Western Railroad Discussion > UP Nampa Sub: Fast Stacker On Medbury Hill

I caught this fast WB ZKCBR-15 on Medbury Hill Tuesday.
This location is about 5 miles west of Hammett, Idaho and about 10 miles west of Glenns Ferry, Idaho.
This is one of my favorite spots on the Nampa Sub.
Three motors on the front with no other power, led by UP #8680.
This is the going away shot as the train powers up the hill toward Reverse, Idaho.
(video to follow later)
Phil



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/18 07:25 by philhoov.

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Nice shot Phil.

Posted from iPhone

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Great color contrasts with the containers and brown territory.

That ZKCBR must make a hefty pickup at North Platte now, noticed it's quite a bit bigger now most days, often 8000 feet or more.  Probably got what's left from the former KDUSE train which doesn't run any more.

I wonder how many changes we'll see on this line with UP's new "Unified Plan" (former Hunter Harrison's Precision Scheduled Railroading)?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/18 08:25 by spwolfmtn.

Thanks!
That going away shot was much better than the east-facing shot of the front as it approached from the east.
This is the first going away shot I've ever posted on TO.
It offers a different perspective from the usual head-end shots.
Phil

Very nice! ZKCBR ought to be pretty reliable coming into Nampa in the afternoon. Sometimes it has trailers, and sometimes just containers (I think it depends on the day of the week). And yes, I think it gets the old IDUSE / INPSE business now -- it seemed to get a lot longer right about when that train was abolished.

I'm noticing more long trains with all of the power on the front end.
Is that a new way of doing things, or just my imagination?
Phil
 

That is a great location climbing west out of the Snake River area near Glenns Ferry.  Steep on the east side too to Kings Hill. 

philhoov Wrote:
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> I'm noticing more long trains with all of the
> power on the front end.
> Is that a new way of doing things, or just my
> imagination?
> Phil
>  

I doubt it.  UP has been highly motivated to use DPU power, even on shorter trains.  As UP will (likely) be moving to ever longer trains, DPU power will be almost required for the trains to operate with a chance of any reliability.