tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50415520856576895202024-02-27T20:49:39.467-08:00Milepost 154: A Train BlogDedicated to all the hard-working railroaders who have ever hogged an engine, thrown a switch, walked a train, welded a rail, pulled a tie, fixed a circuit, replaced a knuckle, poured fuel or sand, repaired, hostled, cleaned or cursed at a locomotive or a car in the dead of night, in the rain, in the snow, in the glazing heat. You keep America moving, now more than ever.Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-56333472549221615092014-02-17T18:44:00.002-08:002014-02-18T06:55:44.365-08:00Revisiting the Roseville Yard -- and UP's renumbering of the venerable SD9043AC:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mid-February, I chanced to re-visit the Roseville Yard on my way to Nevada in order to take a high-elevation vacation in the snow with my bountiful and beautiful wife, the love of my life.<br />
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I have already documented <a href="http://mp154trainblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-brief-visit-to-ups-roseville-yard.html"><u><span style="color: cyan;">one prior visit here, on the blog</span></u></a>. This yielded some interesting views of the highly unique and exclusive <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sd59mx"><u><span style="color: cyan;">SD-59MX</span></u></a>, of which there are only three extant.<br />
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I also revealed the above aerial view of the Roseville Yard, taken by myself from a law enforcement helicopter a few years ago, because I have worked for various LE agencies for roughly 40 years.<br />
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During this visit, I found Roseville's <a href="http://www.up.com/aboutup/facilities/davis/index.htm"><span style="color: cyan;">J.R. Davis Yard</span></a> to be remarkably settled <i>but</i> -- yet -- concealing a major revelation. See the below photos to disclose this new discovery, with captions.<br />
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The problem with posts such as this revolve around the time required to monitor the proper uploading and accurate portrayal of posts such as I would demand. Two or three photographs, on my current provider, require a good half hour. With ADD as I have, that tasks me completely. Which is why I don't post here as much as I would wish. Because I, frankly, haven't the patience, primarily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIusZOACBZfeoIewGGDThQIqx6KnpwsxDlelF60o_tbT32-vtZA94cN50NRIxYkUiQ9hcIGNb45mq8F3ByTIEj1BITqaf13N-ZU3r0ekxgie-RFOriA0bb9nTUrJoYkg_2oy3WEeyfuQx/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIusZOACBZfeoIewGGDThQIqx6KnpwsxDlelF60o_tbT32-vtZA94cN50NRIxYkUiQ9hcIGNb45mq8F3ByTIEj1BITqaf13N-ZU3r0ekxgie-RFOriA0bb9nTUrJoYkg_2oy3WEeyfuQx/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here, an elder EMD GP-38-2 unit, 587, is hooked to a younger EMD SD-70M.</div>
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An actual UP, former SP, rotary plow numbered SP MW 211, weighing in at 265,740 thousand stated pounds, not counting the tender behind.</div>
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Close-up, a rotary plow unit, co-powered by steam and diesel.</div>
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Cab view of a GP38-2 unit in perfect working condition.</div>
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The J.R. Davis Yard main building on Atkinson Street in Roseville, CA</div>
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Looking west, with a warning sign that still creates chaotic union reactions.</div>
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UP 3583, a former 8000-series EMD SD9043AC unit. Embiggen the photo and then try to deduce the original number. Can you do it?</div>
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UP 3660 and UP 3583.</div>
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Harbor mist grey. Armor yellow. An updated yellow rectangle easily replaces an entire locomotive repaint, does it not, in terms of overall cost?</div>
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This Roseville siding holds some major techno updates that, in reality, didn't quite pan out for the manufacturer, EMD, and the locomotive purchaser, Union Pacific.</div>
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The great line of the classic intro SD-9043AC units. They shipped with only 4,300hp prime movers.</div>
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The massive line. Once-respected EMD SD-90MACs now diminished in terms of primacy and in terms of numbers.<br />
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Stay safe and be well.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-38142004564719251472014-01-01T16:35:00.001-08:002014-01-01T16:51:02.848-08:00Amtrak's #6 California Zephyr east, before the snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckp6G0YEfimSYiFwGC3ar7DxoiEG5tFW3t4VidJGcRJMTkXszv5cD9RhtJdeIEUPI6yZvW8pvr3vueAsJShFUgYQa2K3clxR749DsoehTtGn2X5GvRRwn9hyphenhyphenTjnR5gHOAA3QgJAQ3gdGz/s1600/Amtrak+Zephyr+%2375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckp6G0YEfimSYiFwGC3ar7DxoiEG5tFW3t4VidJGcRJMTkXszv5cD9RhtJdeIEUPI6yZvW8pvr3vueAsJShFUgYQa2K3clxR749DsoehTtGn2X5GvRRwn9hyphenhyphenTjnR5gHOAA3QgJAQ3gdGz/s320/Amtrak+Zephyr+%2375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's no secret that <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_24812749/california-drought-deepens-another-years-rains-stay-away"><span style="color: cyan;"><u>Fornicalia isn't getting a lot of rain</u></span></a> whilst -- simultaneously -- the rest of the nation is getting sopped, socked, soaked and snowed-upon. (Click on the photo to embiggen.)<br />
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A <a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/17277-global-warming-alarmists-stuck-in-antarctic-sea-ice"><u><span style="color: cyan;">passel of scientists/alarmists trying to prove global warming got trapped in Arctic ice</span></u></a>.<br />
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My Unalaska friends on <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/deadliest-catch"><span style="color: cyan;"><u><i>The Deadliest Catch</i></u></span></a> have to put up with <i>this</i> in the Bering Sea:<br />
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That said, living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the 4,000-foot level, I've only received one snowfall in mid-December of 2013, and it was somewhat pedestrian. Not that my back or my shovel are complaining, mind you.<br />
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This video was made just <i>before</i> my December snowfall as the #6 California Zephyr left Colfax and gained track speed of 30 mph on its way towards the Long Ravine bridge and then Cape Horn. One point I love: listen to the horn as the train passes: a clear example of the Doppler Effect.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="197" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/j0r4bwFCzdg" width="350"></iframe>
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<b>[</b> Please click on the video above and then enlarge in HD. Its original URL is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0r4bwFCzdg <b>]</b><br />
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Two engines, nine cars, some very bruised clouds and a vocal crow in the background.<b> </b><br />
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Colfax can be a tricky place for trains and engineers, as it sits in a bit of a depression. Approaching Colfax, an engineer must not let the train run away and exceed the speed limit as you are traveling downhill by a few degrees. Leaving Colfax, there is a bit of a climb and, if stopping, one must ensure sufficient braking energy so the train does not begin to back up. This is a challenge for engineers who must spot bad order cars or move to a siding in Colfax.<br />
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As you can see, this Zephyr is led by the standard <a href="http://locomotive.wikia.com/wiki/GE_Genesis_Series"><span style="color: cyan;"><u>GE Genesis P42DC</u></span></a> locomotive with 4,200 hp. If you wish to examine the interior of an Amtrak P42DC locomotive, <a href="http://mp154trainblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/inside-amtrak-ge-p42dc-locomotive.html"><span style="color: cyan;"><u>check my post <b>here</b> for great detail</u></span></a>.<br />
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An interesting point: at a time when most diesel-electric locomotives have transitioned over to AC driven power, Amtrak's fleet consists primarily of DC locomotives. This, frankly, speaks volumes about the durability and efficacy of GE's original Genesis fleet and their reliability.<br />
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God bless and be safe.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-55658121612300873172013-12-29T16:26:00.000-08:002013-12-29T16:28:20.982-08:00There and Back AgainMy most sincere apologies for not having posted in a brutally long time.<br />
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I have had an insane time with Google not being kind, and/or myself not being smarter than Google -- likely the second part.<br />
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That said, a video up for grabs:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="180" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Idfnj8Sd6rA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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My videos are still being created by the original Cisco Flip HD -- a camera no longer created or supported by Cisco. In the above video, I learned how to briefly edit internally per scene, which is how I was able to bring out solely audio from the detector at Milepost 154.4 at the end.<br />
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The first locomotive is a GE P42DC in Amtrak livery on the Roseville Subdivision's westbound #1 track. This is the California Zephyr heading towards Auburn, Roseville and then Sacramento.<br />
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I missed the lead unit on the freight train, heading uphill on the #2 track. You can see, however, that UP 5279 -- a GE C45ACCTE -- is working as a mid-train helper, with UP 5148 (an EMD SD-70M) and UP 7476 (a GE C45ACCTE in UP parlance, and ES44AC in GE lingo) pushing at the end.<br />
<br />
It's Christmas week, so time to make a hit-and-run post. Now that I've made peace again with Google and Blogger, more to come.<br />
<br />
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and God bless us all in the potentially contentious New Year.<br />
<br />
Be safe and healthy.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-23213585165763229642013-09-02T22:51:00.000-07:002013-09-02T23:10:03.243-07:00A brief visit to UP's Roseville Yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1ZKpubHqiaVJGZNfPdxA7Rq1b2PrWrh7tNdoX9PhX-sFhaJ3vVlpwiGXwstdV9tRO3ebI0TYaxTa3-F_XSJOS5dq3N7_ueFjgj3aZWiGeEjIGh33-w-0pnHSi2RS0zmM37gZvBfKbEWE/s1600/Roseville+Yard+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Below, an overview of UP's Roseville classification yard (taken by me from <a href="http://www.star6.org/about/history">Star 6,</a> a LE helo):<br />
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And then, on another day, I chanced to encounter a wonderful triumvirate of SD59MX locomotives on a side track whilst I bopped around the Roseville Yard:<br />
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The SD59MX -- of which there are three -- the 9900, the 9911 and the 9922 -- was originally built as an SD60M. Three units were converted to the newest enviro-compliant strictures and then re-named as SD59MX -- SD for its three-axle trucks, 59 for its similarity to an SD60, M due to its comfort cab, and X for experimental. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokKteBi8rNXUx5EIUql0nDr754EUr4nXAMKBRzwU07qOP1r5WyIWbKjWgpqHGu91lWit6RDrIrFEcj3jPNANH9FOZ4Fz14Lx120v1JIBhfzwUyx2ot7CiyVH3qR9OW3_TLk8jW4ja9t3E/s1600/DSC01690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokKteBi8rNXUx5EIUql0nDr754EUr4nXAMKBRzwU07qOP1r5WyIWbKjWgpqHGu91lWit6RDrIrFEcj3jPNANH9FOZ4Fz14Lx120v1JIBhfzwUyx2ot7CiyVH3qR9OW3_TLk8jW4ja9t3E/s320/DSC01690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv0iEyUTuwh36HpYaeGz0fOq-lNnsQjydMP40yNMhR7nL8NrwwelqN72_ZsuVZZrYvIsSOiSyW0CxW1lOtvS_NP1OGjtLT9wz01AYj5qusSUFIsHiw_jcRx4JTvoz41DU8IMs1KiZs9_2/s1600/DSC01693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguv0iEyUTuwh36HpYaeGz0fOq-lNnsQjydMP40yNMhR7nL8NrwwelqN72_ZsuVZZrYvIsSOiSyW0CxW1lOtvS_NP1OGjtLT9wz01AYj5qusSUFIsHiw_jcRx4JTvoz41DU8IMs1KiZs9_2/s320/DSC01693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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That said, there is this photograph: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4CqDk0GYMV4cSSZMFS8jz2ogiNI0gW3a2Urrh3Ew7c2npqpzekABQhIUxZIC1HzWD26PqSkJ90-k-C9Jrg2BGOjwpDEs-9Mi0fAiF0MGHRSAfkBKddymyfUBpH7VcX6ieAQQ5CACHTcQ/s1600/DSC01684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4CqDk0GYMV4cSSZMFS8jz2ogiNI0gW3a2Urrh3Ew7c2npqpzekABQhIUxZIC1HzWD26PqSkJ90-k-C9Jrg2BGOjwpDEs-9Mi0fAiF0MGHRSAfkBKddymyfUBpH7VcX6ieAQQ5CACHTcQ/s320/DSC01684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As well as any number of Union Pacific 59X photos:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e4ShZc1tEWcVgXV1eOZrbN18sOmh3xukiE33hHoG1o0dNpKGs5qLYiWbPSWVC_Vw2Sv96Vj8MW9oz2mLiGMXnpUfLc2m1VJcaRuoyzxf2vIto2oF-ShSsb95c8k4ub68JxTgmhFIvrSW/s1600/DSC01685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e4ShZc1tEWcVgXV1eOZrbN18sOmh3xukiE33hHoG1o0dNpKGs5qLYiWbPSWVC_Vw2Sv96Vj8MW9oz2mLiGMXnpUfLc2m1VJcaRuoyzxf2vIto2oF-ShSsb95c8k4ub68JxTgmhFIvrSW/s320/DSC01685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Oddly enough, Union Pacific features three former SD60 locomotives as UP 9900, 9911 and 9922. In intervals of 11?<br />
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Information about the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sd59mx">SD59MX</a> here.<br />
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The EMD SD59M-2, more commonly referred to as the SD59MX, is one of the rarest locomotives in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Railroad" title="Union Pacific Railroad">Union Pacific</a> motive power fleet. SD59M-2s are remanufactured SD60Ms.<br />
Spotting features:<br />
<ol>
<li>Wide-nose, so far only the later two-window wide nose rather than
the earlier three-window "tri-clops" wide nose and none of the
traditional <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD40-2" title="EMD SD40-2"><i>40 Series</i></a> cab SD60s have been converted.</li>
<li>Slightly slanted air intakes.</li>
<li>High-adhesion <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HT-C_truck" title="HT-C truck">HT-C trucks</a>, reused from the "donor" <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SD60M" title="SD60M">SD60M</a>, rather than the newer "radial" or "bolsterless" trucks. Nearly all SD40-2s and SD50s used the same truck.</li>
<li>Safety fuel tank like that found on current SD70Ms.</li>
</ol>
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That said, my tour continued, as documented here on video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J5fMOpwrvKQ" width="380"></iframe>
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This was an active day at the Roseville Yard.<br />
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Amtrak's #5 westbound pounded through the yard, and any number of other freight locomotives were featured in and around the locomotive maintenance sheds and the drop pits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniDZGVI4VpphRIfAt8eamg8JQjMDURU2Nk3gzPgDFPtSzw7B3lVWc8S2_wJSLGCXps6wiO_FBRAO8-NIb_VFxS32DeY8PDXWsJPfHUHlAUqcvgcJARxLxThRKGaWEBnakHZ8X_5GNBg9e/s1600/DSC01699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniDZGVI4VpphRIfAt8eamg8JQjMDURU2Nk3gzPgDFPtSzw7B3lVWc8S2_wJSLGCXps6wiO_FBRAO8-NIb_VFxS32DeY8PDXWsJPfHUHlAUqcvgcJARxLxThRKGaWEBnakHZ8X_5GNBg9e/s320/DSC01699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here, new and older traction motors await installation or repair. It is interesting to note that the listed weight on a typical traction motor set, here, is 11,000 pounds or 5.5 tons.<br />
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Here, a D90 traction motor awaits replacement for an EMD SD70M.<br />
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And that the discoveries are rated and beyond.<br />
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Here, another D90 traction motor waits for installation into an EMD SD70M locomotive, again rated at 11,000 pounds.<br />
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Below, a GE locomotive reveals its under-cab under-HVAC-and-air guts:<br />
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Below, an EMD SD70ACe reveals its clear cab isolation from the rest of the frame.<br />
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And elder GE unit just west of the J.R. Davis office building.<br />
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Here, an overview of the <a href="http://www.up.com/aboutup/facilities/davis/index.htm">J.R. Davis Roseville Yard</a>:<br />
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<b>Features:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Encompasses 915 acres</li>
<li>55 bowl tracks</li>
<li>50 miles of track constructed around local area for bulk and intermodal trains</li>
<li>More than 86 miles of new track</li>
<li>247 switches</li>
<li>2 main lines</li>
<li>6,500 rail car capacity</li>
<li>1,800-2,300 cars per day classification ability</li>
<li>8 receiving and departure tracks</li>
<li>New repair facility</li>
</ul>
The private varnish at the end of the California Zephyr #5, the westbound, was the <a href="http://www.sierrahotel.com/">Sierra Hotel</a>.<br />
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Please click on each photo above and below in order to embiggen.<br />
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<br />
<br />
In the heat of the moment, the bulk of these photographs were taken during the summer in 100-degree inspiration.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-47095365436214731162013-07-30T20:11:00.000-07:002013-07-30T20:12:56.598-07:00General Electric locomotive manufacturing leaves Erie, PA for Ft Worth, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ3toGzEZKEFYv-G9rP7yMQaNzpJZm4EHLBHrbzVwA7ZUZHpPXQ4O2WFIaNtDCznTRxgSsIP15Jbq6Y65a3GwUW91ut4jrLzkpS9HG1Jhl6iY4w7BOw_ac7P0mf4-dZVhp5GruVjPrO3e/s1600/GE_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ3toGzEZKEFYv-G9rP7yMQaNzpJZm4EHLBHrbzVwA7ZUZHpPXQ4O2WFIaNtDCznTRxgSsIP15Jbq6Y65a3GwUW91ut4jrLzkpS9HG1Jhl6iY4w7BOw_ac7P0mf4-dZVhp5GruVjPrO3e/s320/GE_logo.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
And it's all because of unions, wages and profitability.<br />
<br />
Let there be no mistake: for whatever reason I have somehow favored EMD locomotives over GE locomotives. Perhaps because of the historical issue or perhaps because I watched more EMD locomotives in my area? I'm not sure.
However, why was it that General Electric believed that it had to open a new manufacturing facility in Texas, as opposed to its former and historical plant in Erie, Pennsylvania?
