Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF Needles Sub Helpers

Howdy! Wondering about the symbol used and frequency of manned helpers on Goffs Hill right now. Thanks!

-Kacey

Believe it's KNEENEE?

Manned helpers Needles to Goffs? But not to Ash Hill?

I've seen them run nearly to Barstow, totally depends on the train being helped.

Out 

BeaumontHill Wrote:
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> Believe it's KNEENEE?

Yes, first one on the ninth day of the month is KNEENEE1-9A, next one KNEENEE2-9A, next one...

mapboy

timz Wrote:
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> Manned helpers Needles to Goffs? But not to Ash
> Hill?

Someone can correct me if im wrong but all trains on the southern transcon are built with Ash Hill in mind, I believe they use the Seligman's Yampai grade to determine the order of trains that traverse Ash Hill on any given day. Helpers are needed since the trains come to a stop at Needles for crew changes and right out of Needles heading RR West its a constant grade out of the Colorado River Valley up to Goffs. After peaking Goffs trains heading RR West can coast down the hill and have no problem getting over Ash Hill when the time comes. 

Im sure I got something wrong so anyone who knows please correct me but this is what I know

The timetable shows 1.41% from Needles to Goffs, 1.44% Bagdad to Ash Hill, 1.08% Ludlow to Lavic.  Unless it has changed, helpers are not used that often, certainly not on every westbound.  Many times a helper is dispatched to go west to help a train with power problems.  Someone who watches the Needles East railcam can tell by the ebb and flow of helpers from the tracks across from the mainlines.  As of right now, it only shows 3 units there.

mapboy

The couple instances I've seen did involve power problems and the train that turned at Newberry was having major dynamic
issues and BNSF seemed reluctant to let the train down any hill on air only.

Out 

We used to push to Hector , then return to Needles.