Locomotive question

[NPloysa]

Locomotives, particularly the EMD SD MACs and AC4400s, that we have here hauling our coal trains usually run two lead, two middle, two trailing, OR two lead, two trailing on loaded and typically two lead, two trailing on empty, or three or four lead, none trailing.



Like this:



Loaded



LL-------LL-------LL



LL-----------------LL



Empty



LL-----------------LL



LLL------------------



I forget the term for that anyway? Teaming? Something like that.



ANYWAY, the locos all have to be linked together so the most powerful engine in the team has to be downrated to the slowest, least powerful engine, correct?



So if a AC4400 with 4400 HP is coupled to a GP30 with 2200 HP, thats like hooking up a 2004 600 Dodge with a Ford Taurus.



Also, how do the generators compare to the engine. I mean, the generators (AC and DC) have to meet the engine in proportion.



I don't know, I am kind of rambling.

 

[KBennett]

Or like hooking a Blue Chipped Cummins to a 6. 0 powerssssttroke.



I'll bet you get to see those a lot going between Parker and the Springs.

 

[bmoeller]

Last summer I saw 8 locos hooked together. :--) First time I ever saw more than 5.

 

[C. Harlan]

Down here, our coal train has two Dash 7 locomotives in the front, 135 cars, and one Distributed Power Dash 7 Locomotive in the back. I am sure when it gets into the big hills, it adds on more locomotives, but we (The Utility Company I work for) Own almost 14,000 rail cars and get coal in every 14-20 hours to the power plant, 135 cars at a time...



-Chris-

 

[jwilliams3]

I used to live next to a main line for U. P. going into Los Angeles.

The Coal trains used to run 5 up front and none in the rear, but that was going into the city.

Who knows what they ran in the mountains.



Also the double stacks used to run 5 up front and 2 in the rear.



--Justin

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by jwilliams3

I used to live next to a main line for U. P. going into Los Angeles.

The Coal trains used to run 5 up front and none in the rear, but that was going into the city.

Who knows what they ran in the mountains.



Also the double stacks used to run 5 up front and 2 in the rear.



--Justin

Justin, I used to work mornings at the Ontario airport east of L. A. The UP main line is right next the place I worked, along the south side of the airport. Every few days, a westbound train would come through with a bunch of stock cars carrying live pigs. We called it the "pig train", and after it went past, the smell would hang in the air for an hour or so!

Andy

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by Andy Perreault

Justin, I used to work mornings at the Ontario airport east of L. A. The UP main line is right next the place I worked, along the south side of the airport. Every few days, a westbound train would come through with a bunch of stock cars carrying live pigs. We called it the "pig train", and after it went past, the smell would hang in the air for an hour or so!

Andy

"Pig Train" Now that's a new one LOL

 

[jwilliams3]

Vaughn,

The funny thing is, he ain't kiddin!



Andy,

I remember that.

The Pig train stunk to high heaven!

It ran about 75% livestock, then rest was empty piggyback flats.



It would usually make its way past on Sunday mornings if I remember right.



This was all about 10 years ago, I dont imagine much has changed.

This is the same main line were talking about.



The U. P. and Sante Fe yards that are huge are located right across the street from each other in East Los Angeles.



--Justin

 

[nickleinonen]

ANYWAY, the locos all have to be linked together so the most powerful engine in the team has to be downrated to the slowest, least powerful engine, correct?

nope... each engine will run on it's own terms. when it calls for 8th notch, they will all go to notch 8, but if the engine only makes 3000hp or 2000hp, or 1200hp, it will still be pulling as hard as it can to make the train move... .



think of it like a tug o war over a mud pit. you are pulling on the rope against someone of equal strength. now add someone who is not near as strong as you pulling with you, and you will start to move the other person, add another person and it will move even better.



i think the HP/weight formula cn uses is 1 hp per ton of weight.

 

[rbattelle]

How come sometimes (frequently, actually) one of the locomotives is facing backwards?

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Originally posted by rbattelle

How come sometimes (frequently, actually) one of the locomotives is facing backwards?

Do you mean tail to tail? Sometimes they pair a set like that cause if you need to get in the other cab its facing the other direction so now your up front again.



Plus it takes planning to turn a locomotive around. So if you pair a set it become even more usable if they are tail to tail. Generally you can drop a line of cars and jump on a side track and pass those cars back as you back track, pick another line of cars and head back the way you came.

 

[michigandon]

Originally posted by nickleinonen

nope... each engine will run on it's own terms. when it calls for 8th notch, they will all go to notch 8, but if the engine only makes 3000hp or 2000hp, or 1200hp, it will still be pulling as hard as it can to make the train move... .

That is correct. HOWEVER, if you M/U two units together and one is geared for 70MPH, and the other is geared for 45MPH, you will only get a maximum speed of 45MPH out of the entire lashup.