<iframe frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="http://eplayer.clipsyndicate.com/embed/iframe?aspect_ratio=16x9&auto_next=0&auto_start=0&page_count=5&pf_id=10236&pl_id=24326&rel=3&show_title=1&va_id=3226212&volume=8&windows=1" width="425"></iframe>
Because of margins.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-09/ge-plans-to-cut-950-jobs-at-100-year-old-train-plant.html">BloombergNews ran this story</a> back in April of this year:<br />
<br />
<div class="clearfix" id="story_head">
<div id="disqus_title">
<h1>
<i>GE Plans to Cut 950 Jobs at 100-Year-Old Train Plant</i></h1>
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="clearfix" id="story_meta">
<cite class="byline">
By <span class="last">Thomas Black</span> -
<span class="datestamp" style="display: inline;">Apr 9, 2013 11:37 AM PT</span> </cite>
</div>
<i>
</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><a class="web_ticker" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/GE:US" title="Get Quote">General Electric Co. (GE)</a> plans to cut
950 jobs at a <a href="http://topics.bloomberg.com/pennsylvania/">Pennsylvania</a> locomotive plant, wiping out most of
the site’s recent employment growth, as it shifts some
production to a lower-cost factory in <a href="http://topics.bloomberg.com/texas/">Texas</a>. </i><br />
<i>
</i><i>Reductions at the factory in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is
more than 100 years old, are slated to start in six months
pending 60 days of talks with union officials, who oppose the
move. The new plant in <a href="http://topics.bloomberg.com/fort-worth/">Fort Worth</a>, Texas, is about 20 percent
more efficient, said Lorenzo Simonelli, head of GE’s
transportation unit. </i><br />
<br />
<a class="enlarge_image" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/photo/ge-locomotive-/312129.html" rel="#img_312129" target="_blank">
Enlarge image
<img alt="GE LOCOMOTIVE " class="small_img img_keep_size" src="http://www.bloomberg.com/image/inSWFJdTKdlE.jpg" /> </a>
<br />
<div class="caption">
<i>A file photo shows workers
assembling a General Electric Co. GE Transportation locomotive at the GE
plant in Erie, Pennsylvania during May 2009. Photographer: Doug
Benz/Bloomberg </i></div>
<i>
</i><i>“Cost is becoming more and more of a factor,” Simonelli
said in an interview. “We’ve got to match our competition and
that’s what we’re trying to do.” </i><br />
<br />
<i>GE had expanded its workforce at Erie by about 1,000 in the
past two years to 5,500 today as it increased output of
locomotives and mining equipment. The plant in Fort Worth, which
employs a fraction of that number, began some production in June
and started building locomotives in January. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Transportation and other manufacturing businesses like
health care and energy have been a focus of Chief Executive
Officer <a href="http://topics.bloomberg.com/jeffrey-immelt/">Jeffrey Immelt</a>’s growth strategy. He’s shrinking the
finance unit after credit-market disruptions in 2008 jeopardized
the company. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Industrial sales accounted for more than <a class="web_ticker" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/GE:US" title="Get Quote">65 percent</a> of GE’s
$144.8 billion in revenue last year, with $5.6 billion coming
from GE Transportation. The Fairfield, Connecticut-based company
is the world’s largest builder of locomotives. </i><br />
<br />
Bigger, at this point, than EMD -- whom Union Pacific quite frankly saved in 2001 with its purchase of 1,000 EMD SD70M locomotives. In order to keep the domestic locomotive market competitive.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.</b>, also referred to as "<b>EMD</b>", is owned by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Inc." title="Caterpillar Inc.">Caterpillar</a> through its wholly owned subsidiary <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_Rail_Services_Corporation" title="Progress Rail Services Corporation">Progress Rail Services Corporation</a>. The company designs, manufactures and sells <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-electric_locomotive" title="Diesel-electric locomotive">diesel-electric locomotives</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuel" title="Diesel fuel">diesel</a> power <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine" title="Internal combustion engine">engines</a> under the Electro-Motive Diesel <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand" title="Brand">brand</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-about_1-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Diesel#cite_note-about-1">[1]</a></sup> EMD offers an extensive range of locomotive products in the rail industry.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-emd_purchase_2-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Motive_Diesel#cite_note-emd_purchase-2">[2]</a></sup></i><br />
<br />
<i>
</i><i>Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. traces its roots to the Electro-Motive Engineering Corporation, founded in 1922. In 1930, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Corporation" title="General Motors Corporation">General Motors Corporation</a> purchased the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winton_Motor_Carriage_Company" title="Winton Motor Carriage Company">Winton Engine Co.</a>
and Winton's primary customer of gasoline engines, Electro-Motive
Corporation (a gasoline-electric car manufacturer), combining the two to
form GM's <b>Electro-Motive Division</b> (EMD) on January 1, 1941.</i><br />
<br />
<i>
</i><i>In 2005, GM sold EMD to Greenbriar Equity Group LLC and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkshire_Partners" title="Berkshire Partners">Berkshire Partners LLC</a>,
which formed Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., to facilitate the purchase.
On August 2, 2010, Progress Rail Services Corporation completed the
purchase of Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. from Greenbriar, Berkshire, et
al. making Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of
Progress Rail Services Corporation.</i><br />
<br />
But here's the smoking EMD gun:<br />
<br />
<i>In 1999, Union Pacific placed the largest single order for diesel
locomotives in North American railroad history when they ordered 1,000
units of the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD70M" title="EMD SD70M">EMD SD70M</a>.
Union Pacific's fleet of SD70Ms has since been expanded by more than
450 additional units. In addition, Union Pacific also owns nearly 500 <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD70ACe" title="EMD SD70ACe">EMD SD70ACe</a>'s, a number of which have been painted in "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_flag" title="Fallen flag">Fallen Flags</a>" (acquired/merged railroads) commemorative liveries. All of these locomotives are 710G-powered.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
That order, simply stated, kept EMD alive today.<br />
<br />
Whilst EMD is on the mend, GE is taking hits in its profit margins.<br />
<br />
However:<br />
<h2>
<i>Union Resistance </i></h2>
<i>The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of
America, which represents about 3,500 GE workers in Erie, said
the shift is unacceptable. </i><br />
<br />
<i>“We intend to resist this with every tool at our disposal
and to fight tooth and nail to retain all of the work that has
always been done there,” Chris Townsend, the union’s political
director, said in a telephone interview. </i><br />
<br />
Let me note: Texas is a "right to work" state.<br />
<br />
Texas is sucking up work from most Leftist states, to include my Fornicalia and, here, Pennsylvania as well.<br />
<br />
GE and its unions in Erie failed to reach an agreement in June, which meant that GE will cut 950 jobs in October. It will also shift production of its profitable GE Evolution Series freight locomotives from Erie to Texas.<br />
<br />
GE indicated the Ft Worth plant has a 20% productivity advantage over Erie -- and that, now, GE faces a new and stronger competition from EMD than ever before.<br />
<br />
I can't help it: a nice video of a GE Dash-8 unit starting up.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8SxuIoZrrO8" width="560"></iframe>
And then, there it is. Once again Obama insists that the economy is back on track when -- in true statistics -- it is estimated that roughly 18% to 20% of the nation is unemployed or uninterested in looking for jobs.<br />
<br />
A far cry from his figures.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, employment goes where it goes.<br />
<br />
And: Detroit is the result.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-38916449484821132582013-07-23T20:22:00.001-07:002013-07-23T20:22:18.719-07:00UP to resurrect an actual Big Boy steam locomotive?In a word: yes.<br />
<br />
From the <a href="http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2013/0723_4014.shtml">actual Union Pacific website itself</a>:<br />
<br />
<h1>
Union Pacific Railroad Acquires Big Boy Locomotive No. 4014 </h1>
<div class="titlesub">
Railroad Plans to Restore One of the Largest Steam Locomotives Ever Built</div>
<div id="boxAttach">
<div class="contents">
<div class="subhead">
Resources</div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null"><img alt="Download" border="0" class="thm" src="http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/graphics/2013/historical_4014_big_boy_web.jpg" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Download</a><br /> (74K JPEG file)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null">Download</a><br /> (1547K JPEG file)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/locomotives/4014.shtml">About Big Boy No. 4014</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/steam/index.shtml">UP Steam</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span><span style="color: cyan;"><span class="PlaceDate">Omaha, Neb., July 23, 2013</span> –
Union Pacific Railroad today announced it reached an agreement with the
Southern California Chapter - Railway & Locomotive Historical
Society in Pomona, Calif., to transfer ownership of one of the world's
largest steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014, back to Union Pacific.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">Union Pacific plans to relocate No. 4014 to Cheyenne, Wyo., where
Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet Operations team will work to restore it
to operating condition. Details regarding those efforts will be made
public at a later date.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">Union Pacific donated No. 4014 to the historical society December 7,
1961. The locomotive arrived January 8, 1962, at its current display
location at the Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span><span style="color: cyan;">No other railroad has retained its historical equipment or honored its American roots like Union Pacific.</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">"Our steam locomotive program is a source of great pride to Union
Pacific employees past and present," said Ed Dickens, senior manager -
Union Pacific Heritage Operations. "We are very excited about the
opportunity to bring history to life by restoring No. 4014."</span><br />
<br />
I commend Union Pacific for their strident support of our railroad heritage via various locomotives and concomitant passenger cars.<br />
<br />
I am personally familiar with this static locomotive in Pomona, California, because it rests adjacent an area I visit yearly, where LASO tests cop cars at its EVOC facility, next to the Los Angeles County Fair and the NHRA Museum.<br />
<br />
I submit that it is <i><b>only</b></i> Union Pacific that could have the strength, the commitment, the wherewithal and the dollars to bring an actual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_Big_Boy">Alco Big Boy</a> back to life.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR8ocyuGzlg-NgNkV8UHk4fuKCCxb9-5HE2_9FF3ZX9gy-0kp29ZjRgtuGMxAhh-_odvXZFytU0Dn33mWIP_OYHo7rjVGfm04VwKTRp-Y8qyuFP0t3x_SVxyqTqTOJ0rwvWqncZdZkC7w/s1600/UP_Big_Boy_4014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR8ocyuGzlg-NgNkV8UHk4fuKCCxb9-5HE2_9FF3ZX9gy-0kp29ZjRgtuGMxAhh-_odvXZFytU0Dn33mWIP_OYHo7rjVGfm04VwKTRp-Y8qyuFP0t3x_SVxyqTqTOJ0rwvWqncZdZkC7w/s320/UP_Big_Boy_4014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Above is the Pomona locomotive on static display, kept in reasonable shape by the heat and the lack of humidity in the region.<br />
<br />
And here is a wonderful video:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/x8f9VFlNyDQ" width="420"></iframe>
Will Union Pacific make good on its aim?<br />
<br />
Only time will tell.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-72121769905141859772013-06-18T21:36:00.001-07:002013-06-21T04:25:53.511-07:00MP154: three trains in a half hourAnd there I was, thinking I could possibly pull off another train meet on video. As immured here:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hZEBclv24Rs" width="380"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
I knew that UP 4878 had already passed Alta and was on its way downhill towards my favorite spot under Interstate 80.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNTjM7kll16YBmSjEyWIq5uk1tp_mHCIrhLVimGetjYxASf93XvRrBwFEsrHfEPbGQbs56cXiiM_-ENLTsQKWJSRuP4YO8tg0WoesNqPH8z0FNuKd4lw04IxEPuWxrWO2DkPIt2VvJ-IP/s1600/UP+4878+West+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNTjM7kll16YBmSjEyWIq5uk1tp_mHCIrhLVimGetjYxASf93XvRrBwFEsrHfEPbGQbs56cXiiM_-ENLTsQKWJSRuP4YO8tg0WoesNqPH8z0FNuKd4lw04IxEPuWxrWO2DkPIt2VvJ-IP/s320/UP+4878+West+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here, UP 4878 West -- a priority Z Train -- heads downhill on the #2 track, an EMD SD70M with 4,000 hp manufactured between 2000 and 2004, one of 1,083 such units.<br />
<br />
In number 2 position was UP 7920, a GE C45ACCTE with 4,400 hp, followed by UP 6398 in third position, an original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Pacific_Transportation_Company"><span style="color: cyan;">Southern Pacific</span></a> (and the last of this order) GE C44AC with 4,390 hp manufactured in 1995 and one of 202 such units. One of a very few units still displaying actual Southern Pacific colors on the UP main.<br />
<br />
Because I anticipated a train meet, I kept my camera rolling on the downhill train. Yes, admittedly, perhaps a bit too long.<br />
<br />
That said, UP 6448 East emerged around the same corner and screamed past me in Run 8, as a GE C44AC, one of 120 such units with 4,390 hp manufactured in 2000.<br />
<br />
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UP 6448 East on the nose.</div>
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EMD SD70ACe.</div>
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<img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60aFKHTVlxy2UR8AfZqj07HWNTh-11eWnBCQdB_yph4YXIaa5uYxI9aBCJ8ZBelMg1cu0lRx3WgCN4O3lYKng_WVzFOPVNisWGTuUMWSb78Jpq8QP5yzdKpZK7c36J8Tjokc2E1HL3t5M/s320/UP+6448+East+4.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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EMD units 620 (UP GP38-2, 2000 hp) and 1567 (UP SD40-2N, 3000 hp). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJRKoZpBGmYTwOlg5N0qFGl-0Qd95bbfaLmXDOYuaB206PDkp2Y1R7ezecC9LO6kZxfN7SImygIRfVmF7TMMS9GqlxpT-BsIhKkl4isqcKzvpHIaV9KMeQX2XpKZJVAoPmtbExRVLRwiv/s1600/UP+6448+East+5,+Riders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJRKoZpBGmYTwOlg5N0qFGl-0Qd95bbfaLmXDOYuaB206PDkp2Y1R7ezecC9LO6kZxfN7SImygIRfVmF7TMMS9GqlxpT-BsIhKkl4isqcKzvpHIaV9KMeQX2XpKZJVAoPmtbExRVLRwiv/s320/UP+6448+East+5,+Riders.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Look closely at the rear of this grain car. Riders.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-eMdTzLEs2zQu0uaPRBuQvfMTUtcTyVI3pmo6VdJrDQJwwUQDH2_DKFRRYIM-40BXDGjHqNkjA8PCtpZXgNV8SBpSkLK4c3XJz1PUa1er4T8139R78xhFPZvFVzbXsObtGQdlm8ajrpC/s1600/UP+6448+East+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-eMdTzLEs2zQu0uaPRBuQvfMTUtcTyVI3pmo6VdJrDQJwwUQDH2_DKFRRYIM-40BXDGjHqNkjA8PCtpZXgNV8SBpSkLK4c3XJz1PUa1er4T8139R78xhFPZvFVzbXsObtGQdlm8ajrpC/s320/UP+6448+East+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZgUdfYDJx18ptA50p9xQe2vo_5-GDfyJVXxjjbTgK8bfozaG1jq_yHR4KDBArZ-NHXxkYBZHDtg4eooqrHIB4w0luZS1yV8MOIJBKce0hXY4wC4l1puxy5DFAcDM2rFBwp0ymG-b2StI/s1600/UP+6448+East+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZgUdfYDJx18ptA50p9xQe2vo_5-GDfyJVXxjjbTgK8bfozaG1jq_yHR4KDBArZ-NHXxkYBZHDtg4eooqrHIB4w0luZS1yV8MOIJBKce0hXY4wC4l1puxy5DFAcDM2rFBwp0ymG-b2StI/s320/UP+6448+East+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZEBclv24Rs">Go here for the video on YouTube</a></span> and, as per normal, click on the link, enlarge, and play with headphones for the best experience.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-3008562323245838242013-05-14T19:55:00.001-07:002013-05-14T20:10:02.487-07:00MP154: UP 6471 West, a short train with eight engines <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t72vfdLNZTzqw3vHRetPh24y0mFI3P_2x8Xly0NLJdvu_2TPFjV7egr9Ui6ZE2ra2Bow0WlcBqnkPyuCCxOWa1fXDjrOdHlw77FFhRoQfF8-5tuF69hDy2eo925GiUDIvJur3aWGUwR1/s1600/6471+West,+1-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t72vfdLNZTzqw3vHRetPh24y0mFI3P_2x8Xly0NLJdvu_2TPFjV7egr9Ui6ZE2ra2Bow0WlcBqnkPyuCCxOWa1fXDjrOdHlw77FFhRoQfF8-5tuF69hDy2eo925GiUDIvJur3aWGUwR1/s320/6471+West,+1-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Except that, of course, when you actually <i>examine</i> the video, people will only count <i>seven</i> engines.<br />
<br />
That is to say: up <i>front</i>. There is a DPU at the rear of this mixed manifest train -- which also hosts an intriguing set of new UP coil steel cars <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssYnLQhnRBU">YouTube video here</a></span>. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ssYnLQhnRBU" width="480"></iframe>
Above, UP 6471 West (a GE C44AC with 4390 hp manufactured for UP in 2000, one of 120 such units) leads six other GE locomotives:<br />
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<span style="color: red;">UP 7452 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2009</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">UP 5280 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2006</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">UP 5291 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2006</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">UP 5290 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2006</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">UP 5274 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2006</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">UP 5261 -- GE C45ACCTE, 4400 hp, 2006</span></div>
