At Horseshoe Curve this past weekend

Run-through power. Happens a lot these days.

Lucky you.

What do you mean by run through power?

Power, i.e. diesel units, that start out on a Union Pacific train out of, say Los Angeles, and runs through Chicago and on to, say New Jersey terminals. Thus, the units "run through".

My correct question should have been how does an engine get that far off it's own "turf"? Sorry for the newb question.

It keeps running east. Its a waste of time and effort to switch power if the train is continuing onward. So it just "runs through". Like rich said, it's pretty common. If a train is made in California, and is scheduled all the way to new jersey, then it stays as assembled and goes. 

Look on YouTube, there's plenty of videos of Norfolk Southern in California as well, running coast to coast stack trains.

Every time I drive past Enola yard on 15, there's UP units hanging around 

Diesels can run from one railroad to another across the country today . That is more efficient than keeping them on "home rails" and handing off their trains to other diesels. Railroads have contracts about "sharing mileage" on their own diesels. Also specified are fuel costs and any repairs en route.

 

A "home road" diesel is usually in the lead. The crew is familiar with the route. Trailing diesels are under controlled by the crew in the lead unit. They have no crews of their own.

In the steam era, each steam locomotive had its own crew. There was no way to automate throttle settings, firing, keeping adequate water in the boiler, and taking on fuel (coal or oil) and water. Generally, steam locomotives had to stop for service every 100 to 150 miles. Some railroads had "pool service" in those days but there was no big advantage economically. It was usually a matter of convenience.

 

Diesels changed all that. MU ("multiple unit") diesels (MU consists) controlled by one crew in the lead unit made "pool service" practical and economical. Diesels can run hundreds of miles and servicing is accomplished quickly.

 

Don't be sorry for a newbie question. That's how we learn. Everbody on this Forum learns something sooner or later.

the 'Ethanol' train from the midwest usually has a UP engine in it's consist when it runs through here on the Port Reading Secondary, with a NS or CSX on the point. Run-through power.

Louis do you remember about when this picture was taken? The reason I am asking is because I was in Cove, Pa. Saturday afternoon. I saw a train with I believe the same power set.

 

Bill

I took the picture at about 11:51AM on Saturday (9/1).

Thank you. Yeah, it was a few hours later when I saw it. Cool coincidence.

 

Bill

in the case of the above photo, the "home road engine" is there so the crew has cab signals in the lead engine.not sure, but i think cab signal territory starts east of cleveland,oh. i hope this wasn't too much info.-jim

About 10 years ago I was in Ocean Springs MS at a night H.S. football game and a multi-unit diesel came by and among the engines was a shiny Santa Fe Warbonnet Dash 9 or similar. I didn't know my prototype engines at all then but remember how pretty it was having never seen a real Warbonnet engine down south.

Actually, I've STILL not seen a 'real' Warbonnet in person...