MR

This is coming your way in early April. You don't see this everyday or ever for that matter.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOOSHrr7 ... re=related



Details:
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/h ... agle.shtml

Haha, I used to work for the UP. Rode behind the 844 many times. She is loud and dusty, but it is quite a sight to see; definitely gets your attention.

Rockindeano wrote:Haha, I used to work for the UP. Rode behind the 844 many times. She is loud and dusty, but it is quite a sight to see; definitely gets your attention.

That is cool man, I have seen it in action a few times and standing there by a crossing as she blows by at 70 really is something, sure is powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSj47ps3j8&feature=fvw

LtVanish wrote:This is coming your way in early April. You don't see this everyday or ever for that matter.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOOSHrr7 ... re=related



Details:
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/h ... agle.shtml

Cool! I'd like to see that. Thanks for the info!

LtVanish wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:Haha, I used to work for the UP. Rode behind the 844 many times. She is loud and dusty, but it is quite a sight to see; definitely gets your attention.

That is cool man, I have seen it in action a few times and standing there by a crossing as she blows by at 70 really is something, sure is powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSj47ps3j8&feature=fvw

She doesn't get out as much as the 3985 does. The 3985 does doubleheaders with the SP4449 all the time out west.

Rockindeano wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:Haha, I used to work for the UP. Rode behind the 844 many times. She is loud and dusty, but it is quite a sight to see; definitely gets your attention.

That is cool man, I have seen it in action a few times and standing there by a crossing as she blows by at 70 really is something, sure is powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSj47ps3j8&feature=fvw

She doesn't get out as much as the 3985 does. The 3985 does doubleheaders with the SP4449 all the time out west.

I rode behind the 4449 last summer from Minnesota to Chicago, it was a blast. One of the funnest trips I've been on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXtablz9OxM&NR=1

ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

That's all we need - a bloody train spotters clique with Deano as the Fat Controller

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

Choo Choo's?

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

There is no question that the 844 is a giant of the rails. I stood next to its 80" drive wheels, it really is a massive machine. I was looking at its stats as well a while back and the thing weighs 450 tons! It can consume up to 25 gallons of #5 Oil a mile, also can evaporate 200 gallons of water a mile! That truely is hard to even imagine. Basically 5000 horse power from a fire, got to love it! It really is impressive how big these steam engines were at the end of the steam era.

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

Good thing, im sure you misspelled alot of shit, which I dont tolerate

stevew2 wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

Good thing, im sure you misspelled alot of shit, which I dont tolerate

I didn't misspell anything. Natalie hasn't been in here to grade my work yet. I think I'm ok.

Rockindeano wrote:

stevew2 wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

Good thing, im sure you misspelled alot of shit, which I dont tolerate

I didn't misspell anything. Natalie hasn't been in here to grade my work yet. I think I'm ok.

By the way get your prostate checked,its real important. My doctor checked mine last week,it wasnt that bad, she is hot to.

Rockindeano wrote:
The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph.

re: the 1990 incident....it happened. I know the person who was there, and they are not one to exaggerate. I believe it was somewhere betw Laramie and Green River if memory serves, which is an area where that could have been done safely. I certainly wouldn't want to push 3985 over 79mph, but the 844 (or 8444, at the time) is certainly good for 100+ if track conditions permit. Probably a case of a jumbled up railroad and some dispatcher who wanted to get the thing over the rails as fast as possible so he could work on other issues. Similar to the NS 40mph speed limit--which was observed if/when it didn't interfere with anything else.

Rockindeano wrote:They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

That's just the horsepower curve of steam vs. diesel--which I'm sure you are aware of. I believe the famous saying in an article was that 4449 was equal to two-and-a-half E8s at anything over 40mph. 844 (or any other 70+" drivered 4-8-4) would be pretty comparable. Diesel people don't understand the concept of something producing MORE horsepower the faster it goes, but that's steam for you. Diesel had its advantages over steam, but high-speed horsepower and acceleration was not one of them.

Rockindeano wrote:kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

Probably not....but I'm loving it! Seriously though, for those unaware, I've seen steam excursions with 100 cars following for 100+ miles. Also excursions that brought both sides of a 4-lane interstate to a standstill. The previously-commented trip in Virginia for the Santa Claus Special had a 2-mile backup on the roads between the regular people who came for the gifts and undetermined amount of people that came to see the 3985.