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UP 6559 brings up the rear as a Distributed Power Unit (DPU), a GE C44AC, one of <i>only <b>four</b></i><b> </b>manufactured for Union Pacific in 1997, with 4390 hp.<br />
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As always, I recommend you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssYnLQhnRBU"><span style="color: cyan;">click here</span> for the YouTube link</a> and expand fully whilst listening to the sound on headphones. The only true way to experience my train videos.<br />
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Note: you can also hear the westbound detector at 154.4 activate via my radio scanner, which I held up to the videocam.<br />
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Some screen captures from the video itself:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto0zU8PAnzRBgShdUVxRil4Hyu2_qB_lyGhomnlT5a3H6KE05A1vkDsWe8A1N5HZFNfgfQQntozpyQlNVpgmK5a5uptzHd1elrkDIYXUUpwc-sWNKpyYxs-TXUJSN3Mh05NTb3_CmEe6I/s1600/6471+West,+2-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjto0zU8PAnzRBgShdUVxRil4Hyu2_qB_lyGhomnlT5a3H6KE05A1vkDsWe8A1N5HZFNfgfQQntozpyQlNVpgmK5a5uptzHd1elrkDIYXUUpwc-sWNKpyYxs-TXUJSN3Mh05NTb3_CmEe6I/s320/6471+West,+2-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWflcTQQVDwDpd8FjbdCFXBMWbsNDDJIwzdGBWmzKr_W5sj0TOPDeYN0kxfO319NwvAwZhsaWk677Fzriq59aGBnhQoV-xpA3l-cMIL9vpWdbY9dNtNvQmCmHMULfrhdCA3eCVqsbEa89/s1600/6471+West,+4-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWflcTQQVDwDpd8FjbdCFXBMWbsNDDJIwzdGBWmzKr_W5sj0TOPDeYN0kxfO319NwvAwZhsaWk677Fzriq59aGBnhQoV-xpA3l-cMIL9vpWdbY9dNtNvQmCmHMULfrhdCA3eCVqsbEa89/s320/6471+West,+4-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVFzVqoaECIEGYSF4Ilu48z_tXqxNye4udLCY8F_zWAvGjBVtDfJQM2CCLgJqZyjiIRQNG9isClqYLp4rXHEUBxR1FQK2IZvatTkjyWFO0LulaFeAZqvFoxYJf6Ofsc-ExtQ66CvqJ4Hb/s1600/6471+West,+5-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVFzVqoaECIEGYSF4Ilu48z_tXqxNye4udLCY8F_zWAvGjBVtDfJQM2CCLgJqZyjiIRQNG9isClqYLp4rXHEUBxR1FQK2IZvatTkjyWFO0LulaFeAZqvFoxYJf6Ofsc-ExtQ66CvqJ4Hb/s320/6471+West,+5-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Timing is pretty much everything, and I capture what I can when I can. In this video, however, I managed to exhibit a train during one of the so-called Golden Hours of Photography -- the hour involving sunrise and the hour involving sunset. Here, it is sunset. Pure luck, but it does make for striking and radiant colors.<br />
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And what were the last six cars? Correct. They were the UP version of coil steel cars, now covered. <br />
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In the meantime, be safe around the tracks and keep your family close and secure in these tenuous -- and soon to be tumultuous -- times.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-88189567134718456012013-04-29T17:17:00.000-07:002013-05-01T14:24:39.714-07:00Stalled BNSF train in Gold Run<br />
And not just<i> any</i> BNSF train; a BNSF train with the very newest GE power: two ES44C4s up front.<br />
<br />
The story goes something like this:<br />
<br />
I was coming back up to my cabin from having worked my week in Sacramento. I customarily cruise by Colfax, Gold Run and Alta to see what, if anything, is occurring on the tracks. I happened to catch a stalled BNSF train on the Gold Run siding, a mixed manifest. As I got closer, I noticed the nearby block signal went green, which meant an eastbound train was approaching from the west. I scurried back to the SUV and acquired my Flip HD camera (though actually my stupid Samsung Galaxy Note II frigging telephone takes better video), just in time to capture the below event <b>(</b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfSvcMA4Imc"><span style="color: cyan;">see it here on YouTube</span></a>. Please expand and listen with headphones for the best experience<b>)</b>: <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="214" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NfSvcMA4Imc" width="380"></iframe>
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<br />
On point is UP 7647, a GE C45ACCTE, one of 325 such 4400-hp locomotives manufactured between 2007 and 2008 and, if you look closely in the expanded video, you can see the friendly conductor waving to me as the train approaches and passes. In second position is UP 6214, a C44AC with 4390 hp, one of 167 such engines manufactured in 1995. Third place heralds UP 6600, a C44AC with 4390 hp, only <b>one</b> of which was built for UP in 1997.<br />
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There are two DPUs mid-train, UP 5262 and UP 5277, both manufactured between 2005 and 2006, both C45ACCTEs with 4400 horsepower, of 301 such units built.<br />
<br />
After the UP train had passed, I was waved up by the engineer, who invited me into the cab. This was about to be a unique experience as I'd never been in the cab of any BNSF locomotive, much less a new <a href="http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/ge-unveils-es44c4-locomotive.html"><span style="color: cyan;">GE ES44C4</span></a>. I knew UP locomotive cabs were absolutely filthy; I was therefore curious about BNSF cabs.<br />
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The first two BNSF units are 6508 and 6563, two of 92 such ES44C4 locomotives manufactured by GE in 2013, both with 4400 horsepower. The third unit is BNSF 7680, an aging and fading GE ES44DC WarPumpkin with 4400 hp, one of 194 such units built in 2005.<br />
<br />
Armed with my monster Flip HD and my phone, I placed my right foot on the bottom step, wrapped my hands around the white rails, simultaneously pushing with my foot and pulling with my hands. I felt an immediate, white-hot and excruciating pain in my right foot and almost fell backwards off the ballast and down about a fifteen foot drop.<br />
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It took me roughly a half hour to hobble my way over the three tracks and back to my Tahoe, only about a hundred yards away on a side road. The engineer thought I was kidding when I told him I believed I'd broken my foot trying to climb up. Until he saw the look on my face. I made my way, the next day, down to Auburn for a visit to a local doc-in-the-box who confirmed: yes. Foot broken. Hairline fracture adjacent the tuberosity of the 5th metatarsal. Stay off foot for at least two weeks. We don't have crutches. You can buy them next door. Stay off foot. No boot. Buy ibuprofen.<br />
<br />
So how did BNSF 6508 move ahead? It called for <i>ancient</i> power. As you can see above in the video (again, <i>after</i> I'd fractured my foot, I still stayed to record this helper set), BNSF units 147 and 139 responded -- both being elder EMD GP60M B-truck units, two of 59 such 3600 hp units manufactured for Santa Fe in 1990. It was like watching a '59 Corvette respond to a 2013 Vette. <br />
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Before I fractured my foot, however, I was able to take the below photographs with my Note II:<br />
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A photo taken just before I attempted to climb up into the cab.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(Right click on each photograph to enlarge.)</div>
<br />
A little bit about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Evolution_Series"><span style="color: cyan;">General Electric ES44C4</span></a>:<br />
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This is a new model whose purpose is to try to make an AC unit as affordable as a DC unit, with roughly equal traction. BNSF is, to date, the only major railroad to have purchased the C4. <a href="http://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20ES44C4.HTML"><span style="color: cyan;">ES44C4 data sheet is here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.getransportation.com/resources/doc_download/298-evolution-series-brochure.html"><span style="color: cyan;">GE indicates</span></a> that, in general, the ES44 locomotives are "powered by GE’s 12-cylinder diesel engine, with the Evolution Series producing the same 4,400 HP as its 16-cylinder predecessor — using less fuel. This 45-degree, 12-cylinder, 4-stroke, turbocharged engine provides efficiency, lower emissions and extended overhaul intervals. The engine also uses enhanced cooling and higher-strength materials that dramatically improve reliability and allow for future increases in power and efficiency."<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>4-cycle Model GEVO 12</i></div>
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GE also writes: "In North America, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway is using Evolution Series ES44C4 Locomotives as a cleaner, faster, safer and more reliable alternative to DC-powered locomotives. The advanced technology of Model ES44C4 reduces fuel use by 17% and emissions by 70% compared to existing DC locomotives."<br />
<br />
The model indicates C4 because one axle -- the #2 -- is <i>unpowered</i> in each truck. The ES44C4 has a variable traction control system onboard, whose software adjusts the pressure in the air cylinders and linkages on the truck side frames (see photos above) in order to vary the weight on the four actual drive axles and yield adequate traction under various grades and traction conditions -- where wheel slip may occur. It is said that each center axle lifts for speeds below 15 mph so as to improve adhesion and get optimal tractive effort from the four AC traction motors.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
GE mid-axle lifting linkage on ES44C4, close up. Note on truck photos above.</div>
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One quote from a <a href="http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&p=716879"><span style="color: cyan;">railroad forum</span></a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
"My dad caught 3 of those here awhile back on a grain load, I've never
heard him bitch so much about a motor. Apparently they're slippery and
like all GE's, don't load worth a *. These were supposed to be a better
alternative to the ES44DC's, but what I'm hearing is most would prefer a
6 axle DC over these C4's."</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
What people may not realize, regarding AC locomotive power in general, is this: if one traction motor goes offline, more power can be applied to the other motors. DC traction motors can't handle the transferred load and aren't designed to do so.<br />
<br />
This is, at least, the "argument" for producing double-truck, six-axle locomotive power with only four axles possessing traction motors. <br />
<br />
EMD also began production of their own version of a C4 unit, called the <a href="http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?306325-BNSF-Railway-plans-to-order-10-SD70ACe-P4-diesels"><span style="color: cyan;">SD70ACe-P4</span></a>. As best I can determine, this locomotive (see photo of EMD Demonstrator #4223 by Karl Rethwisch below) likewise has two unpowered axles. However, instead of the mid axles being unpowered, the axles closest to the fuel tank are unpowered. Also, no axles will be physically lifted, as with the C4.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv11nx-ATH7FyB_FKeWAth5PF5d4UetJPCo0L8KAVbLprVBx7JvgZT6d9rN8qby3QBmqZrouTpESBLv4lX_qxGrGKH38RGgVVF98W9OGt6jQzCyTGqR87k6-vsTLxAfj4OM1EiPnyrxgWY/s1600/EMD+4223+SD70ACe+P4+-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv11nx-ATH7FyB_FKeWAth5PF5d4UetJPCo0L8KAVbLprVBx7JvgZT6d9rN8qby3QBmqZrouTpESBLv4lX_qxGrGKH38RGgVVF98W9OGt6jQzCyTGqR87k6-vsTLxAfj4OM1EiPnyrxgWY/s320/EMD+4223+SD70ACe+P4+-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My question: did this BNSF train stall because the two locomotives on point failed to produce sufficient traction due to the design of the ES44C4s utilized? I simply do not know. I can't help but wonder, however.<br />
<br />
In closing, one very interesting business point, from <a href="http://bizjournals.com/"><span style="color: cyan;">BizJournals.com</span></a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1>
GE locomotive plant plans to cut 950 jobs in Erie</h1>
GE Transportation is dealing a huge blow to the Erie economy, <a href="http://goerie.com/negotiations-could-affect-size-of-ge-transportation-layoff-in-erie">moving nearly 1,000 jobs to Texas</a> with its AC locomotives and mining vehicle lines.<br />
<br />
For GE Transportation, it apparently comes down to economics. The market
for locomotives isn't as strong as it has been and the two new plants,
in Fort Worth, Texas, is more productive. Plus, the Erie Times-News said
the Fort Worth plant, unlike the one in Erie, is nonunion. The Erie
employees earn about twice as much on average as the Fort Worth
employees and the workers at a competing <a class="ct saveLink" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/us/il/peoria/caterpillar_inc/1324697">Caterpillar Inc.</a> plant.</blockquote>
<br />
Here's the unspoken fact as well: Texas provides tax incentives and reduced regulations that Pennsylvania doesn't. Or, on the other hand, is it simply the result of the <a href="http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com/articles/271617"><span style="color: cyan;">purposeful decline of coal</span></a> via onerous restrictions by the Obama Administration?<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading, please weigh in, and be safe near the tracks.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-41323765861023835492013-03-24T19:30:00.000-07:002013-03-24T19:36:22.529-07:00Megastructures Break Down: Train OverhaulExcept that it's not a train, it's a locomotive. An entire episode from the <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ACjJnrn1lc">National Geographic Channel on YouTube</a></span>:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_ACjJnrn1lc" width="560"></iframe>
Above, at the <a href="http://www.nationalrailway.com/">National Railway Equipment Company</a>, headquartered in Mt Vernon, Illinois, an elder EMD GP-9 (I suspect former BNSF, though not entirely certain) is broken apart and re-created into a more efficient and modern engine.<br />
<br />
50 minutes in length, but worth every minute. Fascinating.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-86184597995464074402013-03-12T21:27:00.001-07:002013-03-12T21:27:59.611-07:00It's enough to break your heart:Sometimes, whilst traversing that great world-wide web, one comes across things that, depending upon your personal inclinations and interests, sometimes just make you wince in terrible pain.<br />
<br />
<i>This</i> would be one of those videos <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvyIrsZ7Zhs&NR=1&feature=fvwp">I recently encountered on YouTube</a>:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OvyIrsZ7Zhs" width="560"></iframe>
As you can see, the delivery of a brand new foreign-designed EMD-based locomotive is made from a ship to the dock itself via crane. With one teensy-weensy problem.<br />
<br />
As best I can tell, the locomotive depicted is an <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downer_EDI_Rail_GT46C_ACe">EDI Rail GT46C-ACe</a></span> built in Australia.<br />
<br />
This locomotive was constructed between 2007 and 2012 at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_Locomotive_Workshops">Cardiff Locomotive Workshops</a> in New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. They were AC-driven units rated at 4,490 hp. The prime mover was EMD's 16-cylinder 710 turbocharged engine.<br />
<br />
Unclear as to the specific port of delivery, but one can see that the sling closest to the videographer is first to fail. The back is clearly broken on this locomotive.<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, that was a <i>very</i> expensive drop.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-42826541294709297232013-03-04T00:40:00.001-08:002013-03-04T00:40:39.502-08:00Casa Loma Road: I nail another train meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6Kw3RpibkS-prZidkaeNB34l5PfUtnQtvzzd3LjATwwlEZ7WjWJtMTvviJb3cz0Dal_NG0wAT3_B76QX1xeOy94FJmHkYtFz_Lx3Cw5piLXgAWx7_IRCxwcjjYLCSACSX_BEIUKONgc6/s1600/UP+7913+1-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6Kw3RpibkS-prZidkaeNB34l5PfUtnQtvzzd3LjATwwlEZ7WjWJtMTvviJb3cz0Dal_NG0wAT3_B76QX1xeOy94FJmHkYtFz_Lx3Cw5piLXgAWx7_IRCxwcjjYLCSACSX_BEIUKONgc6/s320/UP+7913+1-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And right in front of me, no less.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyNNqdj5axvN6dGMRd08G94WgrbnHLc6zNFk5bONcF7nEVxiey1VxI4lSRJPy_0ZuIcEZt9ItHw6CoHw098kZ9rI626mG3H9WsxZnTInNhwUjdDLIKQuRuP2Tj5oerL8Z2WDcRmq-AkP5/s1600/UP+7913+2-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyNNqdj5axvN6dGMRd08G94WgrbnHLc6zNFk5bONcF7nEVxiey1VxI4lSRJPy_0ZuIcEZt9ItHw6CoHw098kZ9rI626mG3H9WsxZnTInNhwUjdDLIKQuRuP2Tj5oerL8Z2WDcRmq-AkP5/s320/UP+7913+2-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Certainly, there are times when you may catch, during your railfanning experience, a train meet in the middle or at the end.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZLfD6A36vI_kpzdFIXiaPOEbVX2nhkkqigJ4dJ0kW0hGnpe80YMJhD3Gr6Y1ui_yUqKGL9cfbLVA1h4XlQZmz8xm8apiDXMTaqlONyroE2FZztSLPucrEMUsaYxXM1-gS5xMUx04hbQm/s1600/UP+7913+3-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZLfD6A36vI_kpzdFIXiaPOEbVX2nhkkqigJ4dJ0kW0hGnpe80YMJhD3Gr6Y1ui_yUqKGL9cfbLVA1h4XlQZmz8xm8apiDXMTaqlONyroE2FZztSLPucrEMUsaYxXM1-gS5xMUx04hbQm/s320/UP+7913+3-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But I have had some astounding luck in catching train meets on point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq5lnoiRo-BCI-qciRft4F39QD5sPUtfpy2FjlbfQgfXqvEjtPOzZqvKC1yuC28XTIISvDct9rVxVWcETvtOtH3oodBp_YPB-irhWbKHmWcm-yEY9DBQO5D-fq_43HDo2jS3dEa4QDRpN/s1600/UP+7913+4-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq5lnoiRo-BCI-qciRft4F39QD5sPUtfpy2FjlbfQgfXqvEjtPOzZqvKC1yuC28XTIISvDct9rVxVWcETvtOtH3oodBp_YPB-irhWbKHmWcm-yEY9DBQO5D-fq_43HDo2jS3dEa4QDRpN/s320/UP+7913+4-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is another such encounter:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fl_f3R2durM" width="560"></iframe>
The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl_f3R2durM">YouTube link is here</a>. As per normal, I always suggest you go directly to the link and expand the video, wearing headphones, for the greatest Flip HD experience available. <br />
<br />
I emphasize that most of these train meets are by the dint of greatest chance; that said, I seem to somehow acquire more than my fair share of them -- though I am not by any means complaining!<br />
