Nostalgia & History > Putting pedal to the metal. Diesels strutting their stuff.

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Before I get a bunch of comments saying smoking diesels usually indicated some maintenance required... I know! This is a totally individual pleasure that I enjoyed photographing. not just smoke, but the sheer power of the exhaust, working upgrade, was the way to let everyone know that these internal combustion contraptions could employ maximum muscle. Today, the power run so much cleaner and quieter, they make pulling a PSR length train look like a local with five cars. Watching the Virtual Railfan cam of Horseshoe Curve is sometimes quite incredible. Watching some of the westbounds, with only two units, scoot upgrade at 30 plus mph, with no helper is amazing. But in the "old days'" you could here the upgrade trains miles away as twice the number of units were working for all they were worth. Same on Sand Patch, Cranberry, or a hundred other major grades around the country. So. we'll just tale a peak at old school power display, and why we loved them.

top...helpers on the most diverse group of helpers used in the east. Eastbound coal on the WM grade at Williamsport...always a show!

middle...Western Maryland did it weat of Cumberland as well. This westbound is just out of the Narrows, heading for Connellsville.

bottom...Back to the Williamsport show

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/19/23 03:41 by Roadjob.

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top...BN struttung their stuff on the Joint Line

middle...D&H pouring it on. Southbounf attacking the north slope of Belden Hill.

bottom...eastbound cranking it approaching Rockville bridge

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

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top...Soutbound at Collier Petersburg Va

middle...Santa Fe eastbound at Dagget Ca.

bottom...southbound D&H/Guilford cresting Belden Hill.

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

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top... westbound west of Susquehanna Pa.

middle...westbound at Oakland Md.

bottom...eastbound cresting the grade at Norden Ca.

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

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Those are some great shots, Bill!  Glad very much that you are sharing them here!

texchief1

Moments like these, and the thundering one feels through the ground, are top reasons I like watching trains.  What amazing collections you post here.  Thank you.  

Roadjob Wrote:
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> top...BN struttung their stuff on the Joint Line
Your train hasnt quite gotten to the joint line yet.  Its on the BN Brush Sub at West Irondale (note Purina in the back ground).  It has about 7 miles till Denver, then the Joint trackage will start.
Great shots!  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/23 07:05 by Pinlifter.

Regarding #4, I see some SP power in the consist, so I am guessing this train is bound for the coal-fired plant outside of San Antonio, TX - looks like the right model of gondolas, too.

Matthew

When you see the exhaust go straight up they are digging for all they are worth.

The EL shot at Susquehanna says it all, in typical EL fashion; "Notch 8 and hold on !"
They don't roll'em like that anymore.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/23 08:51 by train1275.

Very enjoyable series of trains working hard and heavy!

Larry

Cumberland MD based passenger train and engine crews worked to and from Grafton, WV. on the B&O at Oakland, MD.
 

Awesome picture set, particularly the shot near Collier Yard

Beautiful B&W's.

Robert Morris
Dunsmuir, CA
Robert Morris Photography