If you've never been around it, you have NO idea what kind of traffic will come out for this type of trip. Reminds me of a Michigan Stage Highway Patrol officer who was trying to provide grade crossing safety and encountered about 30 cars and 50 people with cameras at one crossing. They pulled up, stopped, got out of the car, and in an exasperated tone of voice said, "I don't get it. I just don't get it. It's a steam train". Of course, everybody else fell over laughing.

LtVanish wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

There is no question that the 844 is a giant of the rails. I stood next to its 80" drive wheels, it really is a massive machine. I was looking at its stats as well a while back and the thing weighs 450 tons! It can consume up to 25 gallons of #5 Oil a mile, also can evaporate 200 gallons of water a mile! That truely is hard to even imagine. Basically 5000 horse power from a fire, got to love it! It really is impressive how big these steam engines were at the end of the steam era.

The Big Boys are frankly scary to ride in. I rode in one at 30 mph from Nampa, ID down to the next Control point, and I was literally bounced off my seat a few times. The faster you went, the smoother it got, but goddamn, those 80" drive wheels are so big, and it's a hissing living breathing dragon. As for the 5,000 horses you mentioned, are you sure about that? A steam locomotive has no boundaries. It can go 200mph if the fire gets hot enough and the track were able to withstand it, which is impossible. I have video of a single Big Boy pulling a 180 car loaded coal train up a 1% grade at 45 mph. That is pure brawn and power. Now, you want to talk about pure HP..look no further than the UP DDA40X Centennial. 8 axles and 6600 horses. It is the absolute strongest land powered vehicle ever built. I have video of 4 of these monsters lashed up pulling a 200 car drag. The hogger told me he had it in run 4 and they were cruising at 50 mph, effortlessly. They were almost too powerful. An inexperienced Hog would pull too hard and break a coupler or three. The things were so jumpy and jerky, that you had to let the slack out very slowly to avoid break in twos. Hell, I have had a break in two with puny SD40T-2's and a simple 70 car grain train. I went from run 1 to run 5 and boom! snap, about 10 cars back. I got a write up for that one. That's when I said to myself, "screw this, I am going to Amtrak." The pay in freight is more because you work longer hours, but Amtrak is much easier to operate. Scheduled trains, no 2 AM wake up calls, and faster speeds make it an enjoyable job. The biggest drawback was grade crossing collisions. I seemed to have more of them in a pair of F40's at 70 mph with the Coast Starlight, than I did on a slow drag at 20 mph. You understand what I am saying LTVanish?

Rockindeano wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:
The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

There is no question that the 844 is a giant of the rails. I stood next to its 80" drive wheels, it really is a massive machine. I was looking at its stats as well a while back and the thing weighs 450 tons! It can consume up to 25 gallons of #5 Oil a mile, also can evaporate 200 gallons of water a mile! That truely is hard to even imagine. Basically 5000 horse power from a fire, got to love it! It really is impressive how big these steam engines were at the end of the steam era.

The Big Boys are frankly scary to ride in. I rode in one at 30 mph from Nampa, ID down to the next Control point, and I was literally bounced off my seat a few times. The faster you went, the smoother it got, but goddamn, those 80" drive wheels are so big, and it's a hissing living breathing dragon. As for the 5,000 horses you mentioned, are you sure about that?

5000HP is no joke. I would guess the 844 is about 4500HP. A Norfolk & Western Class J was 5000HP, but that was the most powerful northern ever built. I would guess the 3985 is about 5500-6000HP. The C&O H8 2-6-6-6 was rated for 7500HP at 40mph--ie more than a Union Pacific Big Boy. I believe the theoretical was more than that and closer to 7800HP, but would have to look it up.

Rockindeano wrote: Now, you want to talk about pure HP..look no further than the UP DDA40X Centennial. 8 axles and 6600 horses. It is the absolute strongest land powered vehicle ever built.

See reference to C&O Allegheny above.

pic below of C&O Allegheny for those totally confused by this point

Rockindeano wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

Rockindeano wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:ahh wow, I knew this forum was good for something

One of the other hobbies, so it's rather strange that I've never gotten out to see the UP Steam program. Got a friend who might go out and chase some of the return trip from Texas back through Arkansas. I would imagine there will be a paramount of congestion on some of those roads on the travel days--but it can't possibly be as bad as some traffic jams that UP has encountered--ask anyone who tried to keep up with the 3985 on the Clinchfield Santa Train in Virginia in '92! Fun stuff. Only wish the southeast wasn't as steam-deficient as it is at the moment--those travel expenses to find something running can add up quickly.

