Rumford, So. Dak., 28 MAY'79
Two weeks after the last picture was taken, I'm held at the same place (behind the ranch crossing) and I step off the lead unit, SD40-2 7107, on my 13Y88 coal train to observe the eastbound freight #74 (Seattle to KC I believe) as it runs through the siding around us, with a hefty power set of U30c, SD40-2, U33c in the lead (5810-7110-5759.) Yes, it's in the siding. On the Alliance Division at that time, most of the 112lb. jointed rail was still in place on the main, while new, rebuilt or extended sidings got the heavier welded rail before the mainline was re-laid. The frustration of having a freight with good power was that you often just puddled along behind a fleet of coal trains. Today the dispatcher has found a way to weave the freight around the coal trains, possible because this is one train that can "solo the Hill", meaning it won't need helpers to surmount the 1.55% grade from Crawford to Belmont. That's one less train on his or her sheet and out of the way.
Rumford, So. Dak., 28 MAY'79
Two weeks after the last picture was taken, I'm held at the same place (behind the ranch crossing) and I step off the lead unit, SD40-2 7107, on my 13Y88 coal train to observe the eastbound freight #74 (Seattle to KC I believe) as it runs through the siding around us, with a hefty power set of U30c, SD40-2, U33c in the lead (5810-7110-5759.) Yes, it's in the siding. On the Alliance Division at that time, most of the 112lb. jointed rail was still in place on the main, while new, rebuilt or extended sidings got the heavier welded rail before the mainline was re-laid. The frustration of having a freight with good power was that you often just puddled along behind a fleet of coal trains. Today the dispatcher has found a way to weave the freight around the coal trains, possible because this is one train that can "solo the Hill", meaning it won't need helpers to surmount the 1.55% grade from Crawford to Belmont. That's one less train on his or her sheet and out of the way.