Western Railroad Discussion > UP leads #1 & the EC-4 Car in Colton

After hearing about Amtrak's Sunset limited coming in about 4 hours late with a UP leader, I headed out to Colton to catch it.

I got set up just West of the diamonds in Colton (where the Colton fly-over project is taking place) and waited. Shortly thereafter, #1 pulls up with UP3858 and stops a 9th Street for a crew change: ~note the site of the old Colton Depot on the left~

--Robert

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And a few miles to the East, the EC-4 cars sits in the Ice Deck at Colton, with UP7464 and the Rock Train on the left.

--Robert

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Last one is just a quick grab shot from the car showing the project going on at West Colton's receiving yard. I believe they're replacing the yard tracks with new concrete ties.

Btw, does anyone have any info on the progress of the double track between Colton and Pomona? Is it still in the plans?

Thanks for looking,
--Robert

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Thanks Robert.

Are there still plans to double-track West Colton-Pomona, far as I can tell, yes.

Probably a naive question, but why the need for an idler between the power and the EC-4?

The EC configuration with an idler car. Is this for ultrasound inspection?

When I saw EC-4 a month or so ago in Missouri Valley IA, (as well as the other times I've seen it) it was moving under its own power. Anyone know why is it in tow now?

billio Wrote:
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> Thanks Robert.
>
> Are there still plans to double-track West
> Colton-Pomona, far as I can tell, yes.
>
> Probably a naive question, but why the need for an
> idler between the power and the EC-4?


The flat car is for braking power and the EC car is limited to 70 mph if it is self propelled... if it is entrained it car go a maximum speed of 80 mph...

Good info on the EC-4, thanks.

--Robert

cabcar Wrote:
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> Good info on the EC-4, thanks.
>
Ditto!

Double ditto!

papio Wrote:
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> When I saw EC-4 a month or so ago in Missouri
> Valley IA, (as well as the other times I've seen
> it) it was moving under its own power. Anyone know
> why is it in tow now?


I had the train to Yermo a week or so ago. They said the drive was sent back to Germany for work, so for now they get pulled around.

They also wanted to do 60mph max.

I think the flat car is there because the front of the EC4 sticks too far forward for it to be coupled to the locomotive.