Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Digital Live Sound Video: Pusher locomotives in the flatlands of Chicago? Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2009.
I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunch break one morning, in December of 2009.
These 3 BNSF Railway locomotives working hard shoving on the rear end of this eastbound empty unit coal train, is normally one associates with mountain railroading, when heavy loads need an assisit going upgrade, or braking assistance downgrade.
This unique video was photographed from the observation porch of preserved historic tower B-12 in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. For some odd reason or another, I have witnessed both loaded and empty unit coal trains traveling around the windy city with as many as one or more helper locomotives on the rear. This may be possibly done to facilitate switching at the end of the line.
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3 comments:
Yes, Ed, out of nowhere I too have begun noticing these monster coal trains around Chicago with locos on each end.
At my home, with the Belt Railway tracks right outside my living room window, I regularly see these BNSF trains creep by, stop, and then after a short time go right back in the same direction they came from. I can't figure that out at all.
Hey Guys, these are coal trains for the Wisconsin Electric plant in Pleasant Prairie, WI. They are routed from the Powder River Basin on BNSF into Chicagoland, BRC to the CP and CP delivers to Pleasant Prairie. Hence the DPU pusher, when you see the three on the rear, its actually the front as it would head on the BNSF, they put it together that way to prevent from having to turn the train for the trip on the BNSF.
Wow!
Thanks I never knew that.
Apparently...It seams to be working.
Thank You.
Eddie K.
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