Western Railroad Discussion > 20,000 Tons descending Cajon Pass. 2/22/21.

-The crew onboard UP 7840 (Running 3+4+2) have this massive loaded ore train well in check as their major obstacle and steepest grades are behind them.

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It looks like the train is descending on BNSF tracks, presumably because the grade is less?

Really great photo.  When I’m driving between Blue Cut and Cajon, I’m often in a hurry to get back close to the tracks.  Your pic reminds me what a great view there is from the road.

Rich

Thats a super photo! Does anyone know where these monster ore trains originate and are they for export! I can't ever remember seeing 4 mid-train units on a downhill really ever!
This guy was a 3-4-2 that is serious power, more like something you would see at Soldier Summit or somewhere else!

KipFiftyfooter Wrote:
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> Thats a super photo! Does anyone know where these
> monster ore trains originate and are they for
> export! I can't ever remember seeing 4 mid-train
> units on a downhill really ever!
> This guy was a 3-4-2 that is serious power, more
> like something you would see at Soldier Summit or
> somewhere else!

Loaded at the mine near Cedar City, UT. Export is via the Port of Long Beach. Destination unknown.

Symbol for the loaded ore trains is OUTS1 and empties are OS1UT.

Allen

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/21 21:01 by bradleymckay.

mukinduri Wrote:
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> It looks like the train is descending on BNSF
> tracks, presumably because the grade is less?

On the BNSF tracks because the train is going from Utah to LA/LB Harbor.
They're using the trackage rights UP has had here since about 1910 or so.

mukinduri Wrote:
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> It looks like the train is descending on BNSF
> tracks, presumably because the grade is less?

UP Mojave Sub is 2.2% from Hiland to Bench, same gradient as the BNSF line from Summit to Baseline.

mapboy

Any one know how many cars?

What kind of ore is that? The cars look are very big for ore.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

pedrop Wrote:
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> What kind of ore is that? The cars look are very
> big for ore.

My guess: those are regular coal hoppers with 5 gravity discharge gates. There are probably a lot of them in storage with utility coal traffic down, so these are being used in ore service, but they are only filling them partway until the weight of the ore is at capacity. That is why they look empty from this angle.

So much for taking the safer route and splitting the train at Yermo.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Any one know how many cars?

154

Do you know what kind of ore is that?
inCHI Wrote:
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> pedrop Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What kind of ore is that? The cars look are
> very
> > big for ore.
>
> My guess: those are regular coal hoppers with 5
> gravity discharge gates. There are probably a lot
> of them in storage with utility coal traffic down,
> so these are being used in ore service, but they
> are only filling them partway until the weight of
> the ore is at capacity. That is why they look
> empty from this angle.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Quite nice!

Posted from Android

inCHI Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> pedrop Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What kind of ore is that? The cars look are
> very
> > big for ore.
>
> My guess: those are regular coal hoppers with 5
> gravity discharge gates. There are probably a lot
> of them in storage with utility coal traffic down,
> so these are being used in ore service, but they
> are only filling them partway until the weight of
> the ore is at capacity. That is why they look
> empty from this angle.

It is iron ore, very dense so it doesn't take much to fill the car to the load limit.  Ten years ago the same iron ore mine near Milford, Utah, was using RCGX open hoppers that look the same to me.  See the 6th photo here-  
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,2406411,2406425#msg-2406425.  They exported via Stockton, CA (partially load the ship so it wouldn't bottom out), then top it off at Richmond, CA, via Donner Pass.  Eventually they switched over to unloading at Long Beach, CA, Harbor, like they do now.

mapboy

Neat shot of a unique train!

howeld Wrote:
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> So much for taking the safer route and splitting
> the train at Yermo.

What do you mean?

Awesome! That has to be 2 trains put together.

SCUfoamer Wrote:
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> Awesome! That has to be 2 trains put together.

Yes, they were splitting it at Yermo into two trains.

mapboy

I'll chime in here:

They are the same railcars used by RCGX and ROGX...all they did was paint the rest of an "O" from the existing "C"....a very cost effective move when considering a fleet of 540 railcars.     As for train size,  roughly 170-180 cars...so just shy or right at 20,000 tons.   I'm shocked they haven't had a braking or general railcar issues leading to a derailment yet, given the lack of long-term suitability of the aluminum coal railcars for iron ore service as expressed by the former railcar owner.  I haven't heard if the former BNSF GE"s are working out...or if they have arrived for that matter.

"Burt"

 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/21 21:36 by BurtNorton.