|
Caption: We knew when these leasers arrived on CN, there'd be a chance some of these rent a wrecks might end up in the lead - usually the wrecks are trailing only but a few slip the cracks in the lead. When they do, you've gotta stand up, for it could be quite rare. GECX 9130, ex UP 9369 leading M394 with 12,000 foot of train and 724 axles, climbing the grade at 18 MPH. With a train this heavy and power so 'tenuous' DI RTC made darn sure 394 had clear signals all the way up the Halton sub and no opposition - holding 385 at Stewarttown. With thanks to Clint-o aka Loose Cannon for the heads up at Paris, I was able to time it for my lunch break. The time is 12:45 PM. Here's to many more.
|
Nice. Let’s hope it’s not the last!
Rare indeed. More than likely its equipped with all the accoutrements that it needs to lead..ie stretcher, first aid kit, crew packs. Doubtful it has a hot plate or mircowave and UP units never had working fridges in their cabs (ice buckets). Great shot Stephen.
Sweet catch! Looks better then the blue one I got trailing a couple hours later
Well, the thing is I’ve never really liked lease units. The only time I really go for them is if they are really unique (Like something really rare – a CNW patch for example) or leading, otherwise I just run into them and I’m OK with that
Apparently an ex CSX led a few days ago but in darkness – so they are trickling through.
Compare to the CP lease period of 2004-2006 – remember those yellow CEFX sd’s? They led once in Canada ex Sarnia to London. I said they’d never lead and I was proven wrong – invariably something will slip the cracks and I learned my lesson.
Same with the DME/ICE – union didn’t want them leading,but they trickled through
And I got ‘em leading three times.
So, Phil, if you received a train with one of these leading, lacking the union agreed to items – as you pointed out, would you insist on rearranging the leader? Or..?
@Stephen, remember this is railroading we are talking about. Over my 36 years I have learned not to ever say “never say never” . I would just say “I’ll believe it when I see it”
@Snake, well the union does have rules about foreign power in the lead being properly equipped.
If for instance the train came from the US through Sarnia or another gateway and a foreign unit was leading I have heard of the crew switching around the consist. These days it might be unlikely as it could cost a delay to the train.
If the consist comes off the shop that is a different story because the agreement states CN units must lead off the shop track unless unforeseen circumstances make that impossible. If that is the case the company is supposed to let the crew know prior to calling time that a foreign unit is leading and then also provide then crew with a meal or an opportunity to stop for a hot meal since there would be no microwave or hot plate in the foreign unit. This unit would still have to be outfitted with certain things to let it lead..ie stretcher, crew pack,first aid kit, water, etc.
In my case, being a crazy foamer, I was a very happy camper when I got a foreign unit in the lead. It made my day..lol and if i had a chance I would broadcast on the radio to the railfans to get their cameras ready. If i was headed east I would call my buddies at Georges Trains so they would be camera ready when I rolled by the store. Great memories!!
I must say, I really do not like the GECX units. At least this one had a yellow patch
. They held him at halwest for over 6 hours, they took a SD70M-2 from BIT and threw it on the front (8947), I have no idea why they would do this because Mac is less than 20 miles from halwest. Nice shot nonetheless!
Apparently, according to radio chatter 9130 blew up and threw a piston. This train killed it
Nice Pic Steve. YB Controls the Halton Sub east of Tansley…DI has Copetown West to Tappan as well as the Stamford and Grimsby Subs…PRH
I can’t keep it straight anymore, thanks PRH. Who does Tansley-Copetown then?
@Stephen, that would be YO.
@RLK..lol retirement has dulled my brain. What portion of the track does DS control
About a week ago with CN 550 in Hamilton doing it’s thing and SOR coming out of the hole, apparently, SOR called YO for a light out and YO Gave it.. stranding CN who was in the middle of a movement east (toward Niagara side) Hamilton Junction on the Grimsby sub.
SOR took forever and a day to come out, 550 toned the RTC for a light wondering what the delay was, which DI had to take away from SOR and confirm first, then DI goes on the radio to scold SOR for calling the wrong RTC for the initial call causing the confusion.
At least, based on what I saw and what you gents noted for territories this is what I believe happened, but I’m no railroader and I certainly don’t know the desk territories. I’d like to know though. If I took notes I’d figure it out but I don’t
Thank you again for the clarification all.
Well…it’s complicated. I’ll try to explain it.
DI Controls:
The Grimsby Sub
The Stamford Sub
The Dundas Sub from Copetown West to London
Strathroy Sub
Fling Sub from Port Huron to Tappan
Chatham Sub (CN owned portion)
CASO Sub
Note: The plant at Hamilton is owned by DI, but the DS or YO RTC (depending on who is controlling it at the time) can also line signals at Hamilton. If a slow order needed to be placed in the plant at Hamilton, DI would need to protect it.
DS Controls:
Oakville Sub from Burlington East to Hamilton
Halton Sub from Tansley to Burlington West
Dundas Sub from Bayview to Copetown West
Weston Sub from Strachan to Airway
Pearson Sub
DS is only manned on weekdays from 0700-1000 and 1400 ish until 1900 ish. I’m not sure of the exact hours these days.
YO Controls:
Oakville Sub from Bathurst Street to Burlington East (as well as connecting tracks between Fort York and Scott Street)
When DS is not manned, it is combined into the YO Job.
YB controls:
Halton Sub from MacMillan Yard to Tansley
York Sub between Liverpool and MacMillan Yard
Bala Sub between Glencrest and Setter
YQ Controls:
Kingston Sub between Pickering jct and Cherry Street
York Sub Pickering Jct to Liverpool
GO Sub
Uxbridge Sub
Bala Sub from Don to Glencrest
Newmarket Sub from Parkdale to Allandale
Note: Montreal controls everything east of Pickering Jct on the Kingston Sub. YQ “owns” the plant there.
At all of the hand over points between RTC desks, either one can request signals in either direction, but only 1 of the RTC’s protect GBO’s and are technically in “control” of the plant.
Got all that?
PRH
LOL, yes i remember now. Thank goodness I only had to talk to them one at a time
Thank you RLK.