Ahh ok. Going through Wyoming and through eastern Oregon, I saw quite a few UP consists, double and triple heading with one NS loco in the mixes.
It is getting to the point anymore where locomotives are interchanged as much as freight cars. We see lots of CSX, NS, CP, CN, and KCS on the UP and BNSF trains that go by here. And the KCS trains have mixed roads too.
It can indeed get confusing sometimes. Here in CO I've seen trains with NS, CSX, KCS and TFM that I can recall. I do know that many times this is the result of RR's being short power and "borrowing" from connecting roads, and then essentially owing so many HP/hours in return.
Shifty1, I must take you to task, but not in a mean way! You said you want to ask an "ignorant question"! There is no such thing as an ignorant or stupid question. We ask questions to gain knowledge. How can gaining knowledge be ignorant or stupid? So your question was a good and valid one. As the other posters have stated, in today's world of transportation, it is difficult to keep track of the players. And as was pointed out, there is quite a bit of "run thru" power out on the main lines today. As a retired railroader(BNSF), I much preferred working on our own motive power or that of CN. CN road power was kept clean and had a couple of amenities that domestic power didn't have. Other carriers liked to get our power if for no other reason than to get the drinking water the BNSF provided in the cab. Glad to have you with us on the TRAINBOARD. Charlie
I remember growing up along the B&O in the 70s, and the most unusual train combination came through one day with Southern power and an SP caboose. Now I run those same tracks, and I can have all kinds of different stuff on the head end.
I'm glad the lines use each others power. It's the only reason I've gotten to see CP or CN power lately. UP had their units on trains running through Vegas.
When the grain and oil trains were running through here one never knew which road's power would show up. Sometimes there were CP and BNSF locomotives on the same train. As was said before there is no such thing as a stupid question
We have had several of the NS "Heritage" units roll through on CSX on the crude oil trains that come off the BNSF.
Heh. I see pure CN, BNSF, UP, NS and CSX power as well as the usual mixes with a rare CP unit on the CN Leithton Sub. Also locals with GTW or EJE power. I guess it would be confusing to a new or casual observer.
Except for inside the cab. They are filthy, smelly and very unsanitary. How do I know this? I'm a conductor on the BNSF.
