An interesting load you can model

[lock4244]

Go to 6:56, not something you see every day.

[signalmaintainer]

Manned helper too. I miss those days.

[lock4244]

Manned helper too. I miss those days.

I only made two trips to the west slope, 1997 and 1999 (and in 1995 the east slope), but was there for a week each time and never saw a single unit helper. Only pairs of SD45-2's or SD40-2's. That solo SD has real a Sand Patch vibe to it.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

I only made two trips to the west slope, 1997 and 1999 (and in 1995 the east slope), but was there for a week each time and never saw a single unit helper. Only pairs of SD45-2's or SD40-2's. That solo SD has real a Sand Patch vibe to it.

Yeah, the single unit helper was quite rare, and I agree, that has a Sand Patch vibe.  What you saw on your visits was typical (3 and 4 unit sets were also a good bit more common than rare, but pairs were the mainstay).

Also, I want to believe that's a C&I 50 ton offset hopper at 1:24 (but I suspect it's a 3 bay 70 tonner).

And those G52Ls starting around 2:30/2:40 are just about brand spanking new.

Good stuff.

[Canadian-Atlantic]

Lots of variety compared to today's unit trains. I wonder if that Chessie unit got a second life after that ride?

[lock4244]

Lots of variety compared to today's unit trains. I wonder if that Chessie unit got a second life after that ride?

A little internet sleuthing, CSXT 6197 was originally B&O 4298. The link below shows it in 1990 at Huntington still wrecked, and in 2008 still at Huntington and still wrecked. Seems it never ran again.

http://rrpicturearchives.net/LocoPicture.aspx?id=100949

[Canadian-Atlantic]

Funny it hung around that long even as a parts source.