When figuring out the max tonnage for a given number of power units, does the dispatcher consider the weight of the diesels into the tonnage. I imagine it takes power for them to pull themselves up the grade. I remember my dad talking about the ruling grade for tonnage west on the c&nw.
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quote:does the dispatcher consider the weight of the diesels into the tonnage
Units are "grouped" on a specified division and district according to their series ,which will in turn show the tonnage they should be capable of pulling if they are at their maximum ability.
For example on the Pocahontas Division, an SD 70MAC is a group 6 locomotive.
And on the Kenova District a group 6 loco. is rated at 19,470 tons westward from Williamson,WV to Portsmouth,Ohio,and 9,322 tons eastward from Portsmouth to Williamson ,which is up-hill slightly, hence the reduced tonnage.
Take the same unit,a group 6 SD 70MAC eastward from Willamson to Farm,WV which is more up-hill than Portsmouth to Williamson,and the tonnage drops to 8,437.And even more from Farm to Flat Top,WV to 4,012 tons which is significantly more up-hill.
All trains have to be cleared by the Chief Dispatcher on duty that run over his/her Division,as far as power to weight configuration.
It's up to the crew of the train to notify the dispatcher if there are problems en-route with locomotives that may hamper the train from obtaining track speed or climbing a grade.
We recently have upgraded our number of "powered" axles on line here on the Pocahontas Division from 24 to 32 on solid loaded bulk commodity trains (coal,grain,etc) .
Units are "grouped" on a specified division and district according to their series ,which will in turn show the tonnage they should be capable of pulling if they are at their maximum ability.
For example on the Pocahontas Division, an SD 70MAC is a group 6 locomotive.
And on the Kenova District a group 6 loco. is rated at 19,470 tons westward from Williamson,WV to Portsmouth,Ohio,and 9,322 tons eastward from Portsmouth to Williamson ,which is up-hill slightly, hence the reduced tonnage.
Take the same unit,a group 6 SD 70MAC eastward from Willamson to Farm,WV which is more up-hill than Portsmouth to Williamson,and the tonnage drops to 8,437.And even more from Farm to Flat Top,WV to 4,012 tons which is significantly more up-hill.
All trains have to be cleared by the Chief Dispatcher on duty that run over his/her Division,as far as power to weight configuration.
It's up to the crew of the train to notify the dispatcher if there are problems en-route with locomotives that may hamper the train from obtaining track speed or climbing a grade.
We recently have upgraded our number of "powered" axles on line here on the Pocahontas Division from 24 to 32 on solid loaded bulk commodity trains (coal,grain,etc) .
Very True- Unless you're Norfolk Southern going from SW Virginia hauling coal to Norfolk for export. In that case it's ALL DOWNHILL so you have to calculate the Braking Power!!!
HA! Old Joke!
Units are "grouped" on a specified division and district according to their series ,which will in turn show the tonnage they should be capable of pulling if they are at their maximum ability.
For example on the Pocahontas Division, an SD 70MAC is a group 6 locomotive.
And on the Kenova District a group 6 loco. is rated at 19,470 tons westward from Williamson,WV to Portsmouth,Ohio,and 9,322 tons eastward from Portsmouth to Williamson ,which is up-hill slightly, hence the reduced tonnage.
Take the same unit,a group 6 SD 70MAC eastward from Willamson to Farm,WV which is more up-hill than Portsmouth to Williamson,and the tonnage drops to 8,437.And even more from Farm to Flat Top,WV to 4,012 tons which is significantly more up-hill.
All trains have to be cleared by the Chief Dispatcher on duty that run over his/her Division,as far as power to weight configuration.
It's up to the crew of the train to notify the dispatcher if there are problems en-route with locomotives that may hamper the train from obtaining track speed or climbing a grade.
We recently have upgraded our number of "powered" axles on line here on the Pocahontas Division from 24 to 32 on solid loaded bulk commodity trains (coal,grain,etc) .
Very True- Unless you're Norfolk Southern going from SW Virginia hauling coal to Norfolk for export. In that case it's ALL DOWNHILL so you have to calculate the Braking Power!!!
HA! Old Joke!
Aaahhh that's what that automatic handle is for.... 
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