By all means, go out and see this. Videos do NOT give you any idea of how big the 844 is (or how loud). You are looking at the pinnacle of high-speed passenger steam design in the US. Oh, and good luck keeping up with it when it's moving. Have a friend who was out chasing circa 1990. They were going 90mph on a parallel road, and it was pulling away.They don't mess around, and will go track speed. I doubt anywhere in Texas is that fast, but you'll be lucky to find it going less than 60-70mph outside of city limits.



Specific details on the trip... Wish I could go out for it.
http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/schedule.shtml

The UP allows the 844 and 3985 passenger train limits- 79 mph. They restrict them on certain curvature out here in the west, but you are correct, I chased, or tried to, the 3985 out of North Platte and got blown away on US 30. I had NO chance, until for some reason, the DS put her in the hole for a detouring Amtrak #5. That was a cool pic I got. The acceleration those two have is as good as a pair of P42's.

kgdjpubs is correct. It is a public spectacle. People line the roads and interstates when this thing travels. There are helicopters the whole works. I wonder if anyone else on this board knows what the fuck we are talking about here?

There is no question that the 844 is a giant of the rails. I stood next to its 80" drive wheels, it really is a massive machine. I was looking at its stats as well a while back and the thing weighs 450 tons! It can consume up to 25 gallons of #5 Oil a mile, also can evaporate 200 gallons of water a mile! That truely is hard to even imagine. Basically 5000 horse power from a fire, got to love it! It really is impressive how big these steam engines were at the end of the steam era.

The Big Boys are frankly scary to ride in. I rode in one at 30 mph from Nampa, ID down to the next Control point, and I was literally bounced off my seat a few times. The faster you went, the smoother it got, but goddamn, those 80" drive wheels are so big, and it's a hissing living breathing dragon. As for the 5,000 horses you mentioned, are you sure about that? A steam locomotive has no boundaries. It can go 200mph if the fire gets hot enough and the track were able to withstand it, which is impossible. I have video of a single Big Boy pulling a 180 car loaded coal train up a 1% grade at 45 mph. That is pure brawn and power. Now, you want to talk about pure HP..look no further than the UP DDA40X Centennial. 8 axles and 6600 horses. It is the absolute strongest land powered vehicle ever built. I have video of 4 of these monsters lashed up pulling a 200 car drag. The hogger told me he had it in run 4 and they were cruising at 50 mph, effortlessly. They were almost too powerful. An inexperienced Hog would pull too hard and break a coupler or three. The things were so jumpy and jerky, that you had to let the slack out very slowly to avoid break in twos. Hell, I have had a break in two with puny SD40T-2's and a simple 70 car grain train. I went from run 1 to run 5 and boom! snap, about 10 cars back. I got a write up for that one. That's when I said to myself, "screw this, I am going to Amtrak." The pay in freight is more because you work longer hours, but Amtrak is much easier to operate. Scheduled trains, no 2 AM wake up calls, and faster speeds make it an enjoyable job. The biggest drawback was grade crossing collisions. I seemed to have more of them in a pair of F40's at 70 mph with the Coast Starlight, than I did on a slow drag at 20 mph. You understand what I am saying LTVanish?

You are right about the steam HP. The biggest problem with steam was getting the train moving, once that is acheved they can pull just about anything. I think this is the video you are talking about with the challenger 3985 pulling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgHrDbN4EU&NR=1

My Grandpa worked for the Illinois Central railroad, and I used to ride along with him all the time when I was younger, I have always been into trains ever sense, although I decided not to work for the railroad. I know it is a lot harder work than what people think and there is alot of skill being an engineer, especially with the slack, and knowing what you are doing with those fully loaded trains. I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting. I would be scared out of my mind losing control of something like a 50,000 ton or whatever train, it would be complete disaster. How many times have you plowed into a car with Amtrak? I'm sure it is not anything pleasant, not many people make it out alive in those cases.

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

I think it was on Modern Marvels where I saw it. Not the Extreme Trains show, that guy on there drives me crazy.

LOL, I think that just us three will be in this thread. No one outside us has a clue what we are talking about here, and probably think we are nerds.

My point about HP on a steam locomotive is I believe can unlimited, bt I agree with your numbers...The point is it is enough, and if not, throw another unit on there, be it on the point or on the rear.

