Rail roads and their tracks.

[5030]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

 

[MossRoad]

Are you a fan of them?
Before you do, I took this picture a few weeks ago in the same spot. This rail was abandoned due to destruction caused a few miles away by Hurricane Agnes.
This is what it looks like, 48 years later, where the picture of the 3 men are in my previous post.

That is so cool! :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

E.Towas, MI as requested...

Pre 1998
View attachment 646490

It was still there as of 2006, but gone in next available photo in 2011. Empty field and now a small building on it's spot just off the back-left corner of the Walmart parking lot.

Isn't it East Tawas?

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad

Near us is the Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad, also know as the RR to never run. It never towed a load of ore to its docks.

Iron Range and Huron Bay Railroad - Wikipedia

Interesting story. It said they dismantled the dock and moved it elsewhere. Pretty interesting read. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

In case it breaks down and has to be towed back.

 

[5030]

In case it breaks down and has to be towed back.

Kind of what I thought but it looks.............stupid to have a Warbonnet behind the oil tender.

 

[Hay Dude]

OK Moss, tell me your guess. Who is this trio sitting on the now abandoned rails running through my little town in 1968?

 

[ArlyA]

I have a question and that is.. Why is there always a diesel-electric locomotive in the consist when a UP steamer is providing the motive power? it'a always that way and I'm curious of anyone has the answer?

Someone more knowable than I needs to answer that very good question... I noted the same thing. Might be a air shortage from the BIG boy which is used for braking or its dependability shortcomings. Does anyone else know this?

 

[bcp]

Sometimes it is to power the electric systems of the passenger cars in the train. This is most likely the case when the diesel is Amtrak. UP steam trains I've seen have their own power generating car. The diesel may also be for the latest traffic control system, etc. that the steam locomotive probably doesn't have.

Bruce

 

[Cub 7274]

I worked almost 36yrs on the RR 1976-2012 for CN
It was sad to see the decimation of the RR and it's customers by Individuals who decided that a stock holder share was worth more than a customers ability to do business with the RR depending on whether you loaded 1 or 100 cars.
The RR's gave business to the trucking industry rather than maintaining spurs or sidings it was easier to rip them out and industries closed because of it.
Now all they want is to run coast to coast with minimal stops in between and let trucks do the rest
The RR's forged the US and Canada in the beginning but sadly they are fading away to bike trails,tourist trains and Museums and still make money for the shareholder in doing so.