<br />
Usually, I've been chasing one specific train only to have another either round a curve or appear unexpectedly from a tunnel or from a direction I'd not anticipated.<br />
<br />
First, some details and then a closing comment.<br />
<br />
From the right (down-hill) on the #1 track comes UP 7913 West, a GE C45ACCTE in Union Pacific parlance; otherwise known as a <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Evolution_Series#ES44AC">GE ES44AC</a></span>. Behind are UP 7490 and UP 8008, plus four other units with unrecorded numbers (for obvious reasons). This was a pristine, bright and new GE locomotive consist only, with no other train cars. I suspect this was a move, to the Roseville Yard, of additional new UP power. All of these locomotives have 4,400 hp.<br />
<br />
From the left (up-hill) on the #2 track comes UP 5275 East, with an older GE C45ACCTE on point, followed by UP 7384, UP 7446, and then mid-train helpers of UP 5255, UP 5052 (an EMD SD70M) and UP 7706.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYC7f15EvV3tLrmGEhPlShEmjGQnHA7koHUfSHpqTCcJhvBtFb_fqMbWSsLuBQn3oCXtt2VMU9O1mOKS6s3RetQJZxfdXDsHc769jldhtOzOVcaEcEA3pb477wcJQxQ38rz2qarq7AjW/s1600/UP+7913+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYC7f15EvV3tLrmGEhPlShEmjGQnHA7koHUfSHpqTCcJhvBtFb_fqMbWSsLuBQn3oCXtt2VMU9O1mOKS6s3RetQJZxfdXDsHc769jldhtOzOVcaEcEA3pb477wcJQxQ38rz2qarq7AjW/s320/UP+7913+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Shortly following are three cars belonging to the <a href="http://www.modocrailroadacademy.com/">Modoc Railroad Academy</a>. First is AARX 784, a red Modoc caboose. Second is tank car MP 14592. Third in line is Modoc maintenance of way car AARX 782. These cars were in the process of being moved, as the Modoc Railroad Academy left California. The <a href="http://www.modocrailroadacademy.com/faq.htm">website indicates</a>:<br />
<br />
<i>Q: Is it true Modoc Railroad Academy has relocated?</i><br />
<i>A: The school has moved to Marion, Illinois effective 2-1-2013. </i><br />
<br />
The closing comment: <br />
I've been "chasing trains" since 1997, at the tail end of the Southern Pacific regime (at this point already having been outright purchased by the Union Pacific). That means I have 16 years of train chasing "experience" on UP's Roseville Subdivision, from the Roseville Yard itself, over the Sierra Nevada mountains, right into Sparks, Nevada.<br />
<br />
In that amount of time I have, literally, walked most every mile of that route from Roseville to Sparks. Most of this is documented on 35mm print film, as well as some slide film; in <i>-color</i> and <i>-chrome</i>. I have some miniDV video shot from a Sony DVX2000 that is highly valuable for its historic content. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk9wok8bLeVQtQIUmRjWughwSoYw6fwMVr1ypgVVkOozY1_kBHjQvu-PXVUT2pCMKJB36QS2R0pf0v1xWo0gnKyPaiVUvbanthNOp6tFtqm9BX7BJCXxbULxSq3T9-t_8PqzE0iVvQrb6/s1600/Sony+DVX+2000+Prosumer+Cam%252C+miniDV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk9wok8bLeVQtQIUmRjWughwSoYw6fwMVr1ypgVVkOozY1_kBHjQvu-PXVUT2pCMKJB36QS2R0pf0v1xWo0gnKyPaiVUvbanthNOp6tFtqm9BX7BJCXxbULxSq3T9-t_8PqzE0iVvQrb6/s320/Sony+DVX+2000+Prosumer+Cam%252C+miniDV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some day I hope to take that content and create a series of videos appealing to rail and train enthusiasts interested in a bit of recent history involving both the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. My goal is to eventually offer this product on DVD. <br />
<br />
My blocking point is an appropriate video editing software suite and the time to utilize it, since I still work after 42 years in the field.<br />
<br />
I have considered Adobe Premiere, Avid (which I began to learn in the early 2000s and produced one VHS video), Sony Vegas and Apple's Final Cut Pro -- though I find Apple's OS more difficult to navigate. It's not as "intuitive" as many people tell you, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I'll simply have to rely on my about-to-become-moribund Flip HD, as well as the video capability of my Samsung Galaxy Note II. I am considering the purchase of Nikon's new d7100 which has a nice video feature. That, of course, would thusly demand that I have a said decent editing software suite. Learning curve, learning curve.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, thank you kindly for visiting, I solicit your comments, and be safe and well. Challenging times, they are a-coming.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
As before, click on each photo in order to enlarge. The photos above are stills from the video. You may copy and use these photographs for desktops or in other formats, as long as credit to me is provided. I consider this a very generous policy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-31012284393650219652013-01-26T17:31:00.000-08:002013-01-27T13:19:49.951-08:00UP 5488 West, a pig under rainy Winter skies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvc-YfQn6UX5lhXDvi5L7xbe-pl16MV6u_vmFBC3iS8eqL6g5iM4t8a7AY7H9MlaT4UuEQMqOZKvSxfQzky8YfN-dR1023R4H1tiYgk8upaUsCfw4LtDy7l8aDaKVqqNNCK9YowXhPXln/s1600/MP154+Top+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvc-YfQn6UX5lhXDvi5L7xbe-pl16MV6u_vmFBC3iS8eqL6g5iM4t8a7AY7H9MlaT4UuEQMqOZKvSxfQzky8YfN-dR1023R4H1tiYgk8upaUsCfw4LtDy7l8aDaKVqqNNCK9YowXhPXln/s320/MP154+Top+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red;"><b>[</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Note</span></span>:</b><i> before we begin, I must greatly apologize for the change in my comments section. You may notice that I have activated Blogger's Word Verification -- a ploy I most desperately despise -- because I despise the nature of Blogger's WV itself. This has occurred because, during the latter months of 2012, I was bombarded by -- literally -- <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>hundreds</b></span> of spam comments throughout the depth and breadth of </i><span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><i>. I operate and control four blogs and this one is, for me, the most fun to run. Resultingly, I tried to keep it the most "pristine" and unsullied by reality, if you will. Reality, unfortunately, has now come crashing into </i><span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><i>, and I have been forced into taking measures that are anathema to me. I hope, frankly, that you will still continue to comment should you wish. </i>--<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span>.<span style="color: red;"><b>]</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>_________________________________</b></span></div>
<br />
High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the 4,000-foot level, less than a half mile from the original <a href="http://www.cprr.org/">Central Pacific Railroad</a> transcontinental tracks, I live in a two-story cabin that is now ensconced in the throes of Winter, despite all of the trials and tribulations this incurs.<br />
<br />
There have been a few minor snowfalls, and a week of sub-zero temperatures which resulted in frozen pipes underneath the house and a nasty break. Since then, the snow has been occasional, but the rains fairly consistent. This video, recorded from a cell phone of all silly things, documents a Union Pacific manifest train rolling downhill towards milepost 152. <span style="color: red;">Please click on each photograph to enlarge. <span style="color: cyan;"><i>These photographs are enlargements from stills of the video.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__lXZlt5iBLIO2Gt5vwbcmYiI9M69fsWYTZi8zkSzHHrRpHoF5EsGtlfg_Gsdb-JTyzcA-PSCMH-AjJVdcNlRm702-vucoXMEyMRdXp2-YD5ohaQhQvbU-YbXPvxz34deePDJ0h59_j-5/s1600/5488+West+1-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__lXZlt5iBLIO2Gt5vwbcmYiI9M69fsWYTZi8zkSzHHrRpHoF5EsGtlfg_Gsdb-JTyzcA-PSCMH-AjJVdcNlRm702-vucoXMEyMRdXp2-YD5ohaQhQvbU-YbXPvxz34deePDJ0h59_j-5/s320/5488+West+1-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On point is UP 5488, a General Electric ES44AC, one of 141 such locomotives manufactured between 2005 and 2006 with 4,400 hp -- and labeled a C45ACCTE (the CTE for "Controlled Tractive Effort") by the Union Pacific.<br />
<br />
Here, the video:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lsGrosylhvk" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsGrosylhvk">YouTube link is here</a> (3:27). And, as with the previous post, this video was captured by a device that I'd never thought would result in anything approaching the quality delivered -- a Samsung Galaxy Note II cellular telephone. As per normal, please click on the YouTube link for full expansion and listen with headphones.<br />
<br />
As for the rest of the pig, the second locomotive was UP 7028, an elder GE C44 AC manufactured between 1995 and 1996 with 4,390 hp. Third in line was UP 5271, a GE C45ACCTE with 4,400 hp and UP 5281 followed in fourth place, another such unit, one of 301 manufactured. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI12Zp_h8nIhcFGIbQQidfqabJu87LaGQSMxNBl7NRtw78HIqz0HHsz9g0gDhRMx5-j4AyOj-rvchLzo0kLkVtNsxQCimJbJGfKqvZBow9-h9O9GalV3dV6NcCaUAAo4919V10Xxkqwce/s1600/5488+West+2-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI12Zp_h8nIhcFGIbQQidfqabJu87LaGQSMxNBl7NRtw78HIqz0HHsz9g0gDhRMx5-j4AyOj-rvchLzo0kLkVtNsxQCimJbJGfKqvZBow9-h9O9GalV3dV6NcCaUAAo4919V10Xxkqwce/s320/5488+West+2-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The DPU (Distributed Power Unit) was UP 7448, another GE C45ACCTE, manufactured in 2009, also with 4,400 hp. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8-p4TrWNT15T-Efh5JytIFnKT_qbl2nbfIvVqlnmABTzBMreZxkWozoQQRTOKPTYJdhYRrHLeBuDKXWpLIo36hDUZ5Az0PAls-odVSQmqb40accM1oIglcRDFpU1SynygFCNEiir6wrj/s1600/5488+West+5-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8-p4TrWNT15T-Efh5JytIFnKT_qbl2nbfIvVqlnmABTzBMreZxkWozoQQRTOKPTYJdhYRrHLeBuDKXWpLIo36hDUZ5Az0PAls-odVSQmqb40accM1oIglcRDFpU1SynygFCNEiir6wrj/s320/5488+West+5-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Even now, as I write this in my second floor loft office (with window cracked open), I can hear another UP train approaching -- approaching the detector at milepost 154.4.<br />
<br />
Hence the name of the blog.<br />
<br />
Take care, be safe, guard your family and your assets in 2013.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
<br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-59393382858705971432012-12-19T19:41:00.002-08:002012-12-21T12:16:16.933-08:00Stack train documented by unusual video:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMr9OEK5zwAGyG0Ph5YXLuw6YAqFLMjrqQ1oVukXtbTDkZgQfdR4AJPdB3QET4T1tI9cyImoCgWNDCxvHm-Oj0u98U4d2lUz2dr1_y7-NqmtTqRrFVJ-suRVVf7_wyu8wLyVRFaU_0CXoL/s1600/DblStak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMr9OEK5zwAGyG0Ph5YXLuw6YAqFLMjrqQ1oVukXtbTDkZgQfdR4AJPdB3QET4T1tI9cyImoCgWNDCxvHm-Oj0u98U4d2lUz2dr1_y7-NqmtTqRrFVJ-suRVVf7_wyu8wLyVRFaU_0CXoL/s320/DblStak1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm certainly nothing of a techno-geek, by any stretch of the imagination.<br />
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That said, I am sufficiently facile as to update various forms of technology in a basic way.<br />
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And that would be: I traded in my iPhone 3GS for a new Samsung Galaxy Note II.<br />
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Frankly: I couldn't be happier. The Note II has, thankfully, absolutely exceeded my expectations.<br />
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The first video I ever recorded on the Note II was this below, caught extemporaneously and with little forethought for editing or professionalism -- clearly.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wcrYzFo_u58" width="560"></iframe>
In the video, a downhill (westbound) UP double-stack train comes to a stop for the red signal at MP152 approaching Secret Town -- then, releases its brakes for a few number of cars. I acquired some detail on the trucks of well cars, air lines, air valves, wheels, axles and brakes. Note that the WABCO proportional air valve, manufactured in January of 2011, is built in Mexico.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bgPl3fFt6MZJkElzfsjtYIbR2D6aCrnpG3Jbi3kNRSC4tpg5V2iMvXjMiTFG1A8QCJ56cMZB_jdO50Lh7csMfmyfGkho7dbMwpu6DiNQ3i5EqChB5-_6EDPy2RMZn24J_oldwyLlWkk7/s1600/DblStak3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bgPl3fFt6MZJkElzfsjtYIbR2D6aCrnpG3Jbi3kNRSC4tpg5V2iMvXjMiTFG1A8QCJ56cMZB_jdO50Lh7csMfmyfGkho7dbMwpu6DiNQ3i5EqChB5-_6EDPy2RMZn24J_oldwyLlWkk7/s320/DblStak3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As per normal, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcrYzFo_u58">see the full video here</a> and please wear headphones for the full experience. Listen to the creaking of the brakes as the air solidifies and then releases. Below is the actual brake pad to that wheel in full application.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OiQNYtY0CGCbzkgWVBP59ewB5aSh7vg9vgT5UocQXyAdDkfENIcIAxhNpNbSAFOFHGtrC2Qqy7vhT0bWqe2aLZXqKIlJYTAhTolP0smcqF-ywnL3EqmaSuUEW6f_zEqKOrm7hoIi7afj/s1600/DblStak4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OiQNYtY0CGCbzkgWVBP59ewB5aSh7vg9vgT5UocQXyAdDkfENIcIAxhNpNbSAFOFHGtrC2Qqy7vhT0bWqe2aLZXqKIlJYTAhTolP0smcqF-ywnL3EqmaSuUEW6f_zEqKOrm7hoIi7afj/s320/DblStak4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Overall, I am rather pleased with the video capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Yes, I see that picture went in and out of focus a few times. And yes, I realize that it did its best with contrasting situations which resulted in backlighting issues.<br />
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That said, packing the Samsung Note II everywhere I go assures I likely won't miss some potentially important video or photo opportunities.<br />
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The current photo and video quality of various telephones absolutely amazes me.<br />
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And, bottom line? I am much happier with the Samsung than I was with the iPhone. And no, I'm not paid by Samsung.<br />
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Merry Christmas to all my readers, thank you for visiting, and please return. I am not going away.<br />
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Finally: gird thy loins for 2013. I suspect it won't be pretty.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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P.S.<br />
As per normal, click on each photo for enlargement. Further: every photograph above is a "screen capture" of the original HD video taken by the Note II. That in itself is -- in my opinion -- astounding. Check out the clarity. Or am I simply another daft dupe for technology -- ?<br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-18999060891116695092012-11-26T19:56:00.000-08:002012-11-27T18:49:50.786-08:00UP 7632 East: a Pig through AltaFirst, thank you kindly to everyone who reads this blog on a permanent or occasional basis.<br />
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I couldn't do it without you, your hits, your support, your viewings.<br />
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Wherever you come from, wherever your source, I am thankful for your readership.<br />
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I could only wish one thing: that the blog is hit by professional engineers, conductors, MOW workers and the like. By all the crafts extant.<br />
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Having said that, a new video for your perusal:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ak1rRuQ3nM" width="560"></iframe>
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UP 7632 is a GE C45ACCTE, whilst UP 4001 is an SD70M, and UP 4938 is an SD70M manufactured after 2000.<br />
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As before, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ak1rRuQ3nM">click here to expand the video</a> to its fullest point, and wear headphones for the sound. <br />
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I tried some different things leading up to the central character of the video. I tried to go a bit "artsy" on this one.<br />
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If this direction doesn't work for you, please inform me.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-63841229137365320912012-10-24T15:58:00.004-07:002012-10-24T18:44:36.000-07:00Inside a UP SD70ACeI have always been fascinated with what occurs in the <b>cabs</b> of various locomotives. <br />
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And this has been, roughly, the <i>least</i>-covered topic photographically and structurally in the history of train and locomotive documentation. <br />
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I don't quite understand why; it is something I try to mitigate on my blog when I can.<br />
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With that in mind:<br />
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<a href="http://www.emdiesels.com/emdweb/emd_index.jsp">EMD</a>'s <a href="http://www.emdiesels.com/emdweb/products/sd70ace.jsp">SD70ACe</a> (the "<b>e</b>" stands for "enhanced") began its life in April of 2003; there are now over 1,400 built.<br />
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The SD70ACe is very similar in appearance to the Phase II "true" 6,300-hp <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD90MAC">SD90MAC</a> locomotive, a <a href="http://www.emdiesels.com/emdweb/products/hengine.jsp">dual turbocharged four-stroke diesel</a> (1,010 cubic inches <i>per cylinder</i>):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9xNNHI3cT2O6v5YC5C9eO8jXeOs3-CBeantP3Zzsz7xwwI9bu5grCyrIMgsYOyBfDJ6uilvsZEUR8co-ZmFXHw-q_-yjdKBbmsBp9anxfrtIsKRfeh0dkq860KXjAeXAqVE_0gTMBAUy/s1600/dsc05146-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9xNNHI3cT2O6v5YC5C9eO8jXeOs3-CBeantP3Zzsz7xwwI9bu5grCyrIMgsYOyBfDJ6uilvsZEUR8co-ZmFXHw-q_-yjdKBbmsBp9anxfrtIsKRfeh0dkq860KXjAeXAqVE_0gTMBAUy/s320/dsc05146-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above, I captured an H-engined Phase II SD90MAC #8536 (Note any similarities to the SD70ACe?) in January of 2003 as it passed what train crews know as "Rocky Point." </div>
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This location, also called "American," sits roughly 1,200-feet above the north fork of the American River. </div>
