Eastern Railroad Discussion > N&W 611 on Lurgan line, plus KCS visitor

Lees Coss Roads, PA., first a westbound manifest with a KCS visitor

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Then the big show, many local Mennonites/Amish out for this.
 

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Farther south at Marion, PA

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Nice photos, especially the one showing the entire consist passing by the open field.

bigsavage Wrote:
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> Lees Coss Roads, PA., first a westbound manifest
> with a KCS visitor

This was 13Z.

Posted from Android

Front page story at heraldmailmedia.com
Don't miss the 14-photo gallery with the article

Interesting images.

Is it just me, or are others wondering why, in most cases, regardless the numbers of cars, if there is a steam locomotive occupied, there is ALMOST ALWAYS a diesel somewhere in the consist these days? It's like it's a given the steam engine will break/not be enough power, despite they were the primary souce of power for over a centery.

Matthew

Cumberland Wrote:
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> Interesting images.
>
> Is it just me, or are others wondering why, in
> most cases, regardless the numbers of cars, if
> there is a steam locomotive occupied, there is
> ALMOST ALWAYS a diesel somewhere in the consist
> these days? It's like it's a given the steam
> engine will break/not be enough power, despite
> they were the primary souce of power for over a
> centery.
>
> Matthew


The steam engine is NOT equipped with PTC, thus a PTC equipped diesel MUST be in the lead. Concerning UP #4014, it is partially equipped with PTC, being that the computer screens and air brake penalty application hardware are also on 4014, however the "master PTC computer" is in the trailing diesel unit, with associated cabling to the 4014. Thus, UP 4014 CAN be leading (as well as 844, if it ever operates again).

When NS moves a steam locomotive, such as N&W 611 or NKP 765, the PTC equipped diesel MUST be leading.

Very interesting! Thank you.

Matthew

HotWater Wrote:
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> Cumberland Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Interesting images.
> >
> > Is it just me, or are others wondering why, in
> > most cases, regardless the numbers of cars, if
> > there is a steam locomotive occupied, there is
> > ALMOST ALWAYS a diesel somewhere in the consist
> > these days? It's like it's a given the steam
> > engine will break/not be enough power, despite
> > they were the primary souce of power for over a
> > centery.
> >
> > Matthew
>
>
> The steam engine is NOT equipped with PTC, thus a
> PTC equipped diesel MUST be in the lead.
> Concerning UP #4014, it is partially equipped with
> PTC, being that the computer screens and air brake
> penalty application hardware are also on 4014,
> however the "master PTC computer" is in the
> trailing diesel unit, with associated cabling to
> the 4014. Thus, UP 4014 CAN be leading (as well as
> 844, if it ever operates again).
>
> When NS moves a steam locomotive, such as N&W 611
> or NKP 765, the PTC equipped diesel MUST be
> leading.

VMT and FWRHS, along with NMSLRHS, all got some grant money years ago to facilitate the addition of PTC. Of those only 2926 has had it installed and it has not reached the mainline yet. My understanding is 3751 got it too but last year's single trip from Los Angeles to Fullerton for an OLI event did not see it lead, with Amtrak's provided unit doing the job on the return to LAX.

765 does not have it yet that I know of. Nathansixchime could chime in on if that's a long term plan, but for their operations on the Indiana Northeastern that I am assuming will run through 2024 or 2025, it's not needed.

As for 611, those close to it would have to confirm but it looks like they don't have it either. HOWEVER, for this ferry move it would not matter for another reason: NS uses a cab signal system for the ex-N&W south of Hagerstown (I think Front Royal is where it starts, someone with more local knowledge is welcome to check me) and that is not installed on the locomotive.

If I recall correctly, the rumored venues for the locomotive don't have PTC at all or are PTC exempt which similar to 765's ops on the INER would absolve the immediate need. But I guess we'll find out about that.

One thing is for sure though - the era of steam operating alone on Class Is is over. As a point of continuing to see mainline engines run AT ALL we need to just accept that. 

Back in Roanoke @ 14:30, in the gate at VMT by 15:55.