Eastern Railroad Discussion > Latest on the VGN...

Does anybody happen to know the latest on the travels of the NS 1069; the Virginian? Curious as to if CSX will put her on the point once to Chicago. Thanks in advance...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/14 12:49 by Forever-Railfan-45.

Forever-Railfan-45 Wrote:
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> Does anybody happen to know the latest on the
> travels of the NS 1069; the Virginian. Curious as
> to if CSX will put her on the point once to
> Chicago. Thanks in advance...


I cannot imagine any need for CSX to shuffle the power around in Chicago.

Reason I ask is that I usually do not see CSX using three locomotives all the time on the "K" trains that traverse the rails thru Greenwich and Berea, Ohio. Example being today as on K048 it was CP 9816 and NS 1050...

Forever-Railfan-45 Wrote:
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> Reason I ask is that I usually do not see CSX
> using three locomotives all the time on the "K"
> trains that traverse the rails thru Greenwich and
> Berea, Ohio. Example being today as on K048 it
> was CP 9816 and NS 1050...


OK, you do have a point there. I don't envision the power being switched around, but the leader could get cut off.

The Virginian was leading with a BNSF DPU. Somewhere in Minnesota the DPU got moved up front for some reason. So you have to wonder if the "DPU" leader is excess. You can always hope. Does this train have 3 or 4 units upfront?

John

CP4743 Wrote:
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> The Virginian was leading with a BNSF DPU.
> Somewhere in Minnesota the DPU got moved up front
> for some reason. So you have to wonder if the
> "DPU" leader is excess. You can always hope. Does
> this train have 3 or 4 units upfront?

The explanation I saw for the DPU being up front is that CSX does not accept trains with DPUs. In a past instance in which the NS8101 (C of G) was the DPU, it was cut off in Chicago and remained on BNSF. So the only explanation I can come up with for the DPU being put on the point this time is that it will continue on the point on CSX. But if that proves incorrect and the BNSF leader comes off somewhere, that's certainly good news for railfans.

CSX does not operate distributed power consists into Philly. That's why the run around move was made - and while two unit trains are now the norm, three unit consists do operate through on a regular basis.

The VGN is still in Wisconsin. It's planned for 1030PM tonight, but not ordered. I feel as if it won't be moving anytime soon. If it does move tonight, it will be in Chicago by some point tomorrow. I will update if I hear anything else!

Cindy Luther
Canton, OH