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Video - UP Cheyenne Frontier Days Train last weekend

Tranz4mrTranz4mrOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by jethat:
In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..
 

 I don't have time to map it but doesn't the line from Greeley south to Denver generally follow the South Platte river upstream to Denver? If so that would make the grade positive for that portion unless water flows upstream at the "high" altitudes of Colorado.

 

J jethatOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by jethat:

In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..

You might want to go back and check that grade profile again, between Cheyenne and Denver. Also, as I recall the 3985 had a diesel MUed for additional power on that circus train (thus having over 10,000HP), plus they didn't have to maintain a 70+ MPH passenger schedule.

I've heard they didn't use the diesel but I don't know..

HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Tranz4mr:
Originally Posted by jethat:
In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..
 

 I don't have time to map it but doesn't the line from Greeley south to Denver generally follow the South Platte river upstream to Denver? If so that would make the grade positive for that portion unless water flows upstream at the "high" altitudes of Colorado.

 

Bingo. From Cheyenne to Speer Jct, it is definitely up-grade. Then from Speer southward it is down grade to some town north of Greeley. Then from Greeley, all the way into Denver it is up-grade.

J jethatOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by Tranz4mr:
Originally Posted by jethat:
In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..
 

 I don't have time to map it but doesn't the line from Greeley south to Denver generally follow the South Platte river upstream to Denver? If so that would make the grade positive for that portion unless water flows upstream at the "high" altitudes of Colorado.

 

Bingo. From Cheyenne to Speer Jct, it is definitely up-grade. Then from Speer southward it is down grade to some town north of Greeley. Then from Greeley, all the way into Denver it is up-grade.

Well I was simply speculating as to why 3985 was able to pull such a large train allegedly by itself when the "math" says it may not be practical.. I have no idea the grade. Suppose that makes 3985's effort more impressive.

 

HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by jethat:
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by Tranz4mr:
Originally Posted by jethat:
In 2010 3985 pulled the 100+ car BB circus train by itself to Denver. According to the math 3985 must be about 75,000 Hp!. Of course if factored in the grade a minus one all down hill.. In witch case 4-6,000 hp might maybe be enough..
 

 I don't have time to map it but doesn't the line from Greeley south to Denver generally follow the South Platte river upstream to Denver? If so that would make the grade positive for that portion unless water flows upstream at the "high" altitudes of Colorado.

 

Bingo. From Cheyenne to Speer Jct, it is definitely up-grade. Then from Speer southward it is down grade to some town north of Greeley. Then from Greeley, all the way into Denver it is up-grade.

Well I was simply speculating as to why 3985 was able to pull such a large train allegedly by itself when the "math" says it may not be practical.. I have no idea the grade. Suppose that makes 3985's effort more impressive.

 

Impressive yes, even with that big 4400HP GE six axle unit MUed with her, which by the way, was also making some noise.

HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by jethat:

I have read when the BB circus train arrived in Cheyenne they removed 5 Diesels.

 

Well, the circus train didn't actually "arrive in Cheyenne". The train came from the west, and stopped a Speer Jct, which is the top of the grade southbound to Greeley, CO, where the 5 diesel units were removed. Prior to the trains early morning arrival, the 3985, with the big GE MUed, departed the Cheyenne Steam Shop, and move "light" up-grade to Speer, and waited for the circus train.

 

I also read Steve Lee didn't want a diesel in the consist at all but the BB people were concerned so one was added.

 

Not true.

 

I read they never used it at all..

 

Again, not true. The diesel was used, in power, in order to "get the train up to speed" when departing Greeley.

 

J jethatOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by jethat:

I have read when the BB circus train arrived in Cheyenne they removed 5 Diesels.

 

Well, the circus train didn't actually "arrive in Cheyenne". The train came from the west, and stopped a Speer Jct, which is the top of the grade southbound to Greeley, CO, where the 5 diesel units were removed. Prior to the trains early morning arrival, the 3985, with the big GE MUed, departed the Cheyenne Steam Shop, and move "light" up-grade to Speer, and waited for the circus train.

 

I also read Steve Lee didn't want a diesel in the consist at all but the BB people were concerned so one was added.

 

Not true.

 

I read they never used it at all..

 

Again, not true. The diesel was used, in power, in order to "get the train up to speed" when departing Greeley.

 

Well I don't believe every thing I read. Just the good exaggerations!

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