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 Posted - October 10 2008 : 7:40:47 PM
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With in the last month--here where i live--CSX has one locomotive on ther rear of their trains with the engine facing to the rear of train. There are usually 3 on the front. So-do the trains in your area practice this same procedure? Will try to get a photo of one and post
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Posted - October 10 2008 : 11:14:35 PM
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Brian,
The new GE ES44AH locos are equipped with a DPU system.
They call it Distributed Power,but it's really an unmanned mainline helper.
I live just outside of Baltimore but I haven't seen it here,but UP,and BNSF use it on a lot of lines.
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - October 11 2008 : 01:04:12 AM
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YES!
I see it tons of times on the Canadian Pacific in Kamloops.
Usually on unit trains. The general idea is to run a unit train to it's destination, and then, instead of turning the train around, the engineer and conductor go into the other end of the train and head back.
Also, some of the unit trains that come through, were originally twice as long. Almost like they doubled... they come through town separated because the mountain passes are too much for the AC4400, ES4400, etc. to handle. They are still 100-175 car trains. going through.
Also, many unit trains have "mid-train" slaves. Mainly for pot-ash trains. For unit trains, empty trains go east, loaded trains go west. Mix, container/inter-modal trains are loaded or partially empty going both directions.
We don't see the ES44AH's here. Usually, ES, AC's and SD90-MAC's.
John
ADDED INFORMATION
ps: I forgot a bit of information about these seemingly push-pull operations.
The other advantage to having locomotives mid-train and as slave pushers is that many engineers like having a little "shove" from behind instead of being the primary power in front. It's more than only braking the train, it's also a boost with those mid and trailing locomotives.
I don't have a one track mind. It depends on the turn-out.
"I love your catenary!"
Is that a power-trip or just another pick-up line?
Edited by - zebrails on October 26 2008 02:40:51 AM
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Posted - October 11 2008 : 03:52:34 AM
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Being I work for CSX as an engineer I could tell you a few things about their DP but whenever I post anything about something nobody says anything so I dont . Its like the thread goes stale after I post in it LOL!
A lone amature built the ark! A large group of professionals built the titanic!
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Posted - October 11 2008 : 09:16:05 AM
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Budwsr the thread killer!
Just kidding,please share some more info on the DP operation.
Also,what part of CSX do you run?
Carl T.
President of the Cape James Terminal RR.
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 7:48:17 PM
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DPUs! I Caught One At The Catawba Viaduct Near Marion, NC.
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Posted - September 28 2011 : 9:57:33 PM
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yes both railroads in my areas have the locos on the back UP, UP main & BNSF
Sometimes theres 2 on the back have seen 3 on the back  or once in a while 1 loco on each end of coal train 
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 3:51:08 PM
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How common is this? I live in FL, the "flat state". Would it ever be used in a state like this?
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 3:55:03 PM
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we use locos front and back in uk,sometimes more,its down to total weight,as couplings can break under the strain,it must be worse in states as you have trains miles long,weighing hundreds of tons held together by those tiny little things called couplings.ken
Edited by - catfordken on September 29 2011 4:06:52 PM
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 4:27:21 PM
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To Answer Your Question, No. That Is A Case Where Curves Are Rare And So Are Grades. I Saw An FEC Freight With Only 2 GP40s And He Was Haulin ***! The DPUs Are Normally Used In Areas With Curves To Reduce Wear On Rails. NS Dosent Do It Where I Railfan.
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 5:36:17 PM
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here is a Ex-GECX loco in UP colors on the end of train 
Have seen unpatched SP units on the end of UP trains & one time, while waiting for 844 to show, I saw a loco in the middle of a SOLID K-line double stack!
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Posted - September 29 2011 : 5:42:42 PM
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Cool Microbusss! SP Units Are Rare I Hear From Sources. Get Pics of 844!
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