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In fact, Southern Pacific established a formal platform and train stop (near MP 161) at this point in 1916, where passengers could step off and marvel at the depth of the gorge and the view to the west towards Sacramento. This train stop ceased in 1918 because of WWI. </div>
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You can extensively search physically (as have I), but no remnants whatsoever remain of this platform. I can tell you, however, from personal experience, that on a good night anyone can look down the "V" of the cut, to the west, and see the lights of the Sacramento Valley many, many miles below. It's a wonderful view and quite impressive. That said: </div>
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On the SD90MAC above, note the squared-off cab, the rectangular windows (similar to GE locomotives, now), the electrical cabinets and flared radiator housings with extended dynamic-braking tail. You can see how EMD took these traits and incorporated them into their most recent mass-production AC freight locomotive, the SD70ACe. The ACe is 74-feet long, with a two-stroke engine. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_265">H-engined</a> SD90MAC was 80-feet long, in a four-stroke.</div>
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EMD's <a href="http://thedieselshop.us/Data%20EMD%20SD70ACe.HTML">SD70ACe</a> was the builder's answer to Tier 2 emission requirements. <a href="http://www.emdiesels.com/emdweb/emd_index.jsp">EMD</a> believed that a reworked engine -- that was familiar to shop crews worldwide -- would help sell the locomotive due to the foundational and reliable 710G3C-ES 16 cylinder prime mover. This 710 engine, delivering 4,300 horsepower, required only some slight modifications to ensure emission compliance. </div>
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But there's more: EMD ensured that all electrical wires are on the right side of the locomotive and all piping is on the left, with most pipes and wires routed under the frame and potentially serviced by a man standing outside the engine -- as opposed to someone crawling around the bottom of the engine room.</div>
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AC-driven power has become popular with Union Pacific -- though locomotives with AC cost more money -- because these units can be horribly lugged at low speeds with completely-pegged ammeters. AC motors offer higher starting tractive effort. AC motors are also more reliable and simpler than DC motors -- but the cost comes in terms of requiring expensive inverters to generate a variable-frequency AC signal. </div>
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With that, let's explore the cab of UP's 8548, an EMD SD70ACe, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_jHD_ywKLs">first by video</a>:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R_jHD_ywKLs" width="480"></iframe>
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<b>[</b><span style="color: cyan;">Please click on the link above to watch the video in its full size; I've yet to figure out how to re-size a YouTube video into the New Blogger, so information is cut out. Also: play with headphones.</span><b>]</b></div>
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<span style="color: yellow;">With regard to the below photographs, you can click on each one to enlarge and then copy to your desktop. If you reproduce in any fashion, I grant permission as long as I am credited. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9bI21TsHD5kQ_WAauOWq1foyqQ-E89ONptmJpJJFWh4AXS2cwHwNrR6v9ADotVavFurPdOH9Zh9eRASYqLmd-zBfF2X3mHNJFPrgnE3w0oZ1CipDaKflMqJBYsXnV3VwUhyphenhyphenTtqe3kvz/s1600/DSC00561-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF9bI21TsHD5kQ_WAauOWq1foyqQ-E89ONptmJpJJFWh4AXS2cwHwNrR6v9ADotVavFurPdOH9Zh9eRASYqLmd-zBfF2X3mHNJFPrgnE3w0oZ1CipDaKflMqJBYsXnV3VwUhyphenhyphenTtqe3kvz/s320/DSC00561-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Right side of unit. Fuel fill and fuel shutoff on this side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXHdIskUv9TkjgqiE2Zz3R9PXoHbMmmNjH4XF9P9sy_x996PqrDB1DSs9ZBrz1dNpIm9OiPZUjpeN0IHidpFhSoLZ7JyEuHAssXwsrTp932bpdGj2zdGmAUfgi3rcCyHbvCXrE7yTWe9N/s1600/DSC00567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXHdIskUv9TkjgqiE2Zz3R9PXoHbMmmNjH4XF9P9sy_x996PqrDB1DSs9ZBrz1dNpIm9OiPZUjpeN0IHidpFhSoLZ7JyEuHAssXwsrTp932bpdGj2zdGmAUfgi3rcCyHbvCXrE7yTWe9N/s320/DSC00567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flared radiators for assisted cooling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxh4WJj_TrE1erCOcezq47XFBvgf3H-eGvmpK9Jw0odLI3VMjNPOIdFZjCzu619jfiv7phx5ZVtyCeNv_TODGo8nnXep5jgfL31z15kCLqHLMer3nYYSKziXzIYKigjYz0jOucOYb2bcL/s1600/DSC00568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxh4WJj_TrE1erCOcezq47XFBvgf3H-eGvmpK9Jw0odLI3VMjNPOIdFZjCzu619jfiv7phx5ZVtyCeNv_TODGo8nnXep5jgfL31z15kCLqHLMer3nYYSKziXzIYKigjYz0jOucOYb2bcL/s320/DSC00568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rear of unit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF0CO_q0KMwYorvMA7aSXdSBEu6GHytGDyyuCCI0irvYGFOF8KgWwf7124T1Eu5ehsoNKKbjapRt4NMGpQtfGJ7DZfPuIBBChDzxyGTEGTl86-U2A5lEq1F1L_PLC4xI3tWziwwcDL-5q/s1600/DSC00569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF0CO_q0KMwYorvMA7aSXdSBEu6GHytGDyyuCCI0irvYGFOF8KgWwf7124T1Eu5ehsoNKKbjapRt4NMGpQtfGJ7DZfPuIBBChDzxyGTEGTl86-U2A5lEq1F1L_PLC4xI3tWziwwcDL-5q/s320/DSC00569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rear of unit with flash. Note sand fill covers for rear truck sanding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsWsRShGDaX8rSO1B-BiZ1i-mFf0HX_v_cwUtqkV3HBdwVrlbRgd0mdjoUjncQhLOkfwsFeF_McJtXO_uM80dW1aT91j32SxfmOxcEMHo5CUhhaNoWa3p3tqdwtEPRT5KtTSH4Fqwp3Mu/s1600/DSC00570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsWsRShGDaX8rSO1B-BiZ1i-mFf0HX_v_cwUtqkV3HBdwVrlbRgd0mdjoUjncQhLOkfwsFeF_McJtXO_uM80dW1aT91j32SxfmOxcEMHo5CUhhaNoWa3p3tqdwtEPRT5KtTSH4Fqwp3Mu/s320/DSC00570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sand cast solid steel trucks, the <a href="http://www.okthepk.ca/dataCprSiding/articles/200307/trucks.htm">HTCR-4</a> radial variety.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO8c3ZLsNhLIWsBt-vEi8N90JZmkLFG9eiIum6MTRT9OkalWrOQZpEOusKLfStCz0GzuGP9MyyBsZDSS8HZtM7q5n7XEc9PcI0l7oW7gfft4LzT9ota5Tfieg9K8Wo8u5ETc68vHaIWVj/s1600/DSC00571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO8c3ZLsNhLIWsBt-vEi8N90JZmkLFG9eiIum6MTRT9OkalWrOQZpEOusKLfStCz0GzuGP9MyyBsZDSS8HZtM7q5n7XEc9PcI0l7oW7gfft4LzT9ota5Tfieg9K8Wo8u5ETc68vHaIWVj/s320/DSC00571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Note massive shock absorbers. Accordion-like device is traction motor blower.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLan191SUfWfmW1qVGuKZhrfExL88peHxyB66pNAzD9d6cZmBFFNMlEfTF3TIsPTxZJuj_A4hMwueoq4655CdkNpcwXlp-meY_arqd-ZOPfRfWcPXH3HRTbf62nzPC3aiC_CUJsDc7LO5X/s1600/DSC00572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLan191SUfWfmW1qVGuKZhrfExL88peHxyB66pNAzD9d6cZmBFFNMlEfTF3TIsPTxZJuj_A4hMwueoq4655CdkNpcwXlp-meY_arqd-ZOPfRfWcPXH3HRTbf62nzPC3aiC_CUJsDc7LO5X/s320/DSC00572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Close-up of traction motor. Quite unsettling to shoot this, as locomotive was active and idling. Had to stick my head and camera under the loco in a precarious position.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJs1hPSExp-dHLad16PxJnkBpvYCRF_HQdrBZpYBEca8O95WJVmwQP-YVKOFlrri-vJ1gJlkT2MvGCoP4m0KOGtznfxEFRhuOMdP_KzYyG7-WFrlfHz_P3fG-PzpeXt2J6Xag5RSz9I52/s1600/DSC00573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJs1hPSExp-dHLad16PxJnkBpvYCRF_HQdrBZpYBEca8O95WJVmwQP-YVKOFlrri-vJ1gJlkT2MvGCoP4m0KOGtznfxEFRhuOMdP_KzYyG7-WFrlfHz_P3fG-PzpeXt2J6Xag5RSz9I52/s320/DSC00573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very thick cables transferring power from generator to traction motor below. You can also see the brake shoe to the right of the wheel. Each of these traction motors weigh 6,000 pounds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTN_51fOAaZNBSl80AXY383G45Lhz_Xu67RRnS_pUIEG_avgbGBMzzzipvXdt3vJXo9M_Sg_3_x24sMkGi8YHTqx7W0fQC2gSeAIL_ITAbaLdvqCNe-ba12JghqI4LLGu7Rq-LFXs2b7G/s1600/DSC00574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTN_51fOAaZNBSl80AXY383G45Lhz_Xu67RRnS_pUIEG_avgbGBMzzzipvXdt3vJXo9M_Sg_3_x24sMkGi8YHTqx7W0fQC2gSeAIL_ITAbaLdvqCNe-ba12JghqI4LLGu7Rq-LFXs2b7G/s320/DSC00574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flash shot of front of SD70ACe.</div>
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Detail of UP wings and ditch lights.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlNjNjH-gzO5_ZQcqPKk-N4RbbxpOJCdoRfDc16ROB5kPmmG6vDesnrmZpih_67PFHWjM5RDpRkr3e6omEMmLZO86JhjDRiAcPMi1lwaaYAB21yGoRr7F0DcbrOJ8wyfP3XHJlkBEKDqS/s1600/DSC00576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlNjNjH-gzO5_ZQcqPKk-N4RbbxpOJCdoRfDc16ROB5kPmmG6vDesnrmZpih_67PFHWjM5RDpRkr3e6omEMmLZO86JhjDRiAcPMi1lwaaYAB21yGoRr7F0DcbrOJ8wyfP3XHJlkBEKDqS/s320/DSC00576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Detail of pilot, knuckle, connecting cables, air hose and pin bar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u174AKUggWxpv1DrUdJVbQWJaBnSF2VJ3K4yG1kp1FqiYZgEBX6DWHlRfZvebUjX5TazZ6YFzRXEQK2eziSVOigK_x8IBxrYVJp0A49b7rSdDx8b4yDpYQ8qauZPQ2fMJFsJhzgt9Qop/s1600/DSC00577-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u174AKUggWxpv1DrUdJVbQWJaBnSF2VJ3K4yG1kp1FqiYZgEBX6DWHlRfZvebUjX5TazZ6YFzRXEQK2eziSVOigK_x8IBxrYVJp0A49b7rSdDx8b4yDpYQ8qauZPQ2fMJFsJhzgt9Qop/s320/DSC00577-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must say, I very much enjoy seeing the revitalized UP wing logo.</div>
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Number panel, window shield and sliding window on conductor's side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn8i18od5orxJnl5zEVquKpQc8Iccv8GDYP7h7Qaub7GuDi1yhxEANPFP_AEm-2XUq5QcQoIanGl3TZcV2tsWmKG9YI4GjddM-7YA2Gi_ASPVC-mQae6lojZFZ0F9Tso9p_0OePFdeFTe/s1600/DSC00579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn8i18od5orxJnl5zEVquKpQc8Iccv8GDYP7h7Qaub7GuDi1yhxEANPFP_AEm-2XUq5QcQoIanGl3TZcV2tsWmKG9YI4GjddM-7YA2Gi_ASPVC-mQae6lojZFZ0F9Tso9p_0OePFdeFTe/s320/DSC00579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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UP's model tape.</div>
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Piping down the left side of the locomotive. More accessible for maintenance.</div>
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Left side of engine.</div>
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Left side of engine with flash. Note the huge electrical inverter room behind the cab.</div>
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Locomotive manufacturers are moving from the "desktop" paradigm to the original AAR "control stand" type.</div>
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Control cluster. To be examined in detail.</div>
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Overall view of Conductor's side of cab.</div>
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Conductor's chair, along with the "third" seat in the cab.</div>
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Engineer's position, on the right side of the cab. Note the holder for the throttle handle, as well as small desk area for paperwork.</div>
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Detail of (top to bottom) dynamic brake, throttle, and reverser.</div>
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FAR radio head above, WABTEC braking module below. Train brakes above with red handle; unit (independent) brakes below. Application to the right; release to the left.</div>
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Left computer screen, displaying mph, brake pipe pressure, status of units.</div>
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Panel commanding headlights and interior HVAC conditions.</div>
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Detail of dynamic brake and throttle. Read the "controller operation."</div>
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Detail of sanding operation. Check out the welding quality on the vertical left.</div>
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Detail of the reverser position.</div>
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Detail of the throttle controller on the left-situated FRA stand. Note the large hex-head bolts attaching various controls to the stand itself. This makes for more easier removal and access.</div>
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Horn and Alerter reset button. Again, note the rather coarse welding to the right of the radio head. You can see that this control stand is created from scratch. Also, this control stand is <i>taller</i> than those in a new GE locomotive, such as the C45ACCTE. It tends to more greatly occlude the view from the engineer to the conductor.</div>
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Conductor's side of EMD cab.</div>
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Conductor's seat, top, and third seat in the middle of the cab. Very heavy duty brown vinyl. And quite comfortable with many adjustments, I might add.</div>
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View out the engineer's side.</div>
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Engineer's view with some -- ahem -- toilet packets.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Conductor's view with same.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
View to the rear of EMD SD70ACe, on engineer's left side.</div>
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Close-up of conductor's console. Left to right: speedometer readout, emergency brake handle, horn and radio microphone in holder.</div>
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First door from the cab forward. Toilet to left. Electronic controller rack to right.</div>
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View from conductor's side, to the right.</div>
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Same, slightly different.</div>
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Detail of conductor's desk: speedometer readout, emergency brake valve, horn, radio mike.</div>
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Two different foot-rests on conductor's side of cab, bottom. With various electrical conduit pipes.</div>
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Door to nose of cab.</div>
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Back wall of cab with collision strut.</div>
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Overall back wall of cab, with view towards conductor's right side.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Geek Squad flow chart for fixing obscure stuff that crews couldn't care less about.</div>
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Right side engineer's seat.</div>
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Engineer's side footwell, to include three foot-rests.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Engineer's overall controller view from seat.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Same view, slightly different angle.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Major control panel, including start switch, locomotive isolation switch, lights and dynamic brake position cutout.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Geek chart and lower cab filter cover.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is an "extra" fold-down jump seat for a potential "fourth member" of the cab. Adjacent right side cab door. Floor, by the way, is a spongy type rubber for cushioning and insulation/sound damping.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Middle chair, covered -- as are the others -- with heavy duty vinyl and bolsters.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Conductor's side chair, vinyl, adjustable, with armrests.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
View out center of cab.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
View towards right side cab door.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Engineer's AAR control stand on left and screens to front.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall view of conductor's side of cab.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
View of engineer's position from above.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Air Start system.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Loco ratings and information.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
8548's rating.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Close up of isolation switch.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Same, different angle.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Left computer screen.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
View out right side locomotive door.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Detail of right side loco door.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Detail of master screen.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Controller information.</div>
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More controller information, detail.</div>
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Radio above, brakes below.</div>
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Radio head above; brake controller below with red and black handles. Train brakes: red. Independent: black.</div>
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High view from the engineer.</div>
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Engineer's view with screens below.</div>
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Left side conductor's view.</div>
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Left side conductor's view behind, in mirror.</div>
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This is MP154 in the cab.</div>
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I hope you enjoyed this excursion into the cab of an EMD SD70ACe locomotive. As per normal, no information will be given or revealed about the time, date or location of each cab visit, or the employees who were so kind as to allow me access to same.</div>
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span></div>
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-22046961738062200072012-10-08T18:31:00.001-07:002012-10-09T18:22:26.940-07:00Winter's coming: UP 604 in ColfaxIn the process of traveling up to my cabin from work this past week, I happened to stop in Colfax for groceries and hardware.<br />
