and get them out of town. We are talking about a BPLBX that would be 8000 ft. long and it would only take them 15 minutes to inspect it. The bullet is only running maybe 3000 ft. long and it should take them no more than ten. I have a feeling that this topic is going to go on for awhile. But if there is anybody out there who has the best information, me and Chris would really appreciate it because we are thinking about doing a website on this operation. But there is one thing that baffles me Chris. There was a westbound Rack train sitting in the siding in Kismet. He released his warrant around 3:30, he then contacted Dis. 11 on the west end and got authority to Optima after one arrived. I left Kismet at 6:10 and he was still sitting there, and I never heard anything from either one of the trains. Plus, when I went into Liberal, I never saw him. If anybody has a scanner and wants to listen in on the GSR and possibly the bullet. I will go ahead and give you the Freq. to this line. 1. 160.320 AAR 1414 2. 161.550 AAR 9696. These are the 2 main channels that UP uses for the GSR. Plus if you want to listen to the BNSF through there. I believe the freq. is 160.650. Don't hold me to that. Well I guess that if you guys have anything else. Let me know and tell me where I screwed up. HAHA. Chris I should be home around 4 tomorrow if you want to head out anywhere. I should be able to get some money, but don't go to the races in Liberal. They don't have any Sprint Cars. That sucks. So I will give you a call and lets see what we can do.

Laters, Dru
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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:17 AM
Mr. Frank, well to tell you the truth, I beleive that they are running the newer series 6000's. Most of the time, they flash by you so quick, that it is hard to catch all the numbers. About the only way to really get the numbers is if you pace the train and hope that a cop doesn't find you. Out here on the plains of SW KS, we have some distance between towns. So it isn't that hard to keep up with it. But of the ones that I have saw are in the 7500's. And Targubright, I am really not sure as to how they would reroute this train. Personally if it was me, I would reroute it over the BNSF, but see the thing is. If BNSF causes a delay to this train and not run it how UP is, BNSF is subject to a penalty or fine, I am not quite for sure as to who takes care of that. I will do some checking on it and see what I can find out for you. So good luck in seeing the Golden Streak, it is well worth the wait. Laters, Dru
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Posted by favuprailroadfan on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:17 AM
Mr. Frank, well to tell you the truth, I beleive that they are running the newer series 6000's. Most of the time, they flash by you so quick, that it is hard to catch all the numbers. About the only way to really get the numbers is if you pace the train and hope that a cop doesn't find you. Out here on the plains of SW KS, we have some distance between towns. So it isn't that hard to keep up with it. But of the ones that I have saw are in the 7500's. And Targubright, I am really not sure as to how they would reroute this train. Personally if it was me, I would reroute it over the BNSF, but see the thing is. If BNSF causes a delay to this train and not run it how UP is, BNSF is subject to a penalty or fine, I am not quite for sure as to who takes care of that. I will do some checking on it and see what I can find out for you. So good luck in seeing the Golden Streak, it is well worth the wait. Laters, Dru
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 9:44 AM
Dru, you Sir, have been very helpful, Thank you.
TIM A
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 9:44 AM
Dru, you Sir, have been very helpful, Thank you.
TIM A

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