Speaking of helpers. When I was UP running trains on the Columbia River on the oregon side, we would have about 3 or 4 units up front, usually SD40's and then we almost always had a DPU on the rear and sometimes on real large trains, stick a few in the middle or 2/3rds way back. In fact, we had manned helpers at the start, and at the end of my time on UP, we were almost exclusively radio controlled. When there were problems though, the front Braky had to walk the 2 miles back to inspect, rather than having a rear brakeman hop off at the rear. It took a long tome to repair a hose or drawbar if we broke down or snapped a bar. However, a lot of the times I could be found smiling, and literally on auto pilot cruising the Gorge at 60 mph with a nice balanced 80 car train. Loaded or unloaded, the Gorge was pretty easy to operate. It got a bit harder heading up to Spokane, because we had some tight curvature and some gradient to encounter. The BNSF would always pass us, as they just had faster limits on their grain trains. We both ran about the same number of trains a day on the Gorge though. The biggest pain was a headwind. We would really struggle to maintain track speed heading into the wind, as it is really strong there. In fact it would be tough to maintain 40 mph with a loaded train with no helpers.

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

I think it was on Modern Marvels where I saw it. Not the Extreme Trains show, that guy on there drives me crazy.

you and me both. He did it because that's the way the producers wanted him to act, but it was still way overboard. Too bad they didn't get renewed for a season 2. All the episodes were shot before the first one aired, so theory says he would have been somewhat toned down if he had a chance to film another season.

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

I think it was on Modern Marvels where I saw it. Not the Extreme Trains show, that guy on there drives me crazy.

you and me both. He did it because that's the way the producers wanted him to act, but it was still way overboard. Too bad they didn't get renewed for a season 2. All the episodes were shot before the first one aired, so theory says he would have been somewhat toned down if he had a chance to film another season.

I was excited about the program when I heard about it, but then started watching and was anoyed big time, they would just show him talking all the time and cut out most of the rail workers and such when they said things.

"I don't get it. I just don't get it. It's a steam train". Of course, everybody else fell over laughing.

I guess he didn't understand what a "Foamer" really was until that day right?

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

I think it was on Modern Marvels where I saw it. Not the Extreme Trains show, that guy on there drives me crazy.

you and me both. He did it because that's the way the producers wanted him to act, but it was still way overboard. Too bad they didn't get renewed for a season 2. All the episodes were shot before the first one aired, so theory says he would have been somewhat toned down if he had a chance to film another season.

I was excited about the program when I heard about it, but then started watching and was anoyed big time, they would just show him talking all the time and cut out most of the rail workers and such when they said things.

yes, but if anybody was interested from watching, it was probably worthwhile. It could have (and probably should have) been done a lot better, but it was nice for what it was. The Modern Marvels show was more what I was expecting.

btw...I much prefer the RFD TV Trains & Locomotives program that airs every week. It's railfan videos, which is a totally different market, but they have some really good stuff. Tends to be more vintage than current. "New" episode plays Monday at 6:00PM EST. If you aren't aware, check the channels that you receive. You might just get RFD.

I forgot to answer the grade crossing collision question.

Yeah at Amtrak, it happens more frequently because of the higher speeds. Unfortunately many who were struck didn't make it, and at first it really affected me personally. I was pure mush after one of those collisions. I only had one derailment/accident, and thatts when we struck a cement truck deadheading a passenger set. I posted it on here years back and people didn't believe me...Oh well. I was in the fuckin hospital for a couple weeks. The driver of the truck was originally only cited for failuer to stop, until our lawyers went after him and the company had to pay for damages, both physical and personal. I really was messed up pretty bad, but I loved that job and returned asap. I transferred from the starlight pool to the Pacific Surfliner pool, because I could be home every day or so, whereas on 11/14, I was overnighting in San Jose, Oakland or Sacramento. The Starlight is a bit slow, and it's a tough train to handle, as the terrain is undulated and to balance that train set over the humps and dips was a real challenge. People think it's a matter of hitting the gas and brake,lol. Getting that train over Cuesta Pass smoothly and without stalling or slipping the wheel is tough, especially when it's wet outside. One time, Maintenance forgot to sand our Genesis units in LA. It was pissing outside something fierce. I would use sand a lot, because the added traction on startup from station stops is a lot quicker, although you didn't need sand. Well, by the time we left San Luis Obispo and headed up the hill, I had NO sand left. That 2.2% grade knocked me righ tin the face, and I stalled out #14. After sitting there, embarrassed and pissed at Maintenance, and after holding up #11 in the hole, it was decided to back back down to SLO, break the train in two and double the hill! It added two and half hours to the trip and Maintenance lost a worker that day. It costs us upteen thousand bucks. We had to leave passengers in the back half of the train without power for an hour or so, until we regathered them and hooked up the units again. They all received vouchers for their trip. I remember passengers being very unruly.

LtVanish wrote:

"I don't get it. I just don't get it. It's a steam train". Of course, everybody else fell over laughing.

