Good catch, Steve! This ECP test train has gone past me about a half-dozen times now in the past month or so and I've missed it every time!
By the way, noting the tables are empty, and it appears the train is going south... isn't this the ISEOA?
|
The trains have been running as the ISEOAE, the second E meaning 'electric' for the brake system. My Road Foreman indicated once the testing was complete the train would go into storage pending disposition. They wanted to store it in Seattle, but we don't have room for it. One of the interesting aspects, at least on the Seattle Sub, has been the simple fact that with fuel-efficient train handling (read: dynamic braking versus stretch braking), the technology has seen little or no use, especially on the empty southbound repo move. I am of the opinion the technology is best suited for unit trains (grain, coal, potash, etc.). It's not going to work on manifest cars, as the cost of refitting the entire North American fleet is prohibitive; not to mention the fact that most short-line and regional carriers will not have their own locomotives outfitted with the technology.
|
Nice shot Steve, and congrats on catching the special train too! Dramatic sky too...
> UP's bridge is one of three railroad bridges over the river.
There are four railroad bridges over the Puyallup. You were within sight of three, UP, Tacoma Rail and BNSF's bridge to the tideflats and Tacoma Rail. The fourth bridge is a bit further upstream, where the BNSF double track mainline crosses the river at Sumner.
|
|