Comments on: After meeting 235 at Wolverton, 244 flies through Orrs Lake with a pair of UP Gevos and 3 autoracks.

By: Jacob Patterson

Jacob Patterson — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 18:12:39 +0000

Interesting. Thanks for the info gentlemen.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:58:26 +0000

@Larry. I agree with what you are saying. I have run SW1200RS’s and Sweeps and well as other smaller units. I have found the ride is always smoother with cars attached. There is far less “hunting” of the trucks when running with cars.

By: Larry Parks

Larry Parks — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:12:45 +0000

I have never worked with today’s modern units or when at work no opportunity came to ride in a GP or SD40 light engine very far. So I cannot comment on those from experience. I did many sifts peddling grain hoppers with 1300′s. I found they travelled much better with a train than light engine. There was not much CWR then either, even the 1300′s would travel much smoother on that I would imagine.

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 02:55:09 +0000

@Larry and Jacob. I am told it actually has to do with the braking and stopping distance,
A single engine is restricted to 30mph. Two units 50mph, but if you have 3 units you can do track speed.
Larry there is some truth in what you said about the wheels banging from side to side. That does happen on occasion. I have found it depends on the location and type of track

By: Larry Parks

Larry Parks — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 06:13:58 +0000

As there has been no reply yet, I will give it a go.
Light engines, as the speed increases, tend to develop much lateral movement. Banging side to side on the rails. With some resistive weight to the rear, the units will settle down and pull straighter. Akin to having feathers at the rear of an arrow. Just that little bit of resistance at the back makes the arrow fly much truer.
And Brian, nice shot.

By: Jacob Patterson

Jacob Patterson — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 00:04:02 +0000

@ngineered4u, Why the restriction when running light?

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 20:12:55 +0000

Not sure the CP rules, but its always good to have even one car with you when operating a train. On CN two units running light are restricted to 50MPH but if you have even one freight car you can do track speed!