Western Railroad Discussion > Wind farm trains

What kind operation restrictions do they place on these trains? Speed? Crosswinds? Passing other trains?

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          They aren't over width so shouldn't be a problem in passing other trains. Even on curves.

On BNSF, it is subdivision dependant. Empties 55mph, loads 45mph if I recall correctly. There are some curve restrictions as well but generally only apply for yard movements. 

We had one train derail because the end of the blade wasn't locked down and high winds caused the blade to go airborne. This was in the Texas Panhandle. 

dcfbalcoS1 Wrote:
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>           They aren't over width so shouldn't
> be a problem in passing other trains. Even on
> curves.

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

On the BNSF K-Line in Northeast Missouri we get blade trains from the Siemens plant in Ft.Madison Iowa. We had lots of restrictions- especially at Keokuk Iowa. Going thru Keokuk the track closest to the river, called the passenger main had to be cleared of cars due to the swing of the blades on the curve. We would clear it off going north to pick up the train (usually power lite from West Quincy) but sometimes the KJRY would throw corn syrup cars there before we got back. Also the bridge over the Des Moines river on the south edge of Keokuk had to be slow order as the blades would snag the bridge if they were going too fast ( happened several times).

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