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In the late 90's, Colfax was a Helper Unit point, where predominantly elder SD40s would be attached to heavy consists and helper unit crews waited for their various trains. It was a place of great activity where train crews changed, they stopped for lunch, let helpers idle, and various trains would be placed "in the hole" so that priority trains achieved a run-around.<br />
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Then Colfax -- whose existence was owed solely to the presence of the <span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://www.cprr.com/">Central Pacific Railroad</a></span> -- decided it was time to kick the railroad to the curb. Too much idling. Too much noise. Too much diesel. But mostly too much noise. Despite the fact that the idling locomotives were nowhere near any homes but only adjacent remote businesses -- that could profit (and did) from crews seeking food whilst waiting.<br />
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In the meantime, now and then, Colfax reaped what it sowed. It wanted to disavow the railroads? Both Southern Pacific and Union Pacific? It achieved what it wanted: it went from its own police department to coverage from the surrounding county. It went from an incorporated city to a portion of the surrounding county. It went from significance to insignificance. Just check the current status of business: the only consistency in the city is one of its bars. Imagine that.<br />
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And it went from helper units crewed by an engineer and a conductor attached in Colfax to DPUs (Distributed Power Units) assembled back down in Roseville and operated by point cab engineers via Locotrol.<br />
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That said, here is a detailed examination of <span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17047">UP 604</a></span> in all its recent resplendent 7/25/2012 <b>A</b>rmour <b>Y</b>ellow paint, attached to <a href="http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rspicture.aspx?id=502075">SPMW 4034</a> (a Jordan spreader) and <a href="http://flickriver.com/photos/23065916@N04/2776707265/">SPMW 304</a>, a flanger unit.<br />
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I would have attached a video, except that this consist was dead and not idling.<br />
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Ain't that great: I caught a brand new repaint yet unspoiled by dirt and grime and work and tunnels. <br />
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These Jordan spreaders exhibit the swirling circular windows customarily found on large ships.<br />
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This cone funnels snow from the center of the track to the right of the consist.<br />
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As opposed to previous versions, the new flanger units feature extended hothouse windows.<br />
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Here, the cone will funnel snow out towards the left side of the consist.<br />
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EMD B-trucks on the locomotive.<br />
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In the overall scheme, UP 604 is remarkably light in weight.<br />
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Looks like you have an idea as to how much fuel a GP38-2 can carry.<br />
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Very nice UP logo.<br />
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Here, a major statement is made. Pneumatic bells will soon be replaced by <a href="http://www.grahamwhite.com/main/category.php?C1=7">Graham-White E-bells</a>, powered by electricity instead of pressurized air. Gone will be the clang of an actual bell, replaced by a simulacrum.<br />
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I frankly love the newly-painted and sand-cast major truck details exhibiting EMD in Harbor Mist Grey.<br />
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Anyone have any greater details in terms of various UP snow fighters?<br />
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Considering -- these photographs were taken in early October. In -- I would suggest -- anticipation of some serious weather ahead for Winter of 2012.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>P.S.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Click on each photograph to enlarge it markedly and, perhaps, to enable a desktop photo. Copy my photographs for free if you will, but please credit me.</span></b></span>
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-46510426136572654012012-10-01T20:19:00.000-07:002012-10-03T13:39:50.911-07:00UP 7970 West: an incredibly SHINY new locomotive consist!There are roughly nine new videos awaiting posting on this blog, my having captured them over the past two months and then edited them down this past week.<br />
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That said, I couldn't help but push those videos all aside in order to post this video instead, which involves a quadruple set of <i>brilliant</i> new GE C45ACCTE Union Pacific locomotives -- also known in GE builder nomenclature as the ES44AC, in the <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Evolution_Series">Evolution Series</a></span>.<br />
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Below, UP 7970 West takes point on a Union Pacific Z-train (UP's verbiage for a priority consist), with 8017, 7993 and 8002 behind. <b>[</b>It is interesting to note that Union Pacific had, prior, given numbers 8002 and 8017 to the <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD90MAC">EMD SD90MAC</a></span> (also know, in UP parlance, as the SD9043AC).<b>]</b><br />
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As I customarily indicate, I recommend you not watch the video here on my site, but instead click on <a href="http://youtu.be/u6WjMBPzyTg">this link to YouTube</a> where you can completely enlarge the image (Please click on the "HD quality" button -- makes a <i><b>big</b></i> difference!) and then clap on some headphones for the sound.<br />
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I first caught this wonderful consist exiting Tunnel 35 in the high granite of Donner Pass, then followed it down through Rocky Point, under Interstate 80, and the single track at MP 135.<br />
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I had a friend with me for the day, and we had previously captured UP 8441 running eastbound through Switch 9 (video coming).<br />
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As a very strange aside, when we parked and then began to hike down to the tracks, we passed a white cranker transient chick -- with no pack, no boots, equipment -- who neither spoke nor met our eyes as we walked by. Quite bizarre. She disappeared. I almost expected the windows of my SUV to be broken and the rest of my camera and video equipment to be gone when I returned. However, as my guest pointed out, she wouldn't have possessed the muscle to do so.<br />
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Above, UP 7970 rolls down towards Rocky Point in the late afternoon Sierra Nevada mountain sunshine.<br />
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Here, I caught UP 8002 passing near MP135, a close detail of its freshly-painted cab, labeling and UP side shield.<br />
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Bottom line: these UP units are <span style="color: lime;"><b>so new</b></span> that they are not yet listed in James Kerr's DPA-LTA book nor are they accessible on the internet. You'll just have to trust me on their nomenclature.<br />
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I love new units, and I enjoy posting things that that bulk of Traindom doesn't quite seem to yet possess.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b>MP154</b></span><br />
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P.S.<br />
Click on the photos -- captures of my videos -- in order to expand their size. And finally: I am having to deal with the "new Blogger" and that, in itself, poses a challenge I may not be, yet, up to.<br />
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If this post doesn't quite correspond to the professional manner in which I've made prior posts, I grandly apologize.<br />
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It's now a matter of me having to re-acquaint myself with Blogger and its new iterations. Please give me some time, if you will, to familiarize myself with this new Dashboard. <br />
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<br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-6192140750575450982012-09-18T18:47:00.011-07:002012-09-18T19:33:16.576-07:00UP 8659 West meets UP 7378 East -- Another train meet!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRE9xMyT5LGldDLfFtBbHj6jyFkJ4_RVYvcyECbVccQv7KSQOUNSaokz2zPw9fkrPtY0JAb_Vok-E2wGLQXO53VbrY8rOsOKW4qvAdY3UQWouWLqQv66bw0_d7rHhNzWWFIXwihdB8PGj/s1600/UP+8659+West+A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRE9xMyT5LGldDLfFtBbHj6jyFkJ4_RVYvcyECbVccQv7KSQOUNSaokz2zPw9fkrPtY0JAb_Vok-E2wGLQXO53VbrY8rOsOKW4qvAdY3UQWouWLqQv66bw0_d7rHhNzWWFIXwihdB8PGj/s400/UP+8659+West+A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5789707230381124274" border="0" /></a><br />How I manage to consistently do this, I do not know.<br /><br />That said, I proffer the below video as evidence of my innate ability to be present for any number of elaborate train meets:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8MNc1nYo-kI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Here, UP 8659 West meets UP 7378 East, slightly east of Colfax.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPlHNoDynS5BjyzI6Q6HjOkx20yjeUoSCu0b-PvoRJwMfGUrhguVvADNn35yVbobEsFsh1dRvrULTfqNvFEeZDmTQXDJNVHeCrCSRclL0gPSGsDhTve1QbPLijYp-s_vr9PHvmapyshXc/s1600/UP+8659+West+D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPlHNoDynS5BjyzI6Q6HjOkx20yjeUoSCu0b-PvoRJwMfGUrhguVvADNn35yVbobEsFsh1dRvrULTfqNvFEeZDmTQXDJNVHeCrCSRclL0gPSGsDhTve1QbPLijYp-s_vr9PHvmapyshXc/s400/UP+8659+West+D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5789707564716096274" border="0" /></a><br />And here, 8659 approaches the Colfax circuit:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv-r7LWGWm1FvktweS-ebD9j0qwchaes7qw01naoL6mRhz4rTzKjdkCpVLje6MERHnRypZHXLCN7axb2pkOkziiU0oijQWhAoWDrqO_J3qJ2Pm5ak-Hnl5q368V8SiZ_jFtsLzK6Jtlx2/s1600/UP+8659+West+F-A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv-r7LWGWm1FvktweS-ebD9j0qwchaes7qw01naoL6mRhz4rTzKjdkCpVLje6MERHnRypZHXLCN7axb2pkOkziiU0oijQWhAoWDrqO_J3qJ2Pm5ak-Hnl5q368V8SiZ_jFtsLzK6Jtlx2/s400/UP+8659+West+F-A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5789708527323187698" border="0" /></a><br />As I always recommend, check out the YouTube link <span style="color:#33ccff;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8MNc1nYo-kI">on its own</a></span>, wear headphones, and expand the video to its breadth.<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;"><b>MP154</b></span><br /><br /><br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-22027007957786160802012-08-20T11:03:00.006-07:002012-08-20T11:28:04.307-07:00UP 7729 West meets UP 7676 East:And does so in the 95-degree heat just below the very small town of Gold Run.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuGaVIIgrP0glYwejtkthMDOj4I9ulBcMADH8zSwZIHvHGzkvLbr8cTPWwl_Y0dFZZR88VsN_k56wZS6ZOSZL6sFKpa4yaz9R3vIlWmIBVygCRoIzrNaK1bo_tVgCaTBDY0fPR3LoyN4X/s1600/7676+East+Passing+7729+West%252C+UP-A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuGaVIIgrP0glYwejtkthMDOj4I9ulBcMADH8zSwZIHvHGzkvLbr8cTPWwl_Y0dFZZR88VsN_k56wZS6ZOSZL6sFKpa4yaz9R3vIlWmIBVygCRoIzrNaK1bo_tVgCaTBDY0fPR3LoyN4X/s400/7676+East+Passing+7729+West%252C+UP-A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5778820701255594274" border="0" /></a><br />Once again I inadvertently manage to capture a very rare train meet on video.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0sN4mXFMYgw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="264" width="470"></iframe><br /><br />Created on August 7, 2012 using FlipShare, this was an incredibly hot day west of Gold Run. UP 7729 West was a stack train running downhill on the #1 track, stopping for a signal indication at MP152. The signal went green and 7729 continued its way downhill. UP 7729 is a GE C44ACCTE with 4,400 hp, following by four EMD SD70M locomotives: 4771, 5064, 4492 and 4536, all possessing 4,000 hp. The train is assisted by UP 8684 in DPU status at the end, an EMD SD70ACe.<br /><br />After 7729 releases its brakes, you can hear another train approaching at another crossing further west of Gold Run. UP 7676 is caught running uphill, east on the #2 track.<br /><br />I get the camera a little closer than normal on this video, scorching my arms on the hot ballast.<br /><br />Check out the entire <span style="color:#33ffff;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sN4mXFMYgw&feature=plcp">YouTube video here</a></span> and enlarge it for your screen. Wear headphones and enjoy! [There is scanner traffic in the background as well.]<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;"><b>MP154</b></span><br /><br /><br />Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-36480815162116762912012-07-22T14:10:00.017-07:002012-07-29T18:58:54.339-07:00A very rare California Zephyr train meet at Switch 9:It was a beautiful day in the Sierra Nevadas, and I was again train-chasing with scanner, camera and video.<br /><br />I first caught the eastbound #6 <span style="color:#66ffff;"><a href="http://www.amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train">California Zephyr</a></span> near Secret Town, running up the hill at full passenger train track speed of 30 mph. I immediately noticed there were three units pulling; normally Amtrak only places two locomotives on each Zephyr.<br /><br />Those familiar with the <span style="color:#66ffff;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Zephyr">California Zephyr</a></span> know that the route runs between Chicago, Illinois in the east, to Emeryville in California. The westbound Zephyr is the #5, and the eastbound Zephyr is the #6.<br /><br />Those familiar with train-chasing also know that catching a train meet photographically or on video is extremely rare; it is even <i>more</i> rare to catch a meet of the two California Zephyr trains, as they run only once per day, each direction.<br /><br />With that in mind, please see my video below. <span style="color:#66ffff;"> </span><span style="color:#66ffff;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnBvLVoY-U"><i>Click here</i></a></span> to visit the YouTube link itself, where you can enlarge the video completely on your screen.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tHnBvLVoY-U" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="264" width="470"></iframe><br /><br />You can see that I catch the eastbound Zephyr, first, near Secret Town and approaching Gold Run. The eastbound #6 Zephyr features GE P42B #203 on point, with #201 in second spot and #189 in third position. I found this unusual, because Amtrak customarily runs only two engines on the Zephyr. I soon discovered #189 was dead and likely being transported for repairs or service. All three of these engines were manufactured by GE in 2001 and feature 4,200-hp engines with DC-driven traction motors.<br /><br />The westbound #5 Zephyr, at Switch 9, has GE unit #192 on point, with #161 trailing. Both of these engines come from the same pedigree as the #6 Zephyr locomotives.<br /><br />My apologies: as the eastbound #6 enters the Switch 9 tunnel, I fell from the rock where I stood whilst attempting to pan.<br /><br />That said, as I hiked down to the tracks from the top of the Emigrant Gap area, I felt a certain "something" -- a bit like my Spidey Sense was tingling. Like this:<br /><br />Mountain lions in the western United States have been re-populating exponentially. A recent mountain lion attack in my general area put an older hiker in the hospital with very serious head, neck and shoulder wounds, when a big cat ventured into a camper's tent at night.<br /><br />Up in the high Sierra Nevada elevations where I live and customarily shoot video and digital photographs, mountain lions and black bears range. They are the pinnacle predators. Plus, the deer populations have rapidly expanded as well, creating a wonderful food source for said apex predators.<br /><br />Two things I fear, because I primarily hike alone: a lone mountain lion -- old and addled or young and stupid -- or the cubs of a black bear. Because that means Mom is nearby and mostly unhappy.<br /><br />I've seen much bear scat with berries and large animal prints over the years -- in the dust, the mud and the snow.<br /><br />That day, the hair on the back of my neck raised and my radar lit up from behind. Mountain lions will take you from behind and you mostly won't see or hear them.<br /><br />I started making noises, talking, and snapping my fingers. For those of you so interested, I am also customarily armed with a handgun whose caliber never falls below the first digit of <span style="color:#33ff33;"><b>4</b></span>. And a number of speedloaders. Mostly, I carry a <span style="color:#33ffff;"><a href="http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/models.html">Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan</a></span> in .454 Casull.<br /><br />I grabbed my video and hiked back uphill. I felt I was being watched. It felt like a large, bloody <span style="color:#ffff00;"><b>X</b></span> was painted on my back.<br /><br />Ever have that feeling when you're hiking?<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;"><b>MP154</b></span>Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-44045460850653748412012-07-09T10:31:00.000-07:002012-07-09T13:44:27.322-07:00Tunnel 18 In Newcastle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSBwO4ZOgseoGnkvDr6azsZaM4JKYWkYDalgoBevWZnO3688ofRbaKU5fJC5fFwCxnva_KJHlBWzytE45zIiTkI0iqQYFkc5Sf4k4cdoPbdVnWubKN_T5AR29nK4rLxIBHQZTS9EmoeF7/s1600/Donner+Pass+Tunnel+Project+Graphic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSBwO4ZOgseoGnkvDr6azsZaM4JKYWkYDalgoBevWZnO3688ofRbaKU5fJC5fFwCxnva_KJHlBWzytE45zIiTkI0iqQYFkc5Sf4k4cdoPbdVnWubKN_T5AR29nK4rLxIBHQZTS9EmoeF7/s400/Donner+Pass+Tunnel+Project+Graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744681786671847074" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/service/2009/1123_donnerpass.shtml">Union Pacific finished their tunnel enlargement program in November of 2009</a> (above) -- in order to accommodate double-stack or container traffic (as shown below) over Donner Pass. I summarized UP's new container traffic capabilities over the Roseville Subdivision <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://mp154trainblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/double-stack-trains-over-donner-pass.