Jeff Smith Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 My journey to the airport in Atlanta on rapid transit parallels a twin running track line north out of Atlanta. There are a number of loops in one section which are often used for holding stock. I have also seen the daily Amtrak northbound train on these lines. Today there were two northbound freight trains with locomotives, both stationary on both running lines. Why would this be? Could it possibly be just used for northbound running, or what? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Lines could be bi-directional and, at the time you saw them, both lines were being used for northbounds. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 They were only stationary?? You should see 'em at speed ..... https://youtu.be/5ZN5tYIBvlA Double track lines can be signalled for bi-directional running, so if there's more traffic in one direction than the other, it can be shifted quicker on two tracks..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2865 Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Its fun standing on a ground level island platform and have two freight trains pass at line speed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 They were only stationary?? You should see 'em at speed ..... Double track lines can be signalled for bi-directional running, so if there's more traffic in one direction than the other, it can be shifted quicker on two tracks..... WOW, I never see them going at that sort of speed around Atlanta....amazing how they were so synchronised, and level at the rear.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 WOW, I never see them going at that sort of speed around Atlanta....amazing how they were so synchronised, and level at the rear.... .... and the way the second train still blew for the grade crossing when it was already occupied by the first... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 .... and the way the second train still blew for the grade crossing when it was already occupied by the first... It must be in the Rule Book.....! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 You should see what happens in Nebraska. I drove alongside the line there about twenty years ago, and there was a continuous procession of enormous coal trains all going in the same direction. I never saw any moving in the opposite direction. I suspect they were running the entire line in opposite directions on alternate days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Not quite. You should see what happens in Nebraska. I drove alongside the line there about twenty years ago, and there was a continuous procession of enormous coal trains all going in the same direction. I never saw any moving in the opposite direction. I suspect they were running the entire line in opposite directions on alternate days. Not quite. At least in Wyoming, they have enough tracks to run both ways - Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 A lot of multiple tracks are bi-di. You should see them at speed from the inside. CheersDavid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 A lot of multiple tracks are bi-di. You should see them at speed from the inside. Cheers David Love it!! A good old F-Unit whipping the @ss off more modern power!! ....okay so it most likely wasn't hauling a long double-stacker.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Love it!! A good old F-Unit whipping the @ss off more modern power!! It's the Illinois Railway Museum's magnificently restored E5A Silver Pilot hauling their articulated Nebraska Zephyr set. This clip shows the same train and some signals for bi-di running. Cheers David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 You should see what happens in Nebraska. I drove alongside the line there about twenty years ago, and there was a continuous procession of enormous coal trains all going in the same direction. I never saw any moving in the opposite direction. I suspect they were running the entire line in opposite directions on alternate days. There are no lines the UP operates directionally on alternating days (intentionally). Depends on where you are and what is going on. In certain areas we use two parallel routes as "two main tracks" and run one direction on one and the other direction on the other. For example between Houston and Dexter, Mo (SE tip of Missouri) the UP operating mostly south on the former SSW/SP and mostly north on the former MP. Between Kansas City and Ft Worth, the UP runs mostly North on the former MP and mostly south on the former MKT. East from Kansas City to Jefferson City, the UP operates east on the River Sub and west on the Sedalia Sub. In Nebraska if is mostly bi-direcctional. Between Kansas City and Marysville, KS, the UP operates empty coal trains north on the Falls City Sub and west on the Hiawatha. Loaded coal trains run east on the Kansas Sub. Between Denver and N Platte, loaded coal trains run east, empties return via the Sharon Springs Sub (the "KP" route). Sometimes we will run empty coal trains from Julesburg north on the Yoder Sub to S. Morril and then loaded trains between S Morrill and N Platte. The line between N Platte and Gibbon Junction is now triple track and has a capacity of over 200 trains a day, each 8000 ft long. 120-150 trains a day is typical. From Gibbon Jct its double track to Chicago and to St. Louis. From N Platte west to O'Fallons its 4 main tracks and then double track to Granger and Salt Lake. If there was track maintenance on the coal lines (not unusual) there might be a hold on loaded trains coming off the coal ine but the empties would continue back to N Platte. Each of those coal trains was between 115 and 150 cars and could weigh upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 tons. They would have had 3 or 4 4400 hp AC C-C engines (mostly GE's) and there would be 25-35 in each direction each day. The BNSF has a roughly parallel line that goes up to the top end of the Power River Basin that handles a bit more coal but less other commodities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Love it!! A good old F-Unit whipping the @ss off more modern power!! ....okay so it most likely wasn't hauling a long double-stacker.... $1000 revenue passing $100,000 revenue. 8-) It is an E-unit, an E-5, notable for its corrugated stainless steel sides designed to match the stainless steel cars. A custom unit only bought by the CB&Q. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 When two of us drove across the USA in 2012 we followed the UP main line from SF to Chicago. As we approached rawlins (Wyomng) we noticed several eastbound freights in sidings (usially in the centre between the main tracks in that area.) When we got to Rawlins two double stacks were being refuelled. Within a couple of minuytes they both set off westbound towards Reen River, running parallel. They were certainly travelling at speed before the last cars passed us. It was a fabulous sight. They mst have been what a crew member we spoke to in Cheyenne referred to as Z or god trains. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bok Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think what you may be seeing is two main tracks, signaled for either direction in CTC territory. Barry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The UP is CTC two main tracks, roughly Cheyenne to Chicago There are still pockets of double track rule 9.15 current of traffic between Cheyenne and Granger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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