I guess he didn't understand what a "Foamer" really was until that day right?

She, actually. No, she was totally oblivious and not sure what to expect. Someone pulled some strings and she got a cabride in 765 at some point later that week. Ran into her a few days later, and she figured out what it was all about--and was much more receptive to the idea. Apparently the cabride did all the convincing that was needed. The whole episode was rather entertaining, especially when you have the police taking pictures with their cell phones!

P.S. I HATE that term. Know some people who really deserve it, but I try to stay as far away as possible from them.

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote:

kgdjpubs wrote:

LtVanish wrote: I was watching on the history channel I believe they were showing all about some of those fully loaded coal hopper trains going up 2% grades with helper engines on the back end, really interesting.

For what it's worth, take the facts presented on that series with a large dose of salt. Accuracy wasn't their strongest suit when writing narration. Doesn't undercut the danger, or skill it takes to operate that kind of load over those grades safely, but don't think everything they said is 100% factual.

I think it was on Modern Marvels where I saw it. Not the Extreme Trains show, that guy on there drives me crazy.

you and me both. He did it because that's the way the producers wanted him to act, but it was still way overboard. Too bad they didn't get renewed for a season 2. All the episodes were shot before the first one aired, so theory says he would have been somewhat toned down if he had a chance to film another season.

I was excited about the program when I heard about it, but then started watching and was anoyed big time, they would just show him talking all the time and cut out most of the rail workers and such when they said things.

yes, but if anybody was interested from watching, it was probably worthwhile. It could have (and probably should have) been done a lot better, but it was nice for what it was. The Modern Marvels show was more what I was expecting.

btw...I much prefer the RFD TV Trains & Locomotives program that airs every week. It's railfan videos, which is a totally different market, but they have some really good stuff. Tends to be more vintage than current. "New" episode plays Monday at 6:00PM EST. If you aren't aware, check the channels that you receive. You might just get RFD.

Yeah I heard about that show, but don't think I get RFD I'll recheck. Is there a website that you can watch it on I wonder?

LtVanish wrote:

"I don't get it. I just don't get it. It's a steam train". Of course, everybody else fell over laughing.

I guess he didn't understand what a "Foamer" really was until that day right?

The railroads do not like foamers, especially their employees who happen to be foamers. If they get a sniff that a person is a foamer and applies for a job, you can forget about it.

Rockindeano wrote:I forgot to answer the grade crossing collision question.

Yeah at Amtrak, it happens more frequently because of the higher speeds. Unfortunately many who were struck didn't make it, and at first it really affected me personally. I was pure mush after one of those collisions. I only had one derailment/accident, and thatts when we struck a cement truck deadheading a passenger set. I posted it on here years back and people didn't believe me...Oh well. I was in the fuckin hospital for a couple weeks. The driver of the truck was originally only cited for failuer to stop, until our lawyers went after him and the company had to pay for damages, both physical and personal. I really was messed up pretty bad, but I loved that job and returned asap.

I've seen plenty of aftermaths, but--crossing fingers--have never seen it happen. The average person has no idea that someone in the cab has ZERO chance of being able to do much of anything other than hitting the horn, braking, and praying. You know what's going to happen, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent it.

I wish railroads would start running the Operation Lifesaver commercials again. I don't if it helped, but it certainly didn't hurt.

Rockindeano wrote:One time, Maintenance forgot to sand our Genesis units in LA. It was pissing outside something fierce. I would use sand a lot, because the added traction on startup from station stops is a lot quicker, although you didn't need sand. Well, by the time we left San Luis Obispo and headed up the hill, I had NO sand left. That 2.2% grade knocked me righ tin the face, and I stalled out #14. After sitting there, embarrassed and pissed at Maintenance, and after holding up #11 in the hole, it was decided to back back down to SLO, break the train in two and double the hill! It added two and half hours to the trip and Maintenance lost a worker that day. It costs us upteen thousand bucks. We had to leave passengers in the back half of the train without power for an hour or so, until we regathered them and hooked up the units again. They all received vouchers for their trip. I remember passengers being very unruly.

Wow...I take it there wasn't any other power on freights in SLO for pushers?? Doubling a passenger train has got to be about the last possible option that I would want to attempt given any other options.

Reminds me of a NS steam excursion near Asheville, NC in the early 90s. 14 cars on a 2.5% grade with wet rail. The head of steam operations wanted to go ahead without pushers, so that's what they did....and they got about 2 miles before stalling out. Had to take 4 diesels off a freight to push the train up the hill. Needless to say, I'm sure that crew was not happy.