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWCG7XcStYlnc15eUnYYatgJHWuOxOspIyKY17x3qpC04nWavhFPV6X82v51nbYiQrr8jW2KpStzGtrUT1eVVGQt1cjEl309Vl43bk2wDlcFrWN4lKxV6D41guBPTCMth4RTf9m5STXWw/s1600/2-6-2012+6-58-35+AM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWCG7XcStYlnc15eUnYYatgJHWuOxOspIyKY17x3qpC04nWavhFPV6X82v51nbYiQrr8jW2KpStzGtrUT1eVVGQt1cjEl309Vl43bk2wDlcFrWN4lKxV6D41guBPTCMth4RTf9m5STXWw/s400/2-6-2012+6-58-35+AM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744673476433589042" border="0" /></a><br />I <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://mp154trainblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/tunnel-18-making-double-stack-space.html">created this post</a> to illustrate one way that UP had altered tunnels so that the extended heights of double-stack well cars could be accommodated. Those photos in that post included:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Q0K6H6VtMIgFsWWhWA9E5V9CqF9lDrGn1qZYXWbjIY90lgp0PMNEdMS6AHD4_61LcL_l3T8c-Wl1twLNyQpap2pDg1D6OXxTzwTBVs7TXUtRUHt319UrcOdfuFO1KSDaAM8Tf8hLmIu/s1600/DSC02301-2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Q0K6H6VtMIgFsWWhWA9E5V9CqF9lDrGn1qZYXWbjIY90lgp0PMNEdMS6AHD4_61LcL_l3T8c-Wl1twLNyQpap2pDg1D6OXxTzwTBVs7TXUtRUHt319UrcOdfuFO1KSDaAM8Tf8hLmIu/s400/DSC02301-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744683418503949890" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvW2fBPg2blNiCkyp6q4rbKxeu-kqXbaqmAe1wOO9iCy1A7bKdnm3N2YgXgKMd6YeBrHw0J3buKfugKSyFLEDSKy-NElN0DdrvpxROzuq-4cYtjLpZxgpob7oTmlUmSKPqocBskMWLxov/s1600/DSC02303-3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvW2fBPg2blNiCkyp6q4rbKxeu-kqXbaqmAe1wOO9iCy1A7bKdnm3N2YgXgKMd6YeBrHw0J3buKfugKSyFLEDSKy-NElN0DdrvpxROzuq-4cYtjLpZxgpob7oTmlUmSKPqocBskMWLxov/s400/DSC02303-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744683410836223170" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w22SnpONcGqhDzp8KkfI_6F8oIBI178gKBcPJsmMmwK0uenaCM8EytMznzOFJnawWcHn6UL7_QHPoW4F46pKmCn1s6zS9kO8LdWjqUTmx5G0JYyCL3A0rFKeJV4-enbKW_L4F52BiQOB/s1600/DSC02305-A-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w22SnpONcGqhDzp8KkfI_6F8oIBI178gKBcPJsmMmwK0uenaCM8EytMznzOFJnawWcHn6UL7_QHPoW4F46pKmCn1s6zS9kO8LdWjqUTmx5G0JYyCL3A0rFKeJV4-enbKW_L4F52BiQOB/s400/DSC02305-A-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744683409452824370" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXq75qyCbRixI8OUpaqDvBzoa8i8X98mTBzBoXdKjxCqeQZqDp4XqzrfHzXCcNtXoSBAYoQPa_umDP_L2FIeSwVQ3xL0n_1-PZiUVKdisQzfdKderTcDN82dvujzzxkJ6jJKhxEDOZopy/s1600/DSC02300-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXq75qyCbRixI8OUpaqDvBzoa8i8X98mTBzBoXdKjxCqeQZqDp4XqzrfHzXCcNtXoSBAYoQPa_umDP_L2FIeSwVQ3xL0n_1-PZiUVKdisQzfdKderTcDN82dvujzzxkJ6jJKhxEDOZopy/s400/DSC02300-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744683424138696770" border="0" /></a><br />Those photographs were, oddly enough, of the western portal to Tunnel 18 (<a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://cprr.org/Museum/Sierra_Grade_8-2003/Newcastle_Grade/index.html">excellent historical reference to Tunnel 18 <span style="font-style: italic;">here</span>, from CPRR.org</a>). Tunnel 18, finished in 1909 -- the year of its construction is engraved in granite atop each portal entrance -- is at UP's milepost 119 and is 991 feet long, double-tracked. Its west and east portals and "wing-walls" are constructed from granite blocks hewn out of the rock through which the Central Pacific had to blast in the 1860s, high in the Sierra Nevada mountains.<br /><br />Tunnel 18 was holed in 1909 as part of Southern Pacific's double-tracking program at the time. The original line -- built by the primarily Chinese workforce of the <a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://www.cprr.org/">Central Pacific Railroad</a> -- contained only one roadbed. The second line was laid in order to lessen the severity of grade for newer (also heavier and longer) trains and engines, but it necessitated the creation of more tunnels (as well as more cuts and fills) to enable that purpose -- hence, Tunnel 18. Probably the finest overall reference material for Donner Pass is John Signor's book "<a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://www.goldenwestbooks.com/mainline-railroading/southern-pacific/donner-pass/">Donner Pass: Southern Pacific's Sierra Crossing</a>," published by Golden West Books.<br /><br />Below, you can see my video reference for Tunnel 18:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/73ZwPH9sFFI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="264" width="470"></iframe><br /><br />This video is a "first" for many reasons. It represents my first attempt at video editing, as limited as it may be by the software. It represents my having to become much more familiar with YouTube and how it is handled and massaged. And it represents an attempt to make this blog a bit more professional.<br /><br />Since the assembly of the video, I've shot a number of additional videos for editing, awaiting insertion into my YouTube channel.<br /><br />My sincerest apologies for not having created a post here for two months but work is, after all, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">work</span>, and frequently gets in the way of what I'd certainly prefer to be doing.<br /><br />Take care and be safe. More videos coming.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">MP154</span><br /><br />P.S.<br />If you have any comments or reactions to the video, please respond.Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-39765923403278154202012-04-09T12:06:00.041-07:002012-04-09T18:50:00.983-07:00Inside an Amtrak GE P42DC Locomotive<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHQZQ4wzIvfUM64KqXCfVi4h6E8sremWwvfRKnRF_fDBLgeBhT-tkgjpsQqnH6jtTwL8lLH253dpNq-SzROorOJ6ForHo9i07ysnpCZhdWH5FEkOyrl-gHs_0ququP7sY1MLPKSSq8PVn/s1600/DSC05028-A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHQZQ4wzIvfUM64KqXCfVi4h6E8sremWwvfRKnRF_fDBLgeBhT-tkgjpsQqnH6jtTwL8lLH253dpNq-SzROorOJ6ForHo9i07ysnpCZhdWH5FEkOyrl-gHs_0ququP7sY1MLPKSSq8PVn/s400/DSC05028-A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729551715752957698" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Amtrak #6, the California Zephyr, with #100 on point, on a different day from these cab shots -- taken past the detector at MP148. The train is about to pass under Interstate 80.<br /></span></div><br />Because these photos take me so long to upload, I need to set aside, literally, <span style="font-style: italic;">hours</span> to create a blogpost such as this -- that is to say, a post that is festooned with more than three or four smaller sized photographs. I finally had that time.<br /><br />For our viewing pleasure today, I present my sojourn into the cab of one of Amtrak's P42DC <a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Genesis">General Electric Genesis</a> locomotives, #100. This engine is one of a hundred purchased by Amtrak and built in 1997, featuring 4,250 hp and weighing 268,000 pounds (134 tons). This locomotive has a four-stroke diesel prime mover and DC traction motors on B trucks.<br /><br />The story is this: Amtrak's #5 <a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);" href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1237608341980/1237405732511">California Zephyr</a> is traveling westbound (downhill) over the Roseville Subdivision having already passed Truckee, Donner Lake and Towle. It came to a stop when there were serious track problems ahead. Again, as indicated, I will not be giving details as to time, date, specific situation or even the year involved, in order to keep every cab crew safe and anonymous. This is one primary reason I <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> am invited into cabs after 16 years of track coverage.<br /><br />That said, because I was taking photographs around the stopped train, the engineer asked if I'd care to climb up into the cab for a tour, anticipating their being in place for at least an hour or two.<br /><br />We spoke at length about our respective jobs, and pointed out a few things about the GE P42DC. First, he said he somewhat enjoyed the ride as compared to freight locomotives, and enjoyed the fact that passenger trains take priority over freight on <a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);" href="http://www.up.com/investors/attachments/factbooks/2009/factbook.pdf">UP's</a> Roseville Sub.<br /><br />He also said, however, that he didn't much care for the limited view from the cab, or the fact that there wasn't much of a "crash cushion" in the nose; that is to say, freight locomotives have longer noses and collision posts ahead of the cab, enabling in his mind the ability to more readily survive a head-on impact with another locomotive or the end of another train.<br /><br />He also indicated that the Genesis P42 was "top heavy," because the fuel tanks were designed higher into the carbody than freight locomotives, for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. This translated to, he said, occasional uneasiness for engineers at higher speeds in curves.<br /><br />Continuing, he said, GE four-stroke engines don't load quite as quickly as EMD two-stroke engines, but that is common. Finally, because of the distance from the seat to the window, he misses being able to rest his arm and elbow on the open window sill.<br /><br />We continued speaking about the working conditions, unions and pay scales (<a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);" href="http://www.4rr.com/0/8_001.htm">Amtrak</a> pay in 2007 was $28/hour; engineer pay in general, as of 2011, ranges between $50,000 to $110,000 per year depending on a large number of factors) of our various jobs and I made a note that I hadn't considered: there are <span style="font-style: italic;">two</span> engineers in the cab. The person sitting in what would normally be the conductor's left seat is called the "co-engineer," because, of course, there are <span style="font-style: italic;">actual</span> conductors on board the trailing cars of the train. <span style="font-style: italic;">Both</span> persons are qualified engineers and spell each other when necessary.<br /><br />Finally, UP's Dispatcher 74 cleared the Zephyr to continue, and the train departed. I had made another friend. Capturing the interior of an Amtrak train is a <span style="font-style: italic;">rarity</span> indeed, because <span style="font-style: italic;">seldom</span> do Amtrak trains stop -- and only <span style="font-style: italic;">briefly</span> -- at their appointed stations.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD0KIAAvDv9V3Kg7X1KvBykz5UhvZrzi_3GRIMvC5zLz7ksyWr5KIZDKFVcHf42dZ0A5Er0VVRDLXURqCFhK9h8V72sim0BrVJqJvf9D8V2LUvMEOJQ7M_Oa_9OGjDBnRo29IZVi1XpsG/s1600/DSC01870.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRD0KIAAvDv9V3Kg7X1KvBykz5UhvZrzi_3GRIMvC5zLz7ksyWr5KIZDKFVcHf42dZ0A5Er0VVRDLXURqCFhK9h8V72sim0BrVJqJvf9D8V2LUvMEOJQ7M_Oa_9OGjDBnRo29IZVi1XpsG/s400/DSC01870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729493235189503650" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >The right (engineer's) side of Amtrak #100. As opposed to freight locomotives, this series of GE engines feature suspended seats with <span style="font-style: italic;">cloth</span> instead of heavy-duty <span style="font-style: italic;">vinyl</span> coverings. You can see that, if spun forward, the seat would be a number of inches away from the engineer's window. Resting your elbow on the window sill? Not happening.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8ZdXEplM271_6SX_gyprkiThI0SeNTh7GPiMbtnAFrisZt67OpTt-7YS_DiV0LPTBrFZ0r6BAVyqANhWRpe1ljjapRztGaPL_qfYEOzk8yP6wWpQoMvVLwyf5K4OHbeXCu9KMAkysFmn/s1600/DSC01868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8ZdXEplM271_6SX_gyprkiThI0SeNTh7GPiMbtnAFrisZt67OpTt-7YS_DiV0LPTBrFZ0r6BAVyqANhWRpe1ljjapRztGaPL_qfYEOzk8yP6wWpQoMvVLwyf5K4OHbeXCu9KMAkysFmn/s400/DSC01868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729493223601584722" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >The co-engineer's seat, left side of the locomotive. Many of the screens and controls are duplicated on this side, as opposed to a freight locomotive -- which provides little (if any) input or monitoring for the freight conductor. Just behind the co-engineer's seat (lower left) is the cab refrigerator.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTMlCyhfYYdaXsEdn1U1QJaMAujrb-5l_GuF-A4GvSijcbJ1Z6n4Hdlm2htED-v5MLsAXEx_HlPCZs84srXEEP5CCn9auEtOGWqeydL4r-b_dz-aAIiZhP6o4vtfGJgj4tUCU4Ur-i0XY/s1600/DSC01867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTMlCyhfYYdaXsEdn1U1QJaMAujrb-5l_GuF-A4GvSijcbJ1Z6n4Hdlm2htED-v5MLsAXEx_HlPCZs84srXEEP5CCn9auEtOGWqeydL4r-b_dz-aAIiZhP6o4vtfGJgj4tUCU4Ur-i0XY/s400/DSC01867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729493220174351858" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Looking out the left side door, forward. Rearview mirror provided for the co-engineer. As opposed to a freight locomotive, there are bi-lateral doors on a GE Genesis engine because there is no nose door.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwTQG8meS5UIwEaah1y21mIsGxziLOAUhgLdjyp_Sf67svGf65ZNGmR4bb3WHdkmExjy5G2bQERCHWldHcgXzSlqPG9rrxEoBvJcWNMdEVnPfCKUP73_cyjsQxtTumVUPIatIc4jSfc89/s1600/DSC01866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwTQG8meS5UIwEaah1y21mIsGxziLOAUhgLdjyp_Sf67svGf65ZNGmR4bb3WHdkmExjy5G2bQERCHWldHcgXzSlqPG9rrxEoBvJcWNMdEVnPfCKUP73_cyjsQxtTumVUPIatIc4jSfc89/s400/DSC01866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729493213891847810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">HEP (head end power) control panel on the co-engineer's side, along with the large red emergency brake button on left, and red HEP cutoff button on right.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCHpRCnZhC0dXoV95UcJd56FRaYXS3bE0J4BUHMP6wyzLet9cyJnJA12rxF8fJbkor2Z1-kTPwxJ2JGwmw-4TgoRURMcQD0vqCdOhrhIZ51CQaZmPYBlsO1_qjW6kor0ZmeKfMjc468Hl/s1600/DSC01871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCHpRCnZhC0dXoV95UcJd56FRaYXS3bE0J4BUHMP6wyzLet9cyJnJA12rxF8fJbkor2Z1-kTPwxJ2JGwmw-4TgoRURMcQD0vqCdOhrhIZ51CQaZmPYBlsO1_qjW6kor0ZmeKfMjc468Hl/s400/DSC01871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729493243776247154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Overhead view of engineer's seat, with yours truly in the right-side rearview. Right side engineer position has two CRT screens, in order to switch from various necessary command views and monitor two screens simultaneously.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqxwakd5wb-k-GBcqK9IUME8Z_iz7AyksRg6Vw4uE0sjLqXgy-SRBWa84LlnAQPt1pDLA21zmTdMcFIQGnm9qcw3wAFHDnuWpTsFJH4M4xgfsVivpLmOACZiwO5hwmdZPEk5mgTtnS9yN/s1600/DSC01864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqxwakd5wb-k-GBcqK9IUME8Z_iz7AyksRg6Vw4uE0sjLqXgy-SRBWa84LlnAQPt1pDLA21zmTdMcFIQGnm9qcw3wAFHDnuWpTsFJH4M4xgfsVivpLmOACZiwO5hwmdZPEk5mgTtnS9yN/s400/DSC01864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729490574307180674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >GE display, indicating that HEP is on, HEP is running at 427 amps, train is stopped, 93 pounds in the brake pipe.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgKrDMABQb9sZr6bjIRXSqnG4BO1_Y8SOjEoZZTCC0trkdywb0qT5QipPN1K5k2nRjbw-nJxTW-VTs65vopIqFremTlbS9VtFFo2sbcm-Tv3LnLhuc2TlfhJKHMDGzLKnepUEYrgLG35R/s1600/DSC01863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgKrDMABQb9sZr6bjIRXSqnG4BO1_Y8SOjEoZZTCC0trkdywb0qT5QipPN1K5k2nRjbw-nJxTW-VTs65vopIqFremTlbS9VtFFo2sbcm-Tv3LnLhuc2TlfhJKHMDGzLKnepUEYrgLG35R/s400/DSC01863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729490568052987554" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Sitting in the co-engineer's seat, looking toward engineer. Seat facing forward, left armrest up.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTBxEjTGJRd2oDZE3SgWu3bPNiTsoCThAecrFTPUyNWayUowakCyXhRISaHYeaOaITj5Wl6MuN0NGBVYxwqK86u_W-Zt2RRdBKQjnRbi0aKJ9bpiVtxIWy0ttgS087PITkn4sbMnchAdL/s1600/DSC01862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTBxEjTGJRd2oDZE3SgWu3bPNiTsoCThAecrFTPUyNWayUowakCyXhRISaHYeaOaITj5Wl6MuN0NGBVYxwqK86u_W-Zt2RRdBKQjnRbi0aKJ9bpiVtxIWy0ttgS087PITkn4sbMnchAdL/s400/DSC01862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729490558978261234" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Chatting with the engineer, whose right elbow I actually expose here. Nice bag of chips. Cab crews get hungry like anyone else. And, unless stopped, cab crews can't be reached or fed by passenger cars due to the configuration of the locomotives. They are isolated.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZ8JN9MrAl0x6ZmMrv8DKTFUCBNPtmwuYb8ndJEv80Pc2FQjTml_MM9XYXIobiAhGTAdY2hgRpmc6mFoOOtZhTjSEzwO86TWMrs5XEFAe0_2AHb5uPewVCdgJZoyNgZLXpV12JqlpOs7/s1600/DSC01865.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZ8JN9MrAl0x6ZmMrv8DKTFUCBNPtmwuYb8ndJEv80Pc2FQjTml_MM9XYXIobiAhGTAdY2hgRpmc6mFoOOtZhTjSEzwO86TWMrs5XEFAe0_2AHb5uPewVCdgJZoyNgZLXpV12JqlpOs7/s400/DSC01865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729490581408280066" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Co-engineer's side, sun shade pulled down, CRT screen in middle.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY_T00copkf2J8K6iQJR3eGp3WnJIeiZKXh7qx_bNjJe7UMn1WRtgmNa8W8mBUbZgOJd8cs0z6HVJaDOnxDW3rbfTNOBbEAGD2wlb0aEArxkg9acXR-sWjhLkVk4_9Tw4Irh8r8gyaZqv/s1600/DSC01860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY_T00copkf2J8K6iQJR3eGp3WnJIeiZKXh7qx_bNjJe7UMn1WRtgmNa8W8mBUbZgOJd8cs0z6HVJaDOnxDW3rbfTNOBbEAGD2wlb0aEArxkg9acXR-sWjhLkVk4_9Tw4Irh8r8gyaZqv/s400/DSC01860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729488470114457570" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Here, you can see all three seats available in a GE Genesis locomotive. On right, engineer's seat. Upper left, co-engineer's seat. Engineer leans on middle seat, for one extra cab occupant. You can see that not only is the floor rubberized for noise isolation, but there are floor equipment access panels as well. Middle bin contains reading material and digital programmable radio.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RUII_e9wTMzNkeXz7v3IT_OQ2tj8hGlsmqamnUtTCecSnxZisW-cJjA3ETus2Vrbimt6Lsxdc5kDbYv-D7EBfyTZYDEZZFyeLVTHiODM7vYzPjkx7IQzRyEFfuhPm40dNEm_t7QqrpL4/s1600/DSC01859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RUII_e9wTMzNkeXz7v3IT_OQ2tj8hGlsmqamnUtTCecSnxZisW-cJjA3ETus2Vrbimt6Lsxdc5kDbYv-D7EBfyTZYDEZZFyeLVTHiODM7vYzPjkx7IQzRyEFfuhPm40dNEm_t7QqrpL4/s400/DSC01859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729488464792625442" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Left graphic display on engineer's side.