Based on non-scientific observation, I'm curious whether BNSF is having a power shortage. In the last week, I've seen a manifest with two NS units, then today a coal empty with a TFM unit (if only the camera had been closer and I hadn't been going 45 the other way at the time!) Both of these were on the joint line in Fountain, just south of Colorado Springs.
It seems all the railroads are short on power......or are they? I've wondered if railroads are starting to treat locomotives like freight cars. Don't worry about keeping them on home rails. Saves time to send the whole train with units and everything intact, they'll make their way back east.
Likely that the RR's are short on power, but more probable that the foreign units are paying back 'horsepower hours' to BNSF. Say a BNSF freight interchanges with NS,a nd the BNSF power stays on the train. An NS unit will likely lead, but the BNSF units will run-thru. The NS units seen on BNSF are likely running thru as well.
It's a combination of the two. The TFM SD 70 MAC units are on long term lease. They have been equipped with BNSF compatible DP radio equipment so they can be utilized to the fullest extent. The NS and CSX units are being used to run off miles owed to the BNSF because BNSF power is being used by NS and CSX to deliver coal to power plants along and near the east coast of the United States.
I agree it is probably power payback... I am seeing more BNSF run-thru power on NS lately. It does seem like some of the big RR's are still power-short, but they are getting help from leasers... Harold
All I know is, there is TOO MUCH NS power on our railroad. I happen to favor our BNSF power...comfortable seats, radio hand sets, and most of all a WORKING refridgerator! I can't believe UP uses ice buckets...The biggest railroad in the USA and they can't put a refridgerator on the units. Nothing like putting in a 18 or 20 hour day (12 hrs is the max for working but the railroad moves freight better than it picks up it's dead crews) going for that sandwich only to find it is drenched! CN would have the best units for crew comforts if they had AC. Nothing worse than seeing a CN unit in the lead on a hot summer day. I had a CN unit the other day and thanks to the microwave, I had hot green tea for 12 hours. I will praise BNSF for a crew friendly cab and good drinking water. [ October 22, 2005, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Don Rickle ]
