Eastern Railroad Discussion > DPU's ?..............let's call 'em "Drones"

With the rapid proliferation of Distributed Power Units (DPUs) in the East on CSXT and NS, let's nickname them "drones"  Acronyms are fine, but more colorful nicknames can also be fun.  After all, they "drone" along in the middle or end of a long train, merely following the leaders up ahead, and the engineer with the "flight controller".
Shenandoah Jct., WV  is a popular over/under crossing where we now see frequent "drones" inserted in 10-12,000' trains on both NS and CSXT.  Only three miles away is a diamond crossing of both railroads at Charles Town, WV.  On 12/31/20 we say good riddance to 2020 with action at both locations. Westbounds Q135 and 217 both have the mid train units.  At Charles Town southbound NS coaler has them on the rear  An eastbound unit oil train is thrown in for added color.

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And with the proliferation of railfans with drones, let's nickname them "Droamers". 

Southbound NS coal train with two drones on the rear, crosses the CSXT diamond at Charles Town, WV as 2020 thankfully draws to a close  (12/31/20)

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Q135 struggles up the hill at Shenandoah Jct.   1+1 is barely enough for a two mile train.  He will outlaw long before reaching Cumberland.
217 is right on his heels with 2+1 and two miles of train, and "yellows" all the way

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...but, DPU is easier to type AND say...

Edit: MP208; do you happen to have a YouTube channel using Railfan Rowan?

CW

That would not be a popular term on my district where we have had worries about carrier officers using drones for surveillance.  Also in our urban areas we have had trouble with civillians being in yards and on mainline tracks flying their drones.  Some drones have nearly collided with our trains.

the drone operator would drone on about all the drones following the heritage drone

A drone can go anywhere, but a DPU has to follow the leader.  ;-)

thats a good one, Dromers.

Rowen had a good one at Summit.  I once poured sand from a coffee cup ahead of a coal train near Gardner, MA......we made it.

MP208; he put one up recently where the conductor was on the ground sweeping snow off the rail ahead of 11Z. That the one you’re thinking of?

CW

Posted from iPhone

Drones for DPUs   Nahhhh.  Confusing.  Subject title   "Q405 with Drones"   Does that mean photo from drone or train with DPUs.  Not a good fit. 

Dupes?
Doops?
 

Why nickname everything, just leave it what it is, a DPU......

EL-SD45-3632 Wrote:
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> Why nickname everything, just leave it what it is,
> a DPU......

I completely agree