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoJkdvAu3P234jOjOrdr4xtLom6p75jD5lxFUfBqiPkmmW5BBKZegLry5nzPCvVscdLWKiQfMKsgYSaUXvCVOOsbn9Mh7kuXmKm_8HZF6brD_lOU2tI2hi-wO_BXXSKJiQSm9fgsKMcAX/s1600/DSC01858.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoJkdvAu3P234jOjOrdr4xtLom6p75jD5lxFUfBqiPkmmW5BBKZegLry5nzPCvVscdLWKiQfMKsgYSaUXvCVOOsbn9Mh7kuXmKm_8HZF6brD_lOU2tI2hi-wO_BXXSKJiQSm9fgsKMcAX/s400/DSC01858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729488457480393618" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Close-up of engineer's desktop control panel. From left to right: Reverser (handle removed and with engineer per rules), throttle & dynamic brake then, on the right cluster, the automatic brake (for train) and independent brake (for the locomotive). Forward to apply braking, back to release. Alerter switch reset at the lower right.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZfSkw1TMIRcyV8LLKzqZ_5mfY4LZ34M3bYF7b02roz_TWzK-DBJI0tPKfkxaVPWXBD1ac4rXWH7ZhGgSgsM05OSJun1CMZBLN1dOvSPeBgZwdW6TKTUkHO0KPTIOO4mw36AKz47Y-Atr/s1600/DSC01861.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZfSkw1TMIRcyV8LLKzqZ_5mfY4LZ34M3bYF7b02roz_TWzK-DBJI0tPKfkxaVPWXBD1ac4rXWH7ZhGgSgsM05OSJun1CMZBLN1dOvSPeBgZwdW6TKTUkHO0KPTIOO4mw36AKz47Y-Atr/s400/DSC01861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729488481098283506" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >All three seats captured vertically. Co-engineer left, engineer right.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvObNKl0sOtHnvdP-I2vFcj_-WGHUZHVqJfyYy-qjHR6GPhIR4ASll6g_DQFR4iS0mNjrw0g0HdpxJ53MpRMTFb3UYxyykMghRexOXURs_M8ffCgUcdulxohw85yRBjMY3Q6xX0j8QX_7/s1600/DSC01856.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvObNKl0sOtHnvdP-I2vFcj_-WGHUZHVqJfyYy-qjHR6GPhIR4ASll6g_DQFR4iS0mNjrw0g0HdpxJ53MpRMTFb3UYxyykMghRexOXURs_M8ffCgUcdulxohw85yRBjMY3Q6xX0j8QX_7/s400/DSC01856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729486095832595650" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Desktop controls, both screens, light and control detail panel on right.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxSvAPTAqmKmF1UcPescegQgi3VN4rsfP0_O4-APrV50T2f_yp1ZZxnGOAFcCeDqXOMT6wvKMDusfarSYDFozIhTVBBPFy47kJ8NX4cvSQivYwyUO7KgXIvDdaDItkm12bOv9rrcYK4Ph/s1600/DSC01855.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxSvAPTAqmKmF1UcPescegQgi3VN4rsfP0_O4-APrV50T2f_yp1ZZxnGOAFcCeDqXOMT6wvKMDusfarSYDFozIhTVBBPFy47kJ8NX4cvSQivYwyUO7KgXIvDdaDItkm12bOv9rrcYK4Ph/s400/DSC01855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729486087621508434" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Middle of cab-wide desktop panel, engineer position and controls on right.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjCXtnBFr-FpkI8Ux4Acf7bBT2jhrRmo87x7eXi-xK_dBUNaAm-dEIvplfPr9FOHGbaf7m57KgtlfF0ogU9mfOCAwNxFKj7Y_oa7iO-qr026tdxQtMohBcYHhAyFKDOuT_Qrf25bKcMya/s1600/DSC01854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjCXtnBFr-FpkI8Ux4Acf7bBT2jhrRmo87x7eXi-xK_dBUNaAm-dEIvplfPr9FOHGbaf7m57KgtlfF0ogU9mfOCAwNxFKj7Y_oa7iO-qr026tdxQtMohBcYHhAyFKDOuT_Qrf25bKcMya/s400/DSC01854.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729486080743034946" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Close-up of HEP control panel. Cup holders across the desktop.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRhza5TsVYnhYTJmIWWJdwEBaPQflOP3bG_Yhy2oaYlaW7ixR4lQnBXPw06k1IEDwPc5T4KBcMnPSWrF6Dk21M711tvWQvDr6akEMcuErrBKCdiuJ_cAKme7fT7Dd1_aQ1omU9KxEQPop/s1600/DSC01857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRhza5TsVYnhYTJmIWWJdwEBaPQflOP3bG_Yhy2oaYlaW7ixR4lQnBXPw06k1IEDwPc5T4KBcMnPSWrF6Dk21M711tvWQvDr6akEMcuErrBKCdiuJ_cAKme7fT7Dd1_aQ1omU9KxEQPop/s400/DSC01857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729486106220771538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Vertical shot of engineer's position, taken from engineer's seat itself. Here is what the engineer actually sees down the road, dead ahead.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS9bnaJ9bldbS-V0ACLuR17kg5A0XddbRxe8YGDU0H2or7j_8oHzD0K4BQuybdJh7RVzwp1Bw-3mJnoK3X9uxWfOEBG9eh7zJ6uKin_EVil0pUgAT_KldGt8S3B6BqbH0ejewgX17PXiI/s1600/DSC01853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS9bnaJ9bldbS-V0ACLuR17kg5A0XddbRxe8YGDU0H2or7j_8oHzD0K4BQuybdJh7RVzwp1Bw-3mJnoK3X9uxWfOEBG9eh7zJ6uKin_EVil0pUgAT_KldGt8S3B6BqbH0ejewgX17PXiI/s400/DSC01853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729484212220504658" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Close-up of co-engineer's desktop portion. Phone handle is for locomotive radio.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaYWrF3LDtrSpKpfz2CojkpdLLAJJpKv_hXhqYcmovhoHc8kFOfq1uOy-P8Si8i6O6q0E9DPwp-aTEgguR6AkicoaUcdoXCcB51hkRu2czhdElFMggRsVXOdGkp-xRSyiToyTbYQRB2AI/s1600/DSC01851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaYWrF3LDtrSpKpfz2CojkpdLLAJJpKv_hXhqYcmovhoHc8kFOfq1uOy-P8Si8i6O6q0E9DPwp-aTEgguR6AkicoaUcdoXCcB51hkRu2czhdElFMggRsVXOdGkp-xRSyiToyTbYQRB2AI/s400/DSC01851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729484205249299954" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Overall vertical view of co-engineer's (left) side, to include middle seat. Shot from engineer's seat.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgGN5Uleynnsj5JJJbZw8VupLfbV5YVUbCmr6XlPkkHVFL4hnZ1yR9VK_S6Pd_l6BCbMrh-cP-U8Izz01GxgOpIeHojmrjE4hdK8lCF7oGn1E4YLtDwBSuVNZDcYWG8874hlHbtiaH0RC/s1600/DSC01850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgGN5Uleynnsj5JJJbZw8VupLfbV5YVUbCmr6XlPkkHVFL4hnZ1yR9VK_S6Pd_l6BCbMrh-cP-U8Izz01GxgOpIeHojmrjE4hdK8lCF7oGn1E4YLtDwBSuVNZDcYWG8874hlHbtiaH0RC/s400/DSC01850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729484197908299010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Close-up view of engineer's desktop position. Click to expand for control detail. See sanding and bell controls on left side vertical strip. Buttons are blue in color.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk74pbnCKRJxD1A-9rC2WHa5SxXjMX4xiMLmCFnsVEUiHhOqcfXsWn4tvdvqUCm2h0tIy5AsnBvSyw-0xhMQspaxWUlnspuN_7gmADhniKMgqwlM-5RNDzY9WCkBVM0xzJtGkKYv5vQEow/s1600/DSC01852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk74pbnCKRJxD1A-9rC2WHa5SxXjMX4xiMLmCFnsVEUiHhOqcfXsWn4tvdvqUCm2h0tIy5AsnBvSyw-0xhMQspaxWUlnspuN_7gmADhniKMgqwlM-5RNDzY9WCkBVM0xzJtGkKYv5vQEow/s400/DSC01852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729484217499038674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Back (aft) bulkhead control panel. This is to the right of the engine room access door, right side of cab. Trash bag below. Isolation panel just above bag. Numerous circuit breakers and panels above.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu501ApCZmoQNPxmFMKZpqET7xn_kpf6F3PPAA4qV_kGohcG1_1WpQ1dnV4iMaRnd8fgIaLmLvreJ99TLajwvUObYpM3MOhB63jwHaDXce-Ul9HMgZLOMLNiwsuGglHlGulYpeNUaypHgT/s1600/DSC01848.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu501ApCZmoQNPxmFMKZpqET7xn_kpf6F3PPAA4qV_kGohcG1_1WpQ1dnV4iMaRnd8fgIaLmLvreJ99TLajwvUObYpM3MOhB63jwHaDXce-Ul9HMgZLOMLNiwsuGglHlGulYpeNUaypHgT/s400/DSC01848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729482208745412706" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >View of engineer's desktop controls and panel, taken from center seat.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwErqvv3haOFLfYkZx2Ph1qZWNrZYsTyq482OcHbDgRxFFsopl6I55VQisiysSDte4wKokbAQ47WY-dCTR4xC0-Sa-jvBayFHfqCvaQWGWFBlMckSs6Rd-j14OB0NsH6GVJ_dtnDgQOs/s1600/DSC01847.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSwErqvv3haOFLfYkZx2Ph1qZWNrZYsTyq482OcHbDgRxFFsopl6I55VQisiysSDte4wKokbAQ47WY-dCTR4xC0-Sa-jvBayFHfqCvaQWGWFBlMckSs6Rd-j14OB0NsH6GVJ_dtnDgQOs/s400/DSC01847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729482201140609266" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Same, with clipboard and engineer's paper towel "reminder," given to him from Dispatcher 74.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNOOp8NKlHiK_cT1oIIU4lUimkeqq5hCpLMIpvZpo0j8meP7UlzXogn2_Wcj21_D4u1mX024EyNGECn74aizRqXK0E4A32WX-qTGIpanyrwhaUaKnM3RcF91ak84UYlkYvrbi5TE7eA7B/s1600/DSC01846.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNOOp8NKlHiK_cT1oIIU4lUimkeqq5hCpLMIpvZpo0j8meP7UlzXogn2_Wcj21_D4u1mX024EyNGECn74aizRqXK0E4A32WX-qTGIpanyrwhaUaKnM3RcF91ak84UYlkYvrbi5TE7eA7B/s400/DSC01846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729482191188431154" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Overall view of co-engineer position, from engineer's seat.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR_WNiiUtKuJr6HbsiiR8pTTelwKdZU3BQMUKZ5dJYjAFsPF71rVV1NIuu00WpBBgmZIIS8HELxdze0zJx1y6XhqUqd729KyH4TMuuPfBnTJpCfi-YLtA3uC8PZqJ9gcKWjstAAzidhhC/s1600/DSC01849.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR_WNiiUtKuJr6HbsiiR8pTTelwKdZU3BQMUKZ5dJYjAFsPF71rVV1NIuu00WpBBgmZIIS8HELxdze0zJx1y6XhqUqd729KyH4TMuuPfBnTJpCfi-YLtA3uC8PZqJ9gcKWjstAAzidhhC/s400/DSC01849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729482215747122962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >Looking directly out the front of GE Genesis P42DC Amtrak locomotive #100, from the engineer's seat. This is what the engineer sees, fifteen feet above the track ahead.<br /></span></div><br /><br />Please enjoy, read the captions, and click on each photograph to enlarge for detail.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">MP154</span>Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-34446366430490427592012-03-04T17:35:00.010-08:002012-03-04T18:48:02.209-08:00Amtrak: A Rainy Day For California Zephyr's #6<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Tk1QIoHoEMo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="269" width="470"></iframe><br /><br />There hasn't been a terrific amount of snow where I live this year, and the rainfall has also been lacking of sorts.<br /><br />That said, I went out trainchasing in the rain recently, and captured an Amtrak and then a UP freight in a number of locations.<br /><br />Above, you can see Amtrak's California Zephyr, the #6 eastbound, passing Carpenter Road (east of Colfax) on its way towards the Long Ravine bridge (spanning Interstate 80) and thence to "round Cape Horn."<br /><br />On point is #9, a <a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Genesis">GE Genesis</a> DC-driven P42B passenger locomotive manufactured in 1996, brimming with 4,200 horsepower. If you stop the video at 0:54 seconds, you can clearly see that prior damage to the front cowl of this locomotive has been repaired and, then, quite poorly repainted with a lighter blue color, over the right side sand fill door.<br /><br />In number two position is Amtrak #84, another DC-driven GE P42B locomotive with 4,200 hp and manufactured in 1997.<br /><br />Directly behind is the baggage car with, for whatever reason, its starboard door wide open. I didn't see any Amtrak personnel gazing out; I can only hope that whatever bags and materiel went in didn't somehow magically evacuate in a left curve during the trek.<br /><br />As I took more videos, the rain quickened and deepened.<br /><br />Coming up:<br /><br />You can find some videos and photographs around the internet of various freight locomotive cab interiors. I've already published a few interiors here of UP freight cabs. More to come, by the way.<br /><br />How frequently, however, do you find photos or videos of the cabs of Amtrak trains? Go ahead and Google (or via your favorite search engine) AMTRAK CAB. You don't find much. Or try GE GENESIS CAB INTERIOR and see what you get. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> [</span>Oddly enough, you get a few of my somewhat unrelated photographs from prior posts!<span style="font-weight: bold;">]</span><br /><br />As I write this, I am also uploading high-resolution photographs to my next post detailing my invitation into a GE Genesis locomotive cab as it waited for track clearance near Secret Town. If you want to see detailed photographs -- available nowhere else -- of a GE P42 interior, please stay tuned.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">MP154</span><br /><br />P.S.<br />Go <a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://youtu.be/IwflzUCep10">here</a> for some nice GE P42 sounds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaNFFHCiXYi15swZhywJfn67sruGt_g9LuaLxyCpbyV76BolAzTBIKWlYcR3UqBZ7WxmHzpuKqI8pmc4FteIq0olzaD5iXgxK8WAgyuyANQxOyCjtR37oBq3aRCeZTcTiVbM10hwZehYr/s1600/DSC05583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaNFFHCiXYi15swZhywJfn67sruGt_g9LuaLxyCpbyV76BolAzTBIKWlYcR3UqBZ7WxmHzpuKqI8pmc4FteIq0olzaD5iXgxK8WAgyuyANQxOyCjtR37oBq3aRCeZTcTiVbM10hwZehYr/s400/DSC05583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716238295827247458" border="0" /></a>Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041552085657689520.post-79458488123866637542012-02-06T11:54:00.000-08:002012-02-06T19:02:20.490-08:00UP 7732 East, & Another Train Meet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfpSoFJwlzxjh7ghYIDj_XYLyYqPLccCGf0JwfmbWH7PH56ZdDaIYoxK-YQiC4NPCn9EfEdyHfpYjUvk7_Kn9GYf8xxDoIKJQyWFVhW1bEzd-ZkQR1_Z15WSRuIzar41t5TUFtp_DRsr/s1600/UP+7732+East+Video-A.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfpSoFJwlzxjh7ghYIDj_XYLyYqPLccCGf0JwfmbWH7PH56ZdDaIYoxK-YQiC4NPCn9EfEdyHfpYjUvk7_Kn9GYf8xxDoIKJQyWFVhW1bEzd-ZkQR1_Z15WSRuIzar41t5TUFtp_DRsr/s400/UP+7732+East+Video-A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706117202431789522" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:85%;" >In a still from the video, UP 5646, a Distributed Power Unit (DPU or "dupe") pushes in Run 8, sanding like crazy (watch the video as this unit passes) as UP 3798 West rounds the curve from the left, in time for a perfect locomotive-to-locomotive train meet. </span><br /><br />I'd like to write that capturing this train meet involved nothing but skill, but that would be quite inaccurate. It was predominantly luck and timing:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/apbxlXDDQEE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="269" width="470"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:85%;" >Again, this HD Flip Slide video is best enjoyed fully expanded in YouTube, and with headphones.</span><br /><br />A bit more information for you:<br /><br />I followed UP 7732 East up from Colfax, and decided I'd try to capture it from a long, distant curve to a straight at an open crossing.<br /><br />I had yet to purchase my Flip HD with image stabilization, and instead shot this on a Flip Slide HD cam, which has a small tele option. I'd not used it before, and decided to "zoom" slightly to capture the initial approach. As you can see, this was a pretty bad idea, as the Flip Slide doesn't provide an actual optical telephoto option (small as it is), but instead uses the cheaper route: it merely enlarges the pixels and blurs the image. My bad.<br /><br />On point is UP 7732, a 2007 GE C45ACCTE with 4,000 hp. In second position is UP 2492<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**</span>, a 2009 SD59MX with 3,000 hp (more on this unit later). Third in line is UP 9445, the elder statesman of the group, a 1991 GE C41-8W with 4,135 hp. The train itself is a mixed manifest. Pushing at the rear is UP 5646, a 2004 C44ACCTE with 4,390 hp. As this unit passes, note the brown swirl as the sanders work heavily. Clearly, the train has slowed down and all locomotives are maxed in Run 8.<br /><br />At the 5:00 mark in the video, directly after I had panned left to capture the passing DPU, UP 3798 West comes into view, the engineer hitting its K5LLA dual-chime air horns for the unprotected crossing where I'm standing.<br /><br />Heading downhill on the #1 track, UP 3798 West is, these days, a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> unique locomotive consist, as it's comprised of <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span>-<a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD70_series">EMD SD70</a>M DC (direct current) power.<br /><br />On point, UP 3798 is a 2004 SD70M, one of 94 such DC-traction motor-powered units purchased by UP, with 4,000 hp. Second is UP 4079, one of 141 such SD70M DC units purchased by UP in 2000 with 4,000 hp. Third in line is UP 4340, one of 420 such SD70M DC units purchased in 2001 with 4,000 hp. This is a double-stack train with no rear units.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**</span>Finally, a note about UP 2492, one unit in a <span style="font-style: italic;">very limited</span> and unique rebuild program supported by Union Pacific.<br /><br />UP 2492 is a <span style="font-style: italic;">former</span> <a style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD60">EMD SD60</a>M C-truck DC 3,800 hp unit (introduced in 1984), which was upgraded in 2009. These units were resurrected for continued (and slightly cheaper) power with more eco-friendly diesel prime movers, slightly degraded in overall horsepower but compensated via more efficient software and an upgraded/appropriate diesel motor with the fewest modifications required to achieve that emissions goal.<br /><br />Union Pacific calls this unit a SD59MX, and EMD calls it the SD59M-2. Part of the UP SD-32ECO program, these are upgraded units with 12-cylinder diesel engines in compliance with Tier 2 environmental/air mandates. Their horsepower, however, has been <span style="font-style: italic;">down</span>graded to 3,000 hp. The bottom line rules: this is an attempt to see if upgrading older units with newer prime movers and electronics/software, on an older chassis, will yield greater efficiencies as contrasted to brand new units. From <a href="http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2010/03/Union%20Pacific%20SD60Ms%20delivered%20to%20EMD%20for%20repowering%20program.aspx">TrainsMag.com</a> in 2010:<br /><blockquote>LONDON, Ont. — Electro-Motive Diesel has received 10 out-of-service Union Pacific SD60Ms for its 710ECO repowering program. Industry sources indicate they are to be designated SD59M-2s, and are being fitted with a 12N-710G3B-T2 engine.<br /><br />The locomotive will be rated at 3,000 traction horsepower, meaning they'll generate enough horsepower to apply 3,000 hp to actual pulling. Upgrades will include the EM2000 microprocessor and crashworthy fuel tanks.<br /><br />The units, sent to London at the end of 2009, are expected to be delivered to Union Pacific's Proviso Yard in Chicago this summer. Their road numbers have yet to be determined.</blockquote><br />One captured, by my video, in service.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 255, 153);">MP154</span>Milepost 154http://www.blogger.com/profile/05844522510412100574noreply@blogger.com4