Coal Empties and Loads meet under a stormy fall sky

This ex-CP SD40-2 is living out a second career on the DM+E in the Midwest

Lightning was striking all around, as another trio of SD70MAC's lead an empty coal train through the town of Crawford, and back to the Powder River Basin.

A brace of older power, 2 BN SD40-2's, and 3 ATSF C30-7's, struggle up the grades of Crawford Hill. 4 SD40-2's are pushing hard on the rear, otherwise this train would have no chance at all of mak... (more)

Notice the Helper set above the head end power. One more SD60M is behind the hill.

Helper set was added to the front after BNSF SD70Mac 9951 failed.

Helper set was put on the front and rear of this train because BNSF SD70Mac 9951 failed.

Acting as the rearend DPU, BNSF 9934 follows 132 UCEX hoppers down Crawford hill

A BNSF P train with one set of the Crawford helpers added to the point makes good time nearing the summit of Crawford Hill

A BNSF manifest train coasts down Crawford Hill

A BNSF coal load nears the summit of Crawford Hill (129 loads @ 17,158 tons)

A coal empty headed for Bel Air mine coasts down Crawford hill meets a JECX load headed up the grade

This coal load is just starting the 1.55% grade up Crawford Hill.

Boeing Airplane Loads are shipped from Wichita, KS to the final assembly plant near Seattle, WA

A loaded coal drag makes it's way toward Crawford Hill.