1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Union Pacific Question

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by roycpa, Mar 26, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. roycpa

    roycpa High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    758
    Location:
    Central Illinois
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    105
    Not sure where to post this, so this option seemed best. Sitting in our room at Main Street Station all week, we have noticed that all the trains have locomotives at the front and also a pusher locomotive at the end where the caboose used to be. Is this something new? Is it only for mountainous areas? I haven't noticed this in the Midwest.
    I'm sure a VMB'r will know!
     
  2. IxAccDnf

    IxAccDnf VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,748
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    85
    Ive started seeing it in the midwest
     
  3. IxAccDnf

    IxAccDnf VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,748
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    85
    A quick search said it was to have the proper slack for the train
     
  4. roycpa

    roycpa High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    758
    Location:
    Central Illinois
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    105
    I'll have to pay more attention, I guess!
     
  5. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2015
    Messages:
    11,271
    Location:
    The Island
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    It takes a well trained eye to notice! :D

    I miss the tracks that used to go through my hometown.
    Waving :wave: at the engineers and hobos as they rode on by the school playground...

    Those were the days!

    RICHARD
     
  6. IxAccDnf

    IxAccDnf VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,748
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    85
    On a freight line not far from my home I somtimes see an engine in the middle of the train
     
  7. wormhole

    wormhole VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2010
    Messages:
    1,460
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    In years past, I saw coal trains in the hills of SE Ohio that would have 4or 5 engines at the front and 4 or 5 in the middle. They were coming out of eastern KY and the WV mountains.
     
  8. gilly from philly

    gilly from philly Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    Messages:
    373
    Location:
    Ponte Vedra, Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    It is known as distributed power. It reduces slack action on the train, and permits heaver trains with less horsepower, which saves fuel and reduces the amount of locomotives needed. Its advantages really show in the mountains, however it does provide some small